Westford Earns Insurance Premium Credits

Strong risk management policies and ongoing efforts to control financial losses helped Westford to earn $37,860 on its workers compensation and property casualty insurance costs during fiscal year 2014 – which will be applied toward fiscal year 2015 premiums. The credits were earned through voluntary participation in an incentive program offered by the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA), the town’s municipal insurance provider.

Committed to keeping the community safer and fiscally stronger over the long term, Westford has implemented a range of loss control measures and administrative procedures that reduce the risk of accidents and property damage. The town has also accessed MIIA’s free training and educational programs, which are designed as a membership benefit to help municipalities promote effective management and operations as well as lower risk. 

Town Manager Jodi Ross stated that “MIIA’s no cost variety of training programs help employees to prevent injuries and minimize claims and losses for our town.” 

According to MIIA, Westford has a proactive approach to risk management in each department that has helped to prevent potential insurance claims and associated costs. The local Highway Department supplements its safety training with regular “tailgates” – informal group discussions covering key safety points on a variety of topics, along with reminders about department-specific procedures, and has also conducted MIIA’s onsite driving safety course for Highway Department employees.

Stanley Corcoran, executive vice president of MIIA said, “MIIA is pleased to partner with our members to help establish effective and cost-saving best practices, and to reward them each year for implementing such innovative loss control programs. Congratulations to Westford for working proactively to mitigate risk, lower potential municipal liability, and reduce municipal taxpayer burden.” 

About MIIA

The Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) is the non-profit insurance arm of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. In fiscal year 2014, MIIA awarded over $2.3 million of premium credit collectively to the membership through its Rewards program for a 12-year total of $22.1 million. As a member-based organization, MIIA’s only focus is to provide excellent service and quality risk management solutions to Massachusetts municipalities and related public entities. Municipal insurance its only business, MIIA insures nearly 400 cities, towns, and other public entities in Massachusetts. 

For more information, visit emiia.org and mma.org.

Submitted by the town of Westford.