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Authority
Section 11-30-2,
Code of Alabama 1975
"Any group of two or more counties
of the state of Alabama may establish a liability self-insurance fund for the
purpose of pooling its resources and funds to provide coverage for each member
county and/or its officers and employees on account of a claim as defined in this
chapter. Member counties may appropriate such funds as necessary to the liability
self-insurance fund created hereunder." Eligibility
for Participation
Any county commission that is a member of the Association
of County Commissions of Alabama is eligible to participate in the Fund. Some
boards, commissions and agencies created by participating county commissions may
be allowed to participate. Coverage
Provided
The Fund provides liability insurance for a county, county
officers and county employees of participants. Specific coverages, limitations
and exclusions are provided in the Fund Coverage Document. Legal
Status
The Fund is a Not-For-Profit corporation recognized as a governmental
entity for tax purposes. Governance
The Fund operates pursuant to formal by-laws and is governed by a Board of Trustees,
as provided in the by-laws. The Board of Trustees consists of fifteen members
appointed from participating counties. Trustees are eligible to serve no more
than two three-year terms. Claims Administration
The Fund contracts with a third-party administrator (TPA) to administer all liability
claims presented to participants. Claims are administered consistent with an agreement
entered into between the TPA and the Fund, and consistent with the provisions
of the Coverage Document. The current TPA for the Fund is Meadowbrook Insurance,
Inc., located in Montgomery, Alabama. Financial
Administration
Each participant is required to make an annual financial
contribution to the Fund. Contributions are invested and held until needed to
pay claims and necessary operating expenses. The amount of contribution by each
participant is determined by the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of
a qualified actuary. The Fund is audited annually by a certified public accounting
firm. Refund of Contributions and Earnings
Distributions
The Fund's Board of Trustees frequently approves the
refund of contributions and distribution of Fund investment earnings. Refunds
and distributions are based on participant claims experience and other actuarial
considerations. Miscellaneous Benefits
of Participation
In addition to the payment and administration of claims,
Fund participants receive other benefits and services as described below.
Loss Control: Loss control services
are provided through the Fund's TPA and include periodic facilities inspection,
loss control manuals and instructional material, assistance in establishing local
loss control committees, defensive driving courses, flagmen courses and many other
related forms of assistance. Specialized
Claims Administration: The employees of the TPA that handle claims for
Fund participants do not handle claims for any other fund or individual employer.
In other words, they specialize in handling claims for county governments participating
in the Fund. Excellent Legal Representation:
A large percentage of liability claims presented to Fund participants are dispensed
with as a result of litigation or other procedures involving attorneys. The majority
of all litigation and other legal matters resulting from claims against Fund participants
are handled by the Webb and Eley Law Firm, located in Montgomery, Alabama. The
firm handles several hundred cases a year for the Fund and therefore many of the
partners and associates specialize in county government litigation. The firm is
universally recognized for its expertise in county government legal matters. Important
Addresses and Telephone Numbers
ACCA Workers
Compensation Self-Insurance Fund
100 N. Jackson Street
Montgomery,
AL 36104
Telephone: 334-263-7594
Fax: 334-263-7678
Fund Administrator:
O. H. "Buddy" Sharpless
View the Liability Self-Insurance Board of Trustees
Meadowbrook
Insurance, Inc.
P. O. Box 11047
Montgomery, AL 36111
Telephone:
334-954-7200
Fax: 334-954-7338
Account Executive: Hank Draughon
Direct Telephone: 334-954-7202 Claims: Hank
Draughon
Direct Telephone: 334-954-7234 Loss Control:
Jerry Gill
Direct Telephone:
334-954-7260 | 
