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Council directs staff to prepare amended insurance renewal including EMS vehicle values and expanded cyber option
Summary
An insurance presenter reviewed the city’s renewal packet and optional coverages; the council voted to direct staff to prepare a renewal that adds four EMS vehicles at agreed values and that includes an option to increase cyber liability to $1,000,000 with a $2,500 deductible for counsel review.
Ryan, an insurance representative working with the League program, told the Berlin Common Council that the city’s renewal is largely driven by exposure changes — more insured autos, an increase in total insured property value of about $3,000,000 and one workers’ compensation claim still in litigation.
The presenter said the general-liability rate is relatively flat, but exposure increases (for example an increase from 12 to 13 sworn officers and four added autos) and the experience modification factor for workers’ compensation account for the bulk of the premium rise. “It’s not your job to be the expert. It’s mine,” Ryan said while walking members through the packet.
Ryan described optional endorsements: a replacement-cost buyback for newer autos (quoted at $2,100 to cover four EMS vehicles) and various cyber liability increments. The baseline cyber throw-in is $25,000; Ryan said the policy can be expanded to a $1,000,000 cyber limit (third-party and ransomware coverages included through Tokyo Marine) for about $2,700 and recommended the $1,000,000 limit if the city qualifies.
Council members pressed for context on past losses and for a local count of sewer-backup claims before deciding on a costly no-fault sewer endorsement (the presenter said a typical no-fault sewer endorsement is $100,000 per occurrence / $300,000 aggregate and estimated Berlin’s cost would be just under $10,000 annually). Staff agreed to check local claims history with the department and return with those numbers.
After discussion about deductibles and qualifying security controls, Council Member [functional_label: Council member] moved to direct staff to amend the renewal documents to (1) include the four EMS vehicles at agreed value and (2) include the option to increase cyber liability to $1,000,000 with a $2,500 deductible and route the package to counsel for approval. The motion carried on a voice vote of council members who responded “aye.”
The council’s direction is procedural: staff will prepare the formal renewal documents and the packet will return for final approval following counsel review and the staff follow-up requested on local sewer-backup incidents.
