PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE

Especially designed for Federal Employees

Lawsuits against Federal Government employees are increasing at an alarming rate. Members of the public, even fellow workers, can bring personal lawsuits against you. You are at risk whenever you are acting within the scope of your job including:

Away from your desk, you could be exposed to even greater risk of lawsuits from private citizens. Frivolous or not, it could still cost you thousands of dollars.

Federal Law requires that all federal agencies
must reimburse qualified employees one-half of the annual
premium for Professional Liability Insurance.
(Passed in 1996, part of the Omnibus Consolidated
Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1997
Contact your payroll office for qualification and reimbursement details)

The Federal Tort Claims Act states that the government can choose whether or not to defend you. It cannot cover any monetary damages awarded against you personally. Even if the Justice Department refuses to defend you, this plan picks up the full cost of your legal defense and pays covered damages awarded against you (up to the $1 million limit).

This Professional Liability Insurance was specially designed to protect Federal Government employees. You are protected anywhere in the world against losses from lawsuits stemming from the performance of your official federal duties.

In recent years, the number of disciplinary and performance-based actions taken by U.S. government agencies against their own employees, both supervisory and non-supervisory, has risen dramatically. Allegations of discrimination, sexual harassment, civil rights violations, computer and credit card misuse, leave abuse and other offenses can be leveled at the most honest and upright of people. This policy provides experienced federal employment law practitioners for your legal defense with coverage up to $200,000 in attorney fees and related costs. Both administrative and criminal charges against you are covered.

In the event defense of the Insured in any claim or suit is granted by the Department of Justice or its designee, the Insured may, nevertheless request the Company to provide him with an attorney selected by the Company to monitor and oversee the defense being provided by the United States.

ELIGIBILITY

Any full-time employee of the Federal Government working at least 17.5 hours per week is eligible for Professional Liability coverage


DESCRIPTION OF BENEFITS

This plan pays for your defense cost even against groundless or fraudulent suits. This is in addition to your liability limit and is without limitation. There is no deductible, and where allowed by state law, this plan pays punitive damages up to your coverage limit.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CONSULTED IN DESIGNING THIS COVERAGE

This program was developed with the advice and consultation of attorneys in the Torts Claims Division of the Justice Department to provide the fullest protection possible for you as a government employee. They work in the field daily and are more acutely aware of your needs than anyone else. You should feel confident knowing this is the only professional liability policy developed with the advice of the Justice Department.

“Course and scope of employment” means an “incident” of any kind or character that has to do with and originates in the work, services, trade or profession of the employee’s federal agency and that is performed by the employee while engaged in or about the furtherance of the affairs or services of that federal agency.

ENROLLMENT

1. Complete and return the enclosed application form with payment in the return envelope provided (payroll deduction must be started by employee – call 1-800-221-3083 for assistance).

2. To pay by credit card, visit our secure website: www.career-guard.com. Complete the on-line application and credit card information.

Coverage will begin on the first day of the month following receipt of the application and payment. (Payroll Deduction Option – Coverage begins on the first day of the pay period that the deduction is made.)

EXCLUSIONS

Coverage under this plan does not apply

a) to any obligation for which the Insured or any carrier as the insurer may be held liable under any workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, disability benefits law, or other similar law;

b) to damages arising out of the willful violation of a penal statue or penal ordinance committed by or with the knowledge or consent of the Insured, or damages arising out of acts of fraud committed by or at the direction of the insured with affirmative dishonesty or actual intent to deceive or defraud;

c) to liability assumed by the Insured under any contract or agreement;

d) to Bodily Injury arising out of the ownership, operation, or the use of any land motor vehicle designed for use principally on public highways, including any machinery or apparatus attached thereto, or any aircraft or watercraft;

e) to Property damage to:

1. Property owned occupied by, or rented to the United States Government or Insured;

2. Property used by the Insured;

3. Property in the care or control of the Insured or as to which the Insured is for any purpose exercising physical control.

f. (1) Bodily Injury, Property Damage, Personal Injury, Advertising Injury or any Administrative Law Proceeding arising out of the actual, alleged or threatened discharge, dispersal, seepage, migration, release or escape of pollutants:

(a) At or from any premises, site or location which is or was at any time owned or occupied by, or rented to or loaned to any Insured;

(2) Any loss, cost or expense arising out of any:

Pollutants means any solid, liquid, gaseous or thermal irritant or contaminant, including smoke, vapor, soot, fumes, acids, alkalis, chemicals and waste. Waste includes materials to be recycled, reconditioned or reclaimed.

g. (1) Asbestos, asbestos fibers, asbertiform talc or any material and/or substances containing asbestos, asbestos fibers or asbertiform talc or any asbestos related bodily injury, property damage, personal injury, or administrative law proceeding, or exposure to asbestos, asbestos fibers or asbertiform talc in any form, and/or manifestation of any asbestos related bodily injury, including but not limited to asbestosis, mesotheliomia and/or brochogenic carcinoma; or

This article offers a brief description of the Professional Liability Insurance plan. Details can be found in the Certificate of Insurance, which will be available to you upon enrollment.

Although every attempt has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained on this website, errors and omissions may occur. The Certificate of Insurance describing the exact coverage and benefits purchased will be available upon enrollment. This website explains the general purposes of the insurance described, but in no way changes or affects the insurance afforded under the group insurance policy actually issued. All coverage is subject to the actual policy conditions and exclusions.

Professional Liability Insurance

(All forms are in PDF format. If you cannot
print a form, please call 1-800-221-3083
and we will be glad to mail forms to you.)

Form / Link
Purpose
To participate in the Professional Liability Insurance Plan, an Enrollment Form must be completed, signed and mailed to Mass Benefits Consultants, Inc. The Enrollment Form includes the Bi-Weekly, Quarterly, Semi-Annual, and Annual premium rates.
Complete this form if you want to pay by payroll deduction and your Payroll office processes the form.
Use this information if you want to pay by payroll deduction and you must start the deduction yourself through HR Links or Employee Express online.
When you are ready to submit your request for reimbursement to your agency, complete and mail or fax this form to us. If you pay by Payroll Deduction, please remember that the receipt will reflect the pay periods received.
If you have received notice of an Administrative Hearing or been served with a lawsuit, contact us immediately at 1-800-221-3083 or fax a notice to 703-642-2240. Be sure to include your name and daytime phone number.
Professional Liability coverage for Retired Federal Employees performing Investigative Work.