NLADA INSURANCE PROGRAM STRENGTHENS ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE TO THE LEGAL SERVICES COMMUNITY

Offering Product Enhancements and Premium Relief

 

What is the NLADA Insurance Program?

The NLADA Insurance Program, formed in 1994, serves as the advocate and provider of quality professional liability insurance products for the full spectrum of the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) membership community— including individual attorneys, legal aid organizations, public defenders, corporate pro bono law programs, law school clinics, individual clients and public interest groups. Today, 1,100 NLADA members nationwide purchase an array of quality professional liability insurance products from the NLADA Insurance Program. The NLADA Insurance Program offers superlative coverage by the Hanover Insurance Group, an established domestic insurer with financial ratings of “A” or Excellent. Wells Fargo Insurance Services, USA, Inc. serves as our broker. The NLADA Insurance Program’s knowledge, experience and dedication to the equal justice community is unparalleled in the insurance market; we advocate for competitive pricing and product excellence on behalf of your specialized insurance needs. We treat our policyholders as investors; reinvesting our net proceeds back into the Equal Justice community in the form of training and support of NLADA national and community initiatives. We’re committed to expanding to meet your changing needs, ensuring you receive the best coverage, price and service available, today and in the future. Since our entrance in the market the average insurance costs per attorney have been cut in half. The NLADA Insurance Program is a nonprofit subsidiary of NLADA.

 

Why should I buy professional liability insurance from the NLADA Insurance Program?

The NLADA Insurance Program – Treats you as an Investor. Serves as Your Insurance Advocate.

The NLADA Insurance Program:

• Keep market prices competitive and stable. Since our entrance in the market the average insurance costs per attorney have been cut in half.
• Provide top quality products and insurance advocacy:  Our knowledge, experience and dedication to the equal justice community is unparalleled in this insurance market.
• Support important NLADA and Equal Justice Community Initiatives: Our net proceeds are re-invested in the equal justice community. In these challenging economic times, NLADA is working harder than ever to support you in providing quality legal representation to people who can’t afford counsel.

 

What premium relief and product enhancements is the NLADA Insurance Program offering in this scarce resource environment?

We’re processing renewals and new applications four months out from policy expiration dates, offering these enhancements:

1.       Premium Relief Immediately

• We’re aggressively advocating The Hanover to meet or beat competitive bids, where financially sound underwriting permits.

2. Ease of Application: Beginning June 2011.

• You’ll be able to apply for your policy online--your application, quoting, binding and policy issuance electronically processed. 

3. Risk Management Training and Materials to Reduce Risks and Premiums and Improve Coverage-- Tailored to the Specialized Needs of the Equal Justice Community: Beginning June 2011

• No cost online access to NLADA Insurance Program Risk Management Resource Center that includes: online risk management materials --customizable management policy guidelines and forms for particular program needs, local impact requirements and professional liability.
• Phase 11, Oct 1, online access to risk management development training and material.

 

Who is the NLADA Insurance Program's broker?

Wells Fargo Insurance Services, Inc., the fifth largest insurance brokerage firm in the world, whose presence in the program assures NLADA Insurance Program policyholders’ interests are always effectively represented in the commercial insurance marketplace.

 

Who is the underwriter for the NLADA Insurance Program?

The Hanover Insurance Group (“The Hanover”) as the underwriter for The NLADA Insurance Program. The Hanover is an excellent carrier that is financially stable with assets in the billions, and a financial rating of “A” or “Excellent.” CNA will continue as the underwriter for the full policy period where there is an inception date of December 31, 2010 or earlier but will no longer be authorized to underwrite any NLADA Insurance Program policies with a later inception date.

 

Why did the NLADA Insurance Program decide to change underwriters to The Hanover?

Our chief role is to be an advocate for our policyholders; we’re constantly looking for ways to retool and upgrade our insurance program to meet your needs today and in the future. The Hanover is an underwriting company that shares both our current and future goals who:

1. Is committed to investing in the long-term growth and success of the NLADA Insurance Program. Our ability to keep your premiums down and continue to ensure quality coverage depends on our competitive position in the marketplace.
2. Gives us greater access to risk management and loss prevention products, as well as increased pricing flexibility, customized coverage and superior service.
3. Enthusiastically collaborates with us to design for the future by setting up an operational program of systems and structures using advanced technology to get us there.

