Protected Self-Insurance Is
A program to provide uniform property and blanket liability coverage under one comprehensive plan for all parishes, schools, agencies, and other entities as determined by the Diocesan Bishop.
The words “Diocese of Ogdensburg” used in this booklet include all parishes, diocesan and parochial schools, diocesan institutions, cemeteries, and other agencies comprising the Diocese of Ogdensburg. Religious Orders are not covered unless there is an agreement in place between the Order and the Diocese.
How the program works
Premiums collected by the Diocese of Ogdensburg will be retained to pay losses incurred, to purchase necessary legal, professional and administrative services, and to provide protection of the Program to cover a catastrophe or series of catastrophes (i.e. the purchase of Excess Insurance Policies).
Such a program demands an increased awareness of, and responsibility for, safety conditions and for the prompt correction of improper, hazardous or unsafe situations. The benefits of this awareness and responsibility will be obvious in the continued well-being and safety of the Diocese, the protection of its properties, and the eventual cost of the
To assist the Diocese in achieving the optimum safety conditions, our Insurance Office will provide inspections and safety services on a regular basis at all locations that are participating in the Protected Self-Insurance Program. At regular intervals, you will receive reports on these inspections. These reports may indicate remedial measures necessary at facilities under your control.
Who administers the program?
As a self-insured program all administrative safety inspection and claims handling is done by the:
Diocesan Insurance Office Spratt Memorial Building 604 Washington Street PO Box 369
Ogdensburg, NY 13669
For an emergency or to report a claim, telephone the Insurance Office at 315-393-2920 ext. 230 or fax at 1 -866-519-6423. For after hours emergencies contact cell phone 315-212-3471.
What is covered?
All property owned by the Diocese of Ogdensburg and all entities participating in the Protected Self-Insurance Program. This includes buildings, their contents and equipment, fine arts, money and securities.
Police Reports
All theft and vandalism losses must be reported to local police authorities immediately.
Every effort has been made to explain this Program clearly and consistently, without the use of technical language and insurance terms wherever possible. However, the Program is defined in explicit insurance policies. This means that should any questions ever arise about the nature and extent of the coverage, the formal language of the insurance policies (and not the informal wording of this booklet) necessarily must govern.
Insurance Certificates and Construction Contracts
All Insurance Certificates from contractors working on diocesan facilities verifying the contractor has General Liability and Workers’ Compensation Insurance coverage must be received in advance by the Insurance Office and the Office of the Diocesan Chancellor.
Construction Contracts which contain language indemnifying the parish and the diocese and also requiring that the parish and diocese be added as additional insureds to the Contractor’s Policy should also be forwarded in advance of the project to the Insurance Office and the Office of the Diocesan Chancellor. Copies of the Construction Contracts can be obtained through the Insurance Office.
Automobile I.D. Cards
Issued by the Insurance Office 315-393-2920 ext. 231.
Lease Agreements
Any parish or participating entity holding a lease agreement with an owner of non-diocesan property wherein the provisions of the lease stipulate that the parish or participating entity insuring the owner’s property should immediately inform the Insurance Office and forward a copy of the lease agreement for review.
Coverage is provided on an “All Risk Full Replacement Cost” basis. In general, the cost of repairing or replacing a building and/or its contents at the time of the loss determines the amount payable. If a building is not repaired/replaced to pre-loss status, then the coverage is on an “Actual Cash Value” basis.
Property of the contractors and their employees, such as tools, equipment, sheds, and machinery, is not covered.
Buildings
All buildings are covered to their full replacement cost on an All Risk basis with the exception of those church buildings which the local parish has formally decided wouldn’t be replaced in the event of a fire or major loss. These buildings previously approved by the Bishop were said to be “Flat Rated”. Effective 7-1 -2010 the Diocese replaced the Flat Rate program with the Modified Property Insurance Coverage which can be found as Document IV.29 in the Diocese of Ogdensburg Pastoral Handbook. This coverage provides for the cost of building demolition and site restoration for those buildings approved by the diocese that will not be replaced in the event of loss. Please refer to the above Pastoral Handbook section for a detailed description of this coverage. Buildings must be replaced to collect full replacement cost. Actual cash value, however, will be established and paid for buildings which are not replaced. Deductible: $500.
Contents
Coverage on contents is identical to the coverage provided for buildings: full replacement cost on All Risk Basis provided the contents are actually replaced. Priests’ personal belongings are insured on or off church premises to a stated limit of $15,000. The personal property of “Transitional Deacons” is also covered when they are residing on assigned diocesan premises. Contents of religious communities are covered on insured premises.
Deductible $500.
