Transit Providers Pooling for Insurance Needs

Lynn Hellegaard, Director
Missoula Ravalli Transportation Management Association (MRTMA)
Missoula, MT

One of the Montana Transit Association's goals has been to bring more value to their members. MTA recognizes that the majority of its member's plates are overflowing or they may not have the resources to focus on innovative programs that other transit agencies are piloting. One program that is diligently being pursued is the creation of a captive or self-insurance pool. This insurance program, if instituted, would:

• Offer some level of control over premium increases.
• Facilitate and support coordination efforts between agencies.
• Remove transit operators from coverage programs that also include high-risk commercial trucking companies, reducing premiums or preventing significant increases from year to year.
• Remove barriers in operations. If one insurance carrier covered all the providers it would be covering all vehicles and driving staff. It shouldn't matter who is driving what vehicle.

Of course, this kind of program works best when the risks can be spread over numerous providers. Currently, many of the Montana providers are either included in their city/county insurance pools or their premiums are paid by one of those entities. However, many city/county government agencies would continue to pay those premiums if an insurance pool would lower those costs or limit their risk. In light of that, Montana providers have been encouraged to complete an informational survey, provide loss runs and premium payment amounts.

The Montana Transit Association is currently being assisted by Payne Financial Group in developing this program. Payne Financial has nine affiliates in their group giving them access to national and international insurance markets. It currently is the carrier for many of the providers in Montana and has a good understanding of our industry. The company also has a good understanding of the various state laws that would need to be addressed if a multi-state pool were developed. The Montana Transit Association would welcome a partnership with other transit associations or individual transit providers. If you'd like a copy of the survey or more information please give me a call at (406)327-8707 or e-mail: mrtma2@montana.com.

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In this issue...

• PASS Training
• Another Mobility Achievement
• Automated Scheduling and Routing
• From the President
• BATA: On the Move
• Bis-Man Transit: Growing & Serving Customers
• Farewell VaDonna Julian
• New Van Delivered
• SURTC Discussion Board
• Buying Vehicles under North Dakota State Bid
• Human Service Coordination
• Mid-Year Session
• CTAA, Caring About You!
• Join CTAA
• Transit Providers Pooling for Insurance Needs
• SURTC Training
• Calendar of Events
• RTAP Library is Now Online
• The Cab Ride
• APTA's Bus Paratransit Conference