District’s insurance agent says market is tight but shopping saved about $56,000

An independent insurance agent told the Pearl River County School District board that the market for school insurance in the state is narrow and that competition among carriers is limited, but that targeted marketing across brokers produced a roughly $56,000 premium decrease for the district this year.

"We were able to bring in 56,000, decrease," the insurance agent said, noting that a handful of carriers and large wholesale brokers now dominate the market and that some national carriers have declined to write school business. The agent advised the board that property limits and liability structures have hardened across the market and stressed the budgeting challenges created by higher valuations and more frequent litigation.

The agent described common loss‑prevention measures—dash cams for fleet vehicles, risk‑management consulting and careful decisions about total‑loss limits. He said the district’s $500,000 limit for certain coverages remains typical in the state but that defense costs are often paid in addition to policy limits.

Board members pressed about coverage options and carrier appetite. The agent listed carriers that were part of the marketing effort and cautioned that property market conditions and increased litigation have driven premium increases over recent years.

The presentation concluded with a reminder that while shopping produced savings this cycle, long‑term cost pressures (inflation in materials and labor, higher valuations and increased litigation) mean the district should continue risk‑management efforts and plan for higher future costs.

The presentation was followed by routine procedural votes and the hearing moved on to consent and executive‑session items.