Burglary, Robbery, and Theft
Replacement cost protection on all property. Money and Securities are covered at each location. A police report must be made when a loss occurs in this category. Personal money, not church funds, is excluded from the program. Deductible: $500.
Glass
All Risk coverage is provided on all glass including school windows. Glass broken as a result of vandalism is covered on an occurrence basis. Losses cannot be accumulated over a period of time and presented as a single loss to offset the deductibles as called for in the Insurance Program. All glass losses must be reported immediately.
Deductible: $500. Fine Arts*
Stained and art glass, statues, paintings, and other art objects are covered on a current market value basis for participating entities in the Protected Self Insurance Program of the Diocese of Ogdensburg.
Lease contains provisions that call for the outside party to carry insurance naming the parish and Diocese as additional insureds.
If the use involved regular use of a parish room or building (for weekly or monthly meetings for example) then a Facilities Use Agreement should be executed. This agreement also calls for the party to carry insurance naming the parish and Diocese as additional insureds.
If the contemplated use is for a one time event of less than 72 hours for which it would be difficult/ impossible for a party to obtain insurance (such as a Wedding Reception or Anniversary Party etc.) then an Application for Special Events Liability
Coverage must be completed and forwarded to the
Insurance Office along with a premium of $100. The Diocese has purchased an insurance policy which will provide liability coverage for these events to the party holding the event, the parish and the Diocese, as long as the above application and premium is received prior to the event date.
All of the above documents in bold face are available at the Pastoral Documentation section of the Diocese of Ogdensburg’s website (www.dioogdensburg.org). Documents can be provided to you by the Insurance Office which will also be able to provide clarification and answer your questions on program/policy details.
Contractors Working on Church Property
Contractors working on Church property must provide Insurance Certificates showing current coverage to be in compliance with diocesan regulations. Also, without added charge to the diocese, contractors should provide the required “hold harmless” agreement in favor of the parish, or other entity and the Diocese of Ogdensburg contained in the written construction contract which must also require those entities be additional insured’s on the contractor’s policy.
Use of Facilities by Outside Groups
In order to deal with the increased liability risk involved in the use of parish facilities by outside parties, the Diocese enacted a Policy on Facilities Use distributed on January 8, 2010.
Anytime an outside group or party wishes to use parish facility for any purpose a Parish Facilities
Use Application should be completed by the party
and submitted to the pastor/administrator.
If the pastor/administrator determines that the use is part of the ministry or a parish sponsored activity, then none of the following provisions apply and there is liability coverage for the activity under the self insurance program.
If the use involves long term use of a specific building or part of a building on a continuous basis then a Lease Agreement should be executed. The
Deductible: $500. (*Appraisals should be on file for
these items.)
Sacred Vessels
All sacred vessels such as ciboria, monstrances, chalices, etc., which are owned by the parishes and other affiliated participating entities are fully covered.
Deductible: $500.
Priests’ Personal Property
Coverage includes the personal effects, fine arts and all sacred vessels of priests up to $15,000 worldwide.
This coverage is supplementary to individual polices. It is advisable to purchase personal effects insurance if an individual’s personal property exceeds coverage. Deductible: $500.
Water Damage
Protection includes damage caused by rising water, back-up of sewers, wind driven rain, overflow of streams or other bodies of water; as well as the accidental discharge or leak from the heating or plumbing systems within the confines of the building. While damage caused by such accidental discharge is covered, note that repairs to the heating or plumbing system itself would not be covered.
Deductible: $500.
Flood Damage and Earthquake
Protection includes flood damage coverage for all locations participating in the Protected Self Insurance Program.
Losses resulting from earthquake, landslides, earth sinking, rising, shifting or mine subsidence, are covered except normal settling, normal shrinkage or normal expansion in foundations, walls, floors or ceilings. Deductible: $500.
Boiler and Machinery
Properties with exposure of boilers or pressure vessels and air conditioning systems are included through specific commercial insurance coverage purchased through Travelers Insurance Company.
Deductible $2500
Travelers also provides the New York State required boiler inspection service every two years. When reporting a Boiler claim or requesting an inspection refer to Travelers Insurance Co., Policy MBJ-BMZ1 – 3833B381-TIL – 05. Inspection Requests and
Claims Reporting: Travelers (800-425-4119) or Fax (877-764-9535)
Third Party Liability Coverage
General Liability for personal injury, bodily injury, including property damage to persons other than employees, where the diocese, priests, parishes, institutions, cemeteries, and agencies, including volunteers covered by the Program may be held legally liable.
The following is included:
All special events officially sponsored by covered participants, including meetings, parties,
Claim reports will be accepted by phone, but State mandated claim forms C-2’s will be required and are available on line at the Diocesan website. Please report claims promptly so that the diocese can comply with the Compensation Law.
