The Andover City Council voted unanimously on Nov. 13 to approve the city’s 2026 workers’ compensation, property and liability insurance renewals with EMC, VFIS and Coalition in the combined amount of $558,499.

Lance Spence, a broker with USI, told the council the market is stabilizing but remains challenging for property coverage. He recommended staying with EMC because the company offered a flat property deductible of $75,000 and because a workers’ compensation deductible would not be reported below the deductible threshold to the NCCI experience-modification calculation. Spence said that, on a historical snapshot, the proposed deductible level would have eliminated about 20 claims over three years and materially reduced long-term premium through a lower experience mod.

Council members questioned the $43,000 difference in quoted premium between Travelers and EMC and asked whether unused deductible funds are returned. Spence said there is a limited premium credit for having a deductible and that the long-term benefit is controlling the experience-mod factor; he also noted EMC may pay dividends to policyholders that can reduce net cost.

Councilmember (speaker 6) moved to approve the renewal and deductible structure as outlined; the motion was seconded and carried 6-0.

The motion recorded the total premium amount as $558,499 and named EMC as the recommended primary insurer for property placement. The council did not adopt additional contract language at the meeting; staff and the broker will finalize policy documents.