Frequently Asked Questions
Strike Insurance:
How Do I Apply For Strike Insurance?
UIC provides a detailed application. To be insured during the entire insurance year (April 1 – April 1) or any portion thereof an applicant must apply and pay for the amount of the per diem indemnity desired using the appropriate application, plus the Union Organizing Defense endorsement, if desired. A specimen policy can be e-mailed to you upon request.
What if I Wish to Increase the Amount of Insurance in Force on the Covered Workplace?
If eligible to apply for an increase, simply show the amount of additional per diem indemnity desired on the appropriate application or renewal invoice, sign and submit the applicable Class I or II premium for said amount to UIC.
What if I Wish to Cover Additional Plants?
Depending on circumstances, additional plants may or may not be eligible for inclusion under one Certificate of Insurance. Additional information will need to be provided in order to determine eligibility.
How Much Insurance Should I Have?
Applicants should have at least the minimum recommended per diem indemnity. Each insured must, however, decide their appropriate level of insurance. To assist you in your selection you should review the "Suggested Per Diem Indemnity Table" on the reverse side of the application or renewal invoice forms. These tables show the minimum amount suggested for 25 and 50 day insurance coverage for your volume of gross receipts or sales - less returns or allowances - in the last completed fiscal year derived from the business conducted at the plants or other facilities to which the insurance applies.
When Does Coinsurance Apply?
Applicants should carry at least the minimum recommended per diem indemnity. However, only you can decide the appropriate level of insurance. Attached with the application and renewal invoice form is the “Suggested Per Diem Indemnity Table,” designed to assist you with your insurance coverage election. In the event you opt to insure for a per diem indemnity amount less than that suggested in the table, the coinsurance formula shall automatically apply to any covered loss.
What Types of Claims are Covered Through UIC’s Strike Insurance Policy?
The Strike Insurance policy provides coverage for financial loss during and by reason of partial suspension of the business conducted by the insured at the workplace(s) designated in the Certificate of Insurance caused by a strike not exceeding the sum of the fixed charges, ordinary business expenses that necessarily continue and net profit. Indemnity is payable for the actual loss sustained on and after the seventh consecutive business day of each strike.
How Will UIC Handle My Claim?
In the event of a strike at a covered workplace, you must furnish satisfactory evidence to UIC that the per diem indemnity claimed is not greater than the actual loss sustained. UIC will appoint a U.S. claims counsel and retain an independent certified public accountant to work with you to evaluate and settle your claim in a timely manner. No policyholder has ever been disappointed with UIC’s handling of a claim.
Can Interim Payments Be Made Prior to Claim Settlement?
If a strike continues beyond the six (6) business day waiting period and the length of time the business of the insured will be totally or partially suspended cannot be determined or agreed upon, UIC may make interim indemnity payments in amounts as seem reasonable to UIC, the U.S. claims counsel and the certified public accountant. These payments will be incorporated into the final adjustment of the claim.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI):
How Do I Apply For EPLI?
UIC provides a detailed application. Based on your responses and appropriate follow-up, UIC will provide you with an indication of premium, usually within 24 hours. This indication of premium in no way commits you to purchasing the insurance. Instead, it is to be used as a basis for comparing premium quotes from other insurance companies. We believe when you make your comparison, you will find UIC’s EPLI policy stands above the rest in terms of cost, coverage and service. A specimen policy can be e-mailed to you upon request.
Can I Purchase EPLI With Varying Levels of Coverage and Deductibles?
The EPLI policy was designed with the flexibility to offer different levels of liability limits and deductibles. You may choose an amount of coverage between $25,000 and $2,000,000, with varying deductibles between $2,500 and $100,000. Premiums are calculated on these two factors as well as prior claims history, employee count and state in which you are located. NOTE: There is a minimum deductible of $10,000 for companies with 100 or more employees.
What Types of Claims are Covered Through UIC’s EPLI Policy?
The EPLI policy provides coverage for financial losses, including defense costs, due to employment related acts of wrongful discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual discrimination), national origin, pregnancy, age (40 or older), and disability. It also covers wrongful termination, libel, slander, defamation, invasion of privacy, false arrest, false imprisonment, wrongful eviction, demotion, retaliation and negligent evaluation.
Who Constitutes an “Employee” Under This Policy?
In addition to applicants for employment, “employees” under UIC’s policy include current or former employees, either full-time, part-time, temporary, or leased, but does not include independent contractors.
What Constitutes a Loss?
A loss is the amount an insured is legally obligated to pay on account of any claim or claims covered by the policy, including judgments, damages, awards, settlements, pre and post judgment interest, and defense costs. Most recently, the EPLI policy coverage features were enhanced to include punitive damages, which are not necessarily covered under other insurance company policies. Seventeen states currently do not allow for punitive damages, therefore, these damages would not be covered under domestic insurance company policies. UIC’s policy, however, will cover punitive damages regardless of state law because of its off-shore status.
What is Included in Defense Costs?
Defense costs are those costs incurred for the initial charge investigation, settlement or defense of a claim, including attorney’s fees and associated expenses, subject to the limits of liability.
Can I Choose My Own Attorney to Represent Me in the Event of a Claim?
Unlike other policies where the insurance companies have attorneys representing their best interest, UIC’s policy allows the insured to select and appoint counsel for such defense providing the insurance company shall retain the right to approve, in advance, such counsel.
How Will UIC Handle My Claim?
UIC has a Customer Service team that will hold your hand through the claims process should a claim occur against your company.
UIC’s Risk Management and Legal teams have one objective - to resolve claims as quickly as possible for its policyholders. This is accomplished by ensuring that you are legally represented in a professional manner, thereby reducing total defense costs, and preventing a bad perception in the community for your company.
No policyholder has ever been disappointed with UIC’s handling of a claim.
Can Interim Payments Be Made Prior to Claim Settlement?
UIC may, in its sole discretion, make interim payments upon the occurrence of the following: an occurring incident that appears reasonably likely to be a claim; defense costs that have exceeded the insured’s deductible; and the length of time the claim will take to settle cannot, with certainty, be determined. These payments will be incorporated into the final adjustment of the claim.