Claims Reports: Claim line 315-393-2920 ext. 231
Legal Actions
Knowledge or information on threatened legal action should be transmitted to the Insurance Office immediately. In the event of a lawsuit, all pertinent documentation including suit papers should be forwarded by registered mail to the Moderator of the Curia and the Diocesan Insurance Office as soon as they are received with a cover letter outlining any additional data that may be helpful. In addition, phone the Insurance Office immediately upon receipt of such documentation. 315-393-2920 ext. 230
Special Situations to be Considered Hired Equipment
Any hired buses, carnival equipment, etc., must be properly covered by insurance provided by the owner of such hired equipment. A Certificate of such insurance coverage must be obtained in advance from the owner by the parish, school, institution or agency contracting for the service. The parish, or other entity, and the Diocese of Ogdensburg must be named in the Certificates as “Additional Insured.”
Note: All coverages subject to limits, terms and conditions, exclusions, etc., of insurance policies in force at the time of loss.
How to report a loss
Prompt reporting is essential to our program.
Report ALL LOSSES AT ONCE to:
Insurance Office 604 Washington Street Ogdensburg, NY 13669 Phone: 315-393-2920 ext. 230 or 231 Fax: 1-866-519-6423 Property Losses
Report date and time of loss; nature of property damage; location of property, your estimate of loss. Take immediate action to prevent further damage to property.
Liability Claims
Report the date and time of accident; property and/or persons involved; location and nature of accident; names of witnesses; estimate of damage or injury; your opinion as to the propriety of the claim.
Workers’ Compensation
On employment connected injuries, advise the date, time and place of injury; the nature of injury and how incurred; treatment given, if any, and whether the employee is continuing to lose time from work.
bazaars, picnics, outings, etc., as determined by the priest of the parish.
The term “personal injury” includes bodily injury, libel, slander, false arrest, defamation of character, invasion of privacy, wrongful eviction, shock, and mental anguish, wrongful termination, errors and omissions and contractual liability on written contracts.
Directors and Officers Liability and School Board Liability of all participants is included.
Host Liability (Liquor)
Liquor liability is covered as defined by the statutes of the State of New York. This coverage applies only to affairs sponsored by entities participating in this Insurance Program.
Automobile Coverage
All vehicles owned by the Diocese of Ogdensburg, the parishes, and all other participating entities are covered.
Automobile Liability
All automobile liability involving vehicles insured in the Insurance Program is covered if the participating entity is held legally liable for bodily injury or property damage, arising out of the use of the vehicle. Auto liability coverage for personally owned vehicles of employees, including priests and religious, and volunteers is strictly excess over their personal auto policies.
Physical Damage
Collision coverage is provided for all covered vehicles of the current model year and five years prior. Coverage for collision is provided if the vehicle is damaged in a collision with another vehicle or object. No personally owned vehicles of volunteers or employees, including priests and religious, are covered for Physical Damage. Deductible: $500
Comprehensive
Coverage is provided for all repairs or replacement costs as a result of fire, vandalism, hail, windstorm, explosion, and theft of the vehicle itself. Deductible: $250
New York State PIP (No Fault) coverage is
provided per the provisions of that State Law.
Workers’ Compensation
All liability under the Workers’ Compensation statutes of the State of New York. Coverage is based on Law, and all benefits are paid as prescribed by law.
Claims Reporting: Claim line 315-393-2920 ext. 231
Fidelity
Coverage is provided for loss of money, securities, and property due to the infidelity of employees.
Deductible: $500.
What is excluded?
Property losses of a degenerative nature, i.e., wear and tear, deterioration, loss due to termites, corrosion, mold, mechanical or electrical breakdown
War risk, nuclear damage, dampness or variation of temperature
Loss by latent defect, condemnation of property
Pollution or contamination
Damage to trees, shrubbery
Aircraft
Watercraft over 25 feet
AIDS related claims
Assault and Battery, Criminal Acts
Personal Money or Securities
Privately owned property of third parties not in the care, custody, and control of a participating entity
Athletic and student accident medical reimbursement coverage has now been purchased on a Diocesan wide basis and should be reported directly to the Student Accident Insurance Carrier on forms provided to each school.
Claims related to the ownership, use or operation of any Trampoline
Lay Employee Disability (Administered by Human Resources Office)
Group Life, Major Medical, Blue Cross (Administered by Human Resources Office)
Medical Payments Coverage is not part of our Protected Self Insurance Program
![0602 Alarm Dispatch Narrative Location/Address: [LEO ] MARKET BASKET - 71 SACK BLVD](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==)