The Wisconsin County Mutual Insurance Corporation: Organizing Your Loss Control Effort

Most of the previous articles presented, have addressed as much space as possible to the importance of risk management and the techniques a county can employ to create a cost effective risk management program. Much of what this article will address may, to some appear redundant, however, in view of upcoming events focused on individual loss prevention and control efforts, may find that the article answers several questions.

During the Mutual's first three years of operation, the focus of attention for the Corporation and the membership was the delivery of coverage "substantially-at-cost" , claims service and the daily functions of the Mutual as a whole. Considering the dramatic growth of the Mutual, from 24 members in the first year to our current participation level of 47 counties, this in itself required a concerted effort on the part of the all the service providers and the participating counties.

The Wisconsin County Mutual Insurance Corporation has brought to Wisconsin counties many new or reshaped ideas that help to reduce the overall cost of insurance. The membership's cooperation and open-mindedness has helped to create an innovative, successful organization.

During the 1990's, the Mutual will began a series of incentive programs that focus everyone's attention on the continuing need to reduce everyday losses. As a starting point, the Loss Prevention Committee has chosen to begin this effort with a program based on the formation of a formal loss control organization in each of our participating counties.

The first step in the Loss Control Incentive Program was introduced in September at the annual meeting, with an introductory letter issued in November announcing how each county may earn a 5% premium credit for the creation of an internal loss control organization.

In December of 1990, each participating county received information concerning the dates and times, of workshops to be held in January for the purpose of assisting them with the creation and implementation of an eligible loss control organization.

This article is intended to prepare each county for the upcoming workshops and encourage questions or concerns regarding the same while attending the workshop.

For many years, insurance companies have heralded the efforts of loss control as the "cure-all" of any insurance woes an insured may be experiencing. This introductory sentence may sound cute, but all too many companies have introduced the idea of loss control, it's expected impact, then sent out an inspector to tell you that you have these problems and make certain recommendations to correct the situation. While this is one of the services associated with any loss prevention or control program, it should not be the only one.

I do not want to be general in my statement, for some companies have and continue to do an excellent job in assisting their insured's with their individual loss control efforts. However, quite often the success, while assisted or guided by the Loss Control Specialist, is mainly the result of a concerned, involved daily effort by the Insured. For the true success of any loss control program is a combination of losses prevented or controlled and the active understanding that the effort is part of the everyday workplace, much like a tool in one's tool box.

With this interpretation of a successful loss control effort, the Loss Prevention Committee developed a model loss control organization, (a copy of the organizational structure accompanied the memorandum introducing the premium credit available). This model was intended to serve strictly as a guide to each county in the tailored formation of their "own" loss control organization.

As mentioned, the Mutual will conduct workshops to assist in the personalized formation of your loss control organization, as well as demonstrate how the organization will function. For an example, during the workshop, each county will have the opportunity to discuss the creation of their individual loss control organization in a roundtable format with peers and the Mutual's General Administrator. After creating the draft of their individual organization, each county will be presented with sample agendas that will provide suggestions for taking the effort back to their county. Open discussion will be encouraged during the "working " portion of the workshop to solicit ideas and examples of successful efforts already in place in various counties.

While some counties may have experienced lackluster results in former "safety" efforts, please do not let this prevent any county from attending these very important workshops. We feel that our approach to creating an active, involved loss control effort involving everyone from employee to County Board Supervisor can be successful with your support.

Following these workshops, the WCA and the Wisconsin County Mutual Insurance Corporation will help to guide the loss control effort throughout the year by presenting a series of seminars with topics directed at the Loss Control Committee activities of each county.

Also supporting the individual Loss Control Committee function will be the Mutual's Loss Control Specialist, Vance L. Forrest of Frank B. Hall and Co..

We look forward to seeing each member county at the workshops and look forward to working with you throughout the coming year. Any questions regarding the upcoming workshops or your individual loss control or risk management concerns may be directed to either Vance Forrest, John Dirkse, or Bob Wurtz at 1-(800)236-6885.