VMLIP: 2016 in review

2016 was another great year to be a member of VML Insurance Programs (VMLIP)!

Throughout 2016, VMLIP added additional coverages, resources and services for members; expanded our partnership with members to focus on risk management; closed numerous significant claims; and much more. Read about it in the overview below!

2016 Awards/Achievements:

  • Association of Governmental Risk Pools (AGRiP) 2016 Award for Excellence in Performance – for the pool’s leadership development program.
  • VMLIP was named a “Top Workplace” at the Sterling Workplace Awards Ceremony. VMLIP ranked 15 out of the top 35 companies in the “small company” category. The award was given based on employee survey responses.
  • VMLIP Director of Member Services, Jeff Cole, was named the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) of the Year by the Richmond CPCU Board.
  • The Government Finance Officers Association’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

Claims:

  • VMLIP provided a check for nearly $1 million to the Town of Bedford. The claim involved mechanical breakdown of a speed increaser at the town’s Snowden Hydroelectric Facility.
  • VMLIP profiled the recovery of Mac McCutchan with the Pepper’s Ferry Wastewater Treatment Authority in the January, 2016 Pooling Matters. McCutchan recovered from a serious workers’ compensation injury.
  • VMLIP provided payment of $463,252 to the Washington County Service Authority for a large claim related to their Mill Creek Membrane Water Treatment Plant.
  • VMLIP profiled former police officer-turned author, Christopher Barcomb, in the Spring Pooling Matters newsletter.
  • VMLIP paid more than $2 million to the Town of Pennington Gap to replace the town hall building. A 2015 fire completely destroyed the facility.
    VMLIP saved $5.2 million for our members through workers’ compensation medical management savings. Additionally, 84 percent of workers’ compensation claims were reported through NT24, an increase of one percent from last year.
  • 82 percent of prescriptions filled for workers’ compensation claims were for generic medication
  • 300 prescriptions were filled through VMLIP’s First-Fill Prescription Program, and VMLIP recovered $1.4 million for our members through subrogation/restitution efforts.
  • Through the Opioid Defense Manager program, significant workers’ compensation savings have been seen, including one claimant whose prescription costs went from $950 per month to just over $100 per month. Additional claims have been settled using ODM.

Underwriting:

  • VMLIP began offering drone liability coverage with a $1 million limit. Members purchasing this coverage must schedule drones and be in compliance with state and federal drone regulations, in order for liability coverage to apply.
  • Rates for property and liability coverage decreased by an average of four percent.
  • VMLIP began offering enhanced cyber coverage. Previously, the pool offered free coverage with a $1 million liability limit and a $250,000 data breach expense sublimit. VMLIP now offers two options: $1 million with a $500,000 data breach expense sublimit, and $2 million with a $1 million data breach sublimit.
  • Underwriting staff participated with meetings between representatives of the Virginia Compensation Board to discuss providing Constitutional Officers with an alternative to VARisk for purchasing public officials’ liability coverage. For more information on any of these updates, contact your underwriter.

Focus on Staff Development

To continue providing members with the best in service and partnership, the pool continues to focus on staff development. Staff members earning accreditation or designations this year include:

  • Ann Chandler: Associate in Underwriting (AU)
  • Michelle White: Associate in Claims (AIC)
  • Tiffany Clouse: Associate in Claims (AIC) & Associate in General Insurance (AINS)
  • Robin Duvall: Associate in Claims (AIC)
  • Jennifer Moore: Associate in Claims (AIC)
  • Connie Myers: Associate in Claims (AIC)

In addition to winning the 2016 Award for Excellence in Performance from AGRiP, the leadership program concluded with the graduation of eight members this December.

(L to R): Wendy Rice, Jennifer Moore, Lisa Davis, Nicole Jennings, Lisa Schenk, Pam Pitts, Marcus Hensel, Kari Soniat

Risk Management

  • The Risk Management Guidelines (RMG) assessment was updated to remove the online training requirement for Tier III, as well as the hands-free mobile device requirement for law enforcement members from all tiers.
  • Launched the new Slips, Trips and Falls initiative for law enforcement officers.
  • Partnered with SiteHawk as our Safety Data Sheet (SDS) vendor of choice. Members can now purchase plans at a discounted rate.
  • Added external learning event management and policy acknowledgement tools to the VMLIP Online University.
  • The safety services team has purchased two drones and now has two certified pilots in-house. The drones and pilots will be available to members seeking to utilize drones in their operations for guidance and instruction.
  • VMLIP partnered with Risk-Based Security to offer members access to YourCISO, an information security risk management portal that allows members to access information security resources and consulting, in addition to a risk assessment and information security best practices guide.
  • VMLIP began conducting a local risk management review with a member city to determine risk areas that may impact operations and goals of their strategic plan.