Friday, April 25, 2003
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Friday, April 25, 2003 |
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Senoia insurance costs rise By JOHN THOMPSON
City officials in Senoia are simmering over their latest insurance costs. City clerk Debby Hogan told the City Council Monday night that the city's liability premium had increased from just over $30,000 to $43,000. "That's just unacceptable. That's nearly a 40 percent increase," said City Councilman Bill Wood. Wood asked why the city couldn't increase the deductible on some of its items and try to achieve the same premium. The insurance policy is offered to the city through the Georgia Municipal Association, and Wood said the city might consider using private insurance firms for quotes. But with a May 1 deadline looming for renewal of the policy, additional quotes would not be an option for this year. "I don't want to have us liable in lawsuits," said City Councilman Robert Hannah. Wood agreed, and said the city should accept the current contract, but ask the insurance agency to rewrite it with higher deductibles. City attorney Drew Whalen said the city has not had a huge history of claims, and could probably absorb the costs of raising some deductibles from $1,000 to $5,000. If the city can't lower the costs, Wood wondered where the money to pay for the extra $13,000 in premium costs. "I'm hoping we can use some money from some reimbursable expenses we have coming to us," said city administrator Murray McAfee.
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