Insurance
USI Insurance Services Contact Information
These people are here to help you. Do not hesitate to call them.
For policy questions or clarifications contact the UPA Account Executive:
Ron Carlson
800-339-2218
818-251-3003 Direct
818-679-3733 Cell
Ron.Carlson@usi.biz
For all general questions, insurance certificates, additions and deletions of chapter members, address changes, additional insured certificates :
Mathew Creith
800-339-2218
818-251-3025 Direct
818-251-1825 Fax
Matthew.Creith@usi.biz
To file a claim contact:
Lauren Menefee
800-339-2218
818-251-0349 Direct
Lauren.Menefee@usi.biz
USI
Insurance Services
21600 Oxnard St. 8th Floor
Woodland Hills, CA
91367
Your UPA Liability Insurance Program
The UPA Liability Insurance Program is underwritten by Fireman’s Fund. Fireman's Fund is a Triple A rated carrier which means it is among the financially strongest carriers in the world. Our mutually beneficial relationship with Fireman's Fund goes back to 1969.
UPA members enjoy the best quality liability insurance offered to service techs in the industry today.
The UPA Liability Insurance Program is issued through USI Insurance Services. The policy covers the operations of service, repair and maintenance of swimming pools and spas only.
Some important exceptions to the policy are as follows:
1. You are not covered for the repair, maintenance, installation or removal of diving boards and/or slides.
2. Acid wash coverage will pay up to $25,000 to correct damage to a pool that turns out badly as a result of a member acid washing a pool and/or spa.
The Fireman’s Fund Policy DOES NOT cover new construction of pools and spas nor does it cover remodeling of pools and spas.
YOU WILL NOT BE COVERED IF YOU ACT AS A CONTRACTOR!
Fireman’s Fund requires all chapters to meet a minimum of 9 times per year. If any chapter is not meeting this basic requirement the whole chapter will be dropped by UPA.
If your client requests services outside of pool and spa service, repair and maintenance such as gate repair for example, your UPA insurance DOES NOT cover you for this kind of work! If you are hell bent on doing work outside the scope of the UPA insurance, buy a separate policy that will cover you. Call USI, they sell it.
If you have any questions about the coverage call Ron Carlson at 800-339-2218.
Filing a Claim
When filing a claim make
sure you do it in a timely fashion. If you screw up and flood some guy's house
for example, DO
NOT hope, pray or take his word for it that he will not file suit against
you. Call Lauren Menefee ASAP. Waiting could cause the claim to be denied. Fireman's Fund
needs to be involved from the git go.
1. DO NOT ADMIT FAULT ! This cannot be stressed enough. You may feel obligated to cleanse your soul, but you will do yourself and your claim harm by doing so. Button your lip and let Fireman's Fund do the talking.
2. DO NOT TALK TO ANY ