Public Entity Liability Insurance

We offer public entity liability insurance, which is a type of insurance similar to directors and officers liability insurance, to public entities and public officials who work at various public agencies, authorities, commissions, or who serve on public boards. The coverage is also referred to as public entity insurance, public entity management liability insurance, or public officials liability insurance.

Public entity liability insurance is designed to provide protection to public officials and the entities that employ them against allegations of wrongful acts committed in the course of their work. The coverage typically applies to elected or appointed officials, commissions, boards, employees and volunteers of the public entity. The definition of wrongful acts varies by insurance company but can generally be described as any actual or alleged act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty by an insured person while acting in his or her capacity as such and on behalf of the public entity.

Coverage for employment practices liability insurance is typically included as part of the public officials liability insurance policy and is designed to provide protection against employment-related acts such as wrongful dismissal, discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation.

Crisis management coverage is also provided by some insurance companies and is designed to cover the cost of hiring a crisis management firm such as a marketing, public relations or law firm, to deal with crisis events which cause adverse publicity to the entity.

Applicants for coverage should be aware that public entity liability insurance policies contain exclusions and limitations. Examples of policy exclusions are as follows:

• Bodily injury
• Damage or destruction of any property
• Assault and battery
• Death of any person
• False arrest, detention or imprisonment
• Dishonest, fraudulent, and criminal acts
• Claims related to employee benefit plans, unless the coverage is specifically included
• Claims related to employment practices liability, unless the coverage is specifically included

The coverage and exclusions provided in public entity liability insurance policies vary by insurance company. Each policy should therefore be reviewed in its entirety before making a selection.

Give us a call to discuss your public entity liability insurance needs.