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County risk manager: weather, vehicle crashes and law‑enforcement exposure pushed premiums higher; safety steps underway
Summary
Arapahoe County risk staff said insurance premiums and property/auto liabilities rose as extreme weather, a fatal crash payout and repairing storm and hail damage drove claims. The county has raised deductibles, increased self‑insurance layers and expanded training to reduce repeat accidents and false claims.
Arapahoe County risk managers told commissioners that weather events, a high‑cost auto liability payout and law‑enforcement exposures are the main drivers in higher insurance expenses.
Shauna De Garza, the county risk manager, said the county’s overall insurance costs rose from roughly $700,000 in 2017 to about $2.6 million most recently. “We have increased that to $2,000,000 across the board,” she said, referring to higher deductible/self‑insured layers the county now carries.
What happened: risk staff described several recent loss trends. A 2024 payout of about $375,000 was associated with a fatal crash tied to a prior incident; a group of roughly 17 county vehicles were severely damaged during a hail and storm event; multiple buildings and rooftop glass were damaged in wind and hail claims; and repeated vandalism and theft occurred at some county properties. Property claims also included large‑tree and roof repairs at the Admin Building.
Workers’ compensation and preventive actions: De Garza said workers’ compensation claim volumes have declined overall, though the sheriff’s office remains the largest exposure. County programs to limit costs include a return‑to‑work program to place employees with medical restrictions into modified duties, telemedicine to reduce unnecessary emergency room costs, canine‑safety training for field staff, and defensive‑driving and backing trainings for vehicle operators.
False and nuisance claims: surveillance footage from county cameras helped deny or reduce several disputed slip‑and‑fall and theft claims, De Garza said. Facilities and risk staff said video evidence has materially lowered payouts on claims where footage showed the claimant was not on site or was not injured as alleged.
Insurance market dynamics and next steps: market‑wide increases in law‑enforcement liability payouts have narrowed available insurers and driven up costs. The county is working with its broker on options to reduce premiums for the next renewal and to evaluate whether additional self‑insurance or other programmatic changes are prudent. Risk staff asked commissioners to expect proposals and an earlier annual insurance procurement timeline this year.
Ending: commissioners praised risk, facilities and public safety staff for mitigation work. De Garza said the county will continue safety‑focused trainings and pursue options with the broker to manage premiums ahead of the next renewal.
