Background Information: Risk Management is requesting approval for the renewal of the County's general liability policies. This policy, administered by Risk Management, covers Law Enforcement Liability, Public Official Liability, Auto liability and Auto Physical Damage. Texas Association of Counties (TAC) is a Risk Management Pool allowed by state statute where Texas Counties pool their funds for the services and coverages.
Essentially it acts as self-insurance, but TAC manages all the claims and claims processes on the County's behalf.
TAC also provides an abundance of other services that normal insurance agencies would not, such as in-person training for employees to reduce risk, sample policies, in-person trainings for law enforcement specific trainings. TAC also provides safety inspections of buildings, drone inspections for exterior of the buildings, free conferences for staff and elected officials to get the most up-to-date information on liability, safety and HR related issues.
Purpose: The renewal of this policy is an annual expense that helps transfer risk associated with lawsuits and damages that any County employee cause as well as vehicle crashes and other potential risks that could affect the County.
Impact: If this renewal is not approved, it will leave Brazos County without insurance coverage on Law Enforcement Liability, Public Official Liability; Auto liability and Auto Physical Damage. This will put the County at financial and operational risk in the event of a lawsuit, loss or damage.
Deadline: Timely approval is necessary to ensure uninterrupted coverage for the upcoming year.
Budget: Considered as self-insurance. Budget is available in Commissioners' Court - Non-Departmental Budget - In past years Brazos County has pooled approx. $500,000 specifically for this coverage. This application will allow TAC to give us the amount that will need to be funded in the pool for the program.