Title
Body
MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Anita L. Grant, County Counsel
Jeff Rein, Risk Manager
DATE: November 5, 2019
SUBJECT: Authorize CSAC-EIA to Assign Carl Warren & Company as Lake County’s Third Party Claims Administrator
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Staff is requesting your Board’s authorization to issue the attached letter to CSAC-EIA requesting a change in the third party liability claims administrator currently assigned to Lake County.
BACKGROUND:
The County utilizes the services of a claims administrator to support the County’s efforts to efficiently resolve liability claims by providing claims investigation, settlement negotiations, adjustment of losses within legal deadlines, attendance at applicable legal proceedings, document maintenance, establishing and reporting of accurate financial reserves, and interfacing with CSAC-EIA, assist Risk Management staff in the processing and resolution of liability claims asserted against the County.
Use of a third party claims administrator (TPA) is a requirement of the particular CSAC-EIA liability insurance program in which the County participates. The County’s choices in this regard are limited since only three third party administration firms are authorized by CSAC-EIA for liability claims. While the County is free to utilize any one of the three firms, the services provided to the County are solely governed by a contract between CSAC-EIA and the firm chosen.
For the past 22 years, George Hills Company has served as the County’s TPA for liability claims. Even though the County is not a party to the TPA agreement, staff believed it prudent to evaluate the other TPA options authorized by CSAC-EIA to determine if the County’s interests might be better served.
To that end, staff has identified a firm (Carl Warren & Company) that has evidenced a willingness and the resources to build a robust liability claims administration program. In addition, their references support their experience and expected results.
FISCAL IMPACT: __ None __Budgeted __Non-Budgeted
Estimated Cost:
Amount Budgeted:
Additional Requested:
Annual Cost (if planned for future years):
FISCAL IMPACT (Narrative): Carl Warren is one of the three liability TPAs authorized by CSAC-EIA, all of which are governed by the same contract terms including an hourly cost structure. Consequently, the only way costs might increase is if Carl Warren invests more time in our claims, which is a welcome prospect.
STAFFING IMPACT (if applicable):
Recommended Action
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends your Board authorize County Counsel to issue the attached letter to CSAC-EIA requesting that Carl Warren Company be assigned as the Lake County’s third party claims administrator.