Christian County Commission approves insurance renewal amid rising deductibles and claims

Christian County commissioners voted June 24 to renew the county's property and casualty insurance, after a presentation from an insurance representative who warned the county is in a "hard insurance market" and faces higher deductibles and premium increases.

The renewal was approved during the Christian County Commission meeting after the insurance presentation and discussion of recent large claims, current five-year claim trends and potential steps that could lower future premiums.

The county heard that total claims paid by the carrier over the roughly five-year period ending June 30 totalled "a little over $2,500,000," while total premium intake over that period was "just over $2,100,000," producing a loss ratio the presenter said is currently about 120 percent. The presenter described several large items contributing to that figure, including a recently settled $1.4 million claim and a separate total loss of a John Deere grader of about $210,000.

The presenter, Greg, said the county's insurer proposed a roughly 21 percent increase for the coming year and listed a range of deductible changes the underwriters are requiring. "Our law enforcement liability is jumping up to $800,000 in a deductible," Greg said, and "auto liability" deductibles would move to $500,000. He also said the county's law enforcement liability premium is about $76,000 under the current quote.

Commissioners and staff discussed how the county currently allocates deductible and claim costs to departments. Amy (county staff) was described as the person who receives bills and tracks which department should pay a deductible once claims are closed; Greg confirmed he marks the department on the invoice when a claim settles. Commissioners noted a large auto-liability hit would likely fall on the sheriff's office budget if the claim is tied to a patrol vehicle.

Commissioners asked whether law-enforcement vehicles and personnel could be insured separately from the county fleet to isolate the fiscal effect; Greg said he had already explored that option and that it had been difficult to find a carrier willing to write law-enforcement coverage separate from the county.

Several commissioners raised the role of in-car and body cameras in underwriting. Greg and other commissioners said some carriers are requiring or favoring agencies with dash and body cameras because recordings can reduce litigation exposure; Greg said some carriers declined to quote because the county lacks a comprehensive camera program. Commissioners directed Greg to survey other counties and report back on how many have dash/body cameras and what their pursuit policies are. Greg said he would contact Mac in Jefferson City and put a survey to other counties with sheriffs to gather that information.

Commissioners also heard that workers' compensation is trending positively: Greg said the county's workers'comp premium decreased about 8 percent, a change attributed to training and return-to-work practices. Miranda (county staff) and others were credited in the meeting for training and safety programs that, according to Greg, drove down lost-time claims and lowered workers'comp exposure.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to renew the policy. The motion was seconded and passed. The commission then instructed Greg to finalize paperwork; Greg said he could sign the renewal.

Separately, later in the meeting commissioners voted unanimously to move into a closed session citing RSMO 610.021.0.3 (personnel) and RSMO 610.021.0.1 (litigation). That motion passed on roll call: Western Commissioner Don Williams, "Aye"; Eastern Commissioner Bradley Jackson, "Aye"; Presiding Commissioner Limor, "Aye."