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Professional Liability Insurance NOTE: All member benefits 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.
General Information		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.
Coverage A		Broad Insuring Clause Liability, $1,000,000 Applies A True Professional Liability Policy In the event of an IPE member being 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.
Coverage B		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.
Coverage C		Payment of Premiums on Bail Bonds What does the policy pay for? Up to $1,000 premium on bail bonds.
Special Features		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.

This brief description of the policy is to provide information only to members and in no way alters or modifies the policy on file with IPE.