 

How does the transition to The Hanover benefit NLADA Insurance Program policyholders?

We choose The Hanover as our underwriter for the following reasons:

1. Sound financial strength, excellent ratings, professional liability expertise and strong management. The Hanover, an “A” (Excellent) rated company is financially stable with assets in the billions, maintains a strong balance sheet and capital position, has a conservative investment philosophy and an experienced team in professional liability products and services.
2. Aligned vision. The Hanover is supportive of the NLADA Insurance Program’s objective to be an advocate for our policyholders by increasing participation in the program. Also, The Hanover provides greater opportunity for the NLADA Insurance Program to participate more extensively in influencing and streamlining the underwriting process, including underwriting guidelines, which ultimately benefits all members.
3. Excels in risk management and technology. The Hanover will partner with us to design specific risk management programs that will benefit our policyholders. They are committed to upgrading and enhancing our operational systems and technology to better serve you today and in the future.
4. Meets and will broaden our coverage features. As our collaboration with The Hanover develops, you can expect the NLADA Insurance Program to offer enhanced coverages.

 

 

 

I buy my insurance through a broker.  What do I need to do to renew with the NLADA Insurance Program or apply if I’m not currently insured with the NLADA Insurance Program?

If you use a broker, please let them know that we will compete vigorously for your business.

 

 

IF CNA IS MY UNDERWRITER FOR 2010 AND INTO 2011, WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE MY POLICY EXPIRES AND I RENEW WITH THE NLADA INSURANCE PROGRAM?

 

How do I renew my policy with the NLADA Insurance Program?

You’ll be receiving shortly, or may have already received your renewal policy from the NLADA Insurance Program. You need only to sign and send it back to the address indicated on the form, as you would normally have done.

 

How will it affect my premium?

We’re aggressively advocating The Hanover to meet or beat competitive bids, where financially sound underwriting permits.

 

When will my current NLADA Insurance Program policy transition to The Hanover?

Policies that have an effective date of January 1, 2011 and beyond will be underwritten by The Hanover. Policies with an effective date through December 31, 2010 will continue to be issued through CNA and expire in 2011.

 

I received a notice of non-renewal and policy termination from CNA what do I need to do?

CNA NON-RENEWAL NOTICE: NO ACTION NEEDED ON YOUR PART

As required by law, you will or have already received a Notice of Non-Renewal and policy termination from CNA regarding your policy’s expiration.  This is just a formality. No action on your part is required nor has any change been made to your insurance policy. It simply means that NLADA Insurance no longer uses CNA as its insurance carrier for policies that expire and are up for renewal. Rest assured that all pending claims will continue to be handled by CNA. Please be sure to file ALL CLAIMS and KNOWN POTENTIAL CLAIMS with CNA before the 2011 expiration date of your current CNA policy. If you have any questions, hear conflicting information or are contacted by a CNA broker, please call your NLADA Insurance Program representative. Your renewal process is already underway; we’re here to serve you.

 

What do I need to do about filing current claims before the 2011 expiration date of my CNA Policy?

IMPORTANT: Be sure to file ALL CLAIMS and KNOWN POTENTIAL CLAIMS with CNA before the 2011 expiration date of your CNA policy. Please canvas your employees to ensure you are aware of all possible claims and circumstances. Although CNA will no longer be the underwriter for the NLADA Insurance Program, they remain obligated to all terms and conditions of existing policies underwritten by CNA.

 

Why did the NLADA Insurance Program terminate its relationship with CNA as its underwriter?

We terminated our relationship with CNA because we found it wasn’t amenable to improving its products and services to meet your changing and specialized needs today and in the future.

 

We’re committed to making the transition to The Hanover as your underwriting company smooth and seamless for you. Your policy underwritten by CNA will remain in effect until its expiration. The Hanover will underwrite your NLADA Insurance Program policy effective in 2011.

 

 

 

Please contact the NLADA Insurance Program with questions or comments.
1140 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036,
(800) 725-4513 or (202) 452-9870 FAX (202) 452-9879

 

 

.