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Benefits & Protection for
Members
Professional Liability
Insurance
Legal Representation
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All
member benefit programs are included in IPE's affordable annual
membership dues. There
are no additional charges for these. This insurance package is
designed specifically for active members and student members of
the Indiana Professional Educators, Inc.
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| General
Information |
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Professional
Liability Insurance
What
activities are covered?
IPE's
insurance policy states, "the phrase activities of the
insured in his/her professional capacity, wherever used, shall
mean activities of the insured in his/her duties...., subject to
the exclusions of this policy."
What activities are not covered?
Although
this is not inclusive of all conditions and limitations under the
policy, the major areas not covered are:
Activities
not conducted in the insured's professional capacity.
Liability
related to an insured's own injury, worker's compensation,
unemployment or disability benefits.
An
insured acting as a school board member or similarly constituted
body.
When does the coverage begin?
Coverage
begins when the member's application is received in the IPE
office. If the occurrence or incident occurs during the
policy period the insured is always covered for this act even if
the policy is discontinued at a later date.
Questions and answers?
Please
contact the IPE office for more
information on the IPE member insurance coverage, claims or legal
assistance.
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Coverage
A
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Broad
Insuring Clause Liability, $1,000,000 Applies
A
True Professional Liability Policy
In
the event an IPE member is alleged to have caused injury or damage
to others while performing his/her professional duties.
Errors
and omissions insurance for claims for damages arising out of a
member's duties as a professional educator.
The only
criminal act insured under Coverage A is corporal punishment. Any
other criminal action is covered under Coverage B with a limit of
$10,000 for defense purposes only.
Incidents
involving alleged civil rights or constitutional violations are
covered under Coverage A where claims for monetary damages are
made.
Note:
The duty of the insurer to defend extends even to groundless,
false and frivolous suits and accusations.
What
does the policy pay? Up
to $1,000,000 per occurrence, plus legal expense....win
or lose.
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Coverage
B
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Attorney
Fees
$10,000
applies
This
coverage provides reimbursement of attorney fees in a broad range
of situations not included in Coverage A. This includes criminal
charges other than corporal punishment, allegations or sexual
misconduct, and employment related actions against an educator
involving dismissal, revocation of certification, and other
professional rights and duties.
In actions
involving, for example, termination, salary, reassignment,
certification or resignation, the matter in dispute must be
resolved in favor of the member to qualify for the full
reimbursement of $10,000. However, $500 of this amount is
available for initial consultation and research, whether or not
the member prevails, to determine if there exists a reasonable
chance of the case being resolved in the member’s favor.
What
does the policy pay? Up
to $10,000 per member per claim.
Note:
IPE insurance does not provide legal assistance for suits
initiated by the member.
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| Coverage
C |
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Payment
of Premiums on Bail Bonds
What
does the policy pay?
Up
to $1,000 premium on bail bonds.
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| Special
Features |
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Corporal
Punishment
The
policy wording with respect to corporal punishment is vital to the
professional educator. Relevant sections of the policy make it
clear that coverage under A ($1,000,000 limit plus defense costs)
regardless of whether the act be deemed civil or criminal.
Furthermore, the customary exclusion of damages resulting from
intentional acts has been carefully worded to clarify that
corporal punishment is covered even though intentional.
Outside
Activities
As long as the educator is within the
scope of his/her professional duties, the policy covers liability
for injury to students and others while the educator is conducting
visits to industrial and commercial establishments, entertaining
centers, outings, picnics, and other similar school functions,
subject to specific automobile, watercraft, and aircraft
exclusions.
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This brief description of the policy is to provide
information only to IPE members and in no way alters or modifies the
policy on file with IPE.
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