Firefighters are typically the first ones to respond to many emergencies. They put themselves at risk to protect those in their communities. In the line of duty, they face unique challenges that can lead to potential liability risks. That’s why fire departments need excess liability coverage. Understanding the risks they face and the benefits of liability coverage will help you craft policies that meet your clients’ needs with adequate protection.
What Is Excess Liability Coverage?
Excess liability is supplementary insurance that extends beyond standard liability limits. Primary liability coverage addresses a wide range of liabilities, but excess liability policies provide coverage for losses that exceed those limits.
Most fire departments have primary liability as part of their standard property and casualty or firefighter insurance, but they can benefit from additional liability limits to ensure adequate coverage in the event of potentially costly losses.
Why Fire Departments Need Excess Liability Coverage
Fire departments encounter many unique challenges and unusual risks in the course of their business. For example:
- Inherent dangers: Some of the inherent dangers of their role include things such as building collapses, hazardous material exposure, and smoke inhalation.
- Property damage: In the course of fighting fires and responding to emergencies, fire departments may inadvertently cause property damage and face liability for that damage.
- Legal claims: Sometimes fire departments face legal claims related to property damage, wrongful death, injuries, or accidents resulting from their emergency response efforts.
Excess liability coverage helps departments supplement their existing liability coverage to ensure adequate protection in the event of serious liability or legal claims. With proper insurance coverage, fire departments can better protect their financial stability.
Types of Claims Covered
Fire departments can face a variety of claims that these policies may cover. Injury claims for civilians or firefighters injured during fire operations can add up quickly. Property damage claims, whether for structural damage, vehicles, or personal property, could cost the department significantly as well. In addition, wrongful death claims might leave the department facing costly settlements.
Excess liability policies help departments offset the costs associated with these types of claims. In many cases, the value of the claim exceeds that of the standard liability limits or the department’s property insurance can’t cover everything. Your fire department clients can get policies that offset the cost of judgments, settlements, legal defense costs, and similar expenses in the event of a claim.
Helping your fire department clients appreciate the value of sufficient liability coverage can ensure they get sufficient coverage for their risk exposure. Adequate coverage is not just beneficial but necessary for financial protection. Departments can more effectively focus their efforts on the community when they don’t have the financial concerns associated with costly liability claims.
About Provident Fire Plus
At Provident Fire Plus, we offer custom-tailored packages to best protect firefighters and volunteer firefighters. We understand the risks that emergency response teams are subjected to on a daily basis and have worked to serve these dedicated professionals for over 87 years. For more information about our products and policies, we invite you to contact our experts today at (855) 201-8880.