It is a pleasure to present the policy and procedures guidelines for the Diocesan Self-Insurance Program. As many of you know, we are celebrating the 45th year our Self-Insurance Program and over the years, each and every institution of the Diocese has shared in the success of this program through stable insurance rates and excellent insurance coverage.
Over four decades ago, it became evident that Protected Self-Insurance was the most practical and responsible way to insure our properties and provide liability insurance for all entities within the diocese. The program was instituted after extensive research and recommendations by a special committee of the Diocese. At the time of its inception, the Program provided more insurance and greater coverage than any previous program, and I am happy to report that the Program continues to provide this excellent vehicle of protection.
We feel that the success of this Program is due in large part to the conscious awareness of all our pastors and administrators that this plan is our own. While it is true the diocese is protected from catastrophic loss through the purchase of higher levels of insurance, the self-insured portion has been protected by the excellent and faithful cooperation of our pastors and administrators. This effort to guard against loss has provided benefits to all parishes and institutions as well as all of the people of the diocese.
Please study the outline of the Program as contained in this website. May I ask you to give particular attention to the procedures to be followed with respect to reporting claims. Prompt and accurate reporting is of great benefit in containing the cost of claims. Also helpful in this regard is your assistance in securing the proper verification of insurance from non-parish groups using your premises.
Again, may I congratulate each and every participant in the Diocesan Protected Self-Insurance Program. Your conscientious cooperation is deeply appreciated.
Faithfully yours,
Most Reverend Robert Joseph Cunningham
Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse
Office of Facilities Management
Executive Insurance Committee
Bishop Robert J. Cunningham
John Mirabito, Chairman
Members
Danielle Cummings Tony D’Amato Msgr. Timothy Elmer
Joe Headd Bill Doran Scott Kelso
Kimberly Townsend Dave Wyman Dan Walker
Staff: Stephen Breen, Paul Devlin, Carol Pieklik, Jim Bliss
Guests: Bob Connor, Tim Tumulty
Stephen Breen, Chairman
Mark Barlow William Crist
Tim Tumulty Jessica Wojick
Paul Devlin Robert Connor
Scott Kelso
WHAT PROTECTED SELF-INSURANCE MEANS
Under Protected Self-Insurance, the Diocese assumes responsibility for all claims.
In effect, this means that every parish or agency is sharing in the payment of claims through its premiums.
It means also that the amount of premium paid will have a direct relationship to the amount of claims paid.
Such a program demands an increased awareness and responsibility for safety conditions, and the correction of improper,
hazardous or unsafe situations. The benefits of such awareness will be a reduction in total claims, and a continued savings
in the cost of insurance to all parishes and agencies. We maintain very high levels of Self-Insurance Retention.
Above these levels we have purchased various levels of Excess Insurance to cover against large catastrophes.
Our program must, therefore, be managed in accordance with the recognized principles and practices of underwriting
and claims adjustment that is required under the terms of our excess policies.
ADVANTAGES
TO EACH PARISH- All Risk Coverage
- No co-insurance requirement
- All Properties fully protected
- Newly acquired properties automatically insured
- Liability exposures fully protected
- All parishes organizations and activities protected
- Automatic coverage for Parish and Diocesan events
- Favorable costs
The management of our Program is closely monitored by our excess carriers, the State of New York Insurance Department, the Motor Vehicle Bureau, and the Workers’ Compensation Board. It is a great privilege to be allowed to self-insure in the State of New York, but it is a privilege we can lose if we do not continually comply with the strict requirements.
Teamwork is clearly a vital ingredient to a successful Risk Management Program. This Risk Management team is all of us working together to make the Diocese of Syracuse, a safe place in which to carry out our Christian mission.
- All loss adjustments – Claims Investigation – Claim Settlements
- A complete Safety Program – including Safety Inspections of all locations
- Calculation of all Parish charges
- Collection of claims against others
- Consultation on all insurance matters
- Safe Environment Program
- Facilities Management; In-House Water/Fire Mitigation Program
- Building Appraisals
- All Buildings, Parish and Diocesan owned
- All Contents, Parish and Diocesan owned
- Workers’ Compensation and Employers Liability
- General Liability
- Directors and Officers Liability
- Errors and Omissions Liability
- Employer Practices Liability
- School Board Legal Liability
- Sexual Misconduct Liability
- Auto Liability and No-Fault Diocesan owned vehicles
- Auto Physical Damage Diocesan owned vehicles (including glass)
- Theft of Money and Securities
- Cyber Insurance
- Fiduciary Liability
- Fine Arts
- Glass (Stained and Plate)
- Sacred Vessels
- Priest and Sisters Personnel Belongings ($25,000)
- Priests Personal Liability ($300,000)
- New Construction - Builders Risk (if applicable)
- Special Events
- All Parish Organizations
- Fidelity and Surety
- Flood and Earthquakes
- Boiler and Machinery
- Student Accident Insurance
- CYO Sports Accident Insurance
- Terrorism Insurance
- Foreign Casualty Insurance
WHAT IS EXCLUDED
- All personally-owned vehicles
- Property loss of a degenerative nature (wear and tear, deterioration, rust, corrosion)
- War Risk and Nuclear Damage
- The first $2750 of each Property loss (effective July 1, 2019)
- The first $1000 of each Auto Physical Damage loss
- The first $5000 each Boiler and Machinery loss (effective July 1, 2019)
- Pollution
- Asbestos
- Trampolines, Inflatables/Bounce Houses, Pyrotechnics (Fireworks)
- Fungi (Mold)
- Seepage
- Wet or Dry Rot
- Contraction/Expansion/Settling/Cracking of Pavement, Foundations, Walls, Floors, etc.
- Underground piping, cables; ground movement resulting in damage, sink holes
- Animals, Termites, or other insects
- Mechanical breakdown
- Loss due to faulty design or workmanship
- Use of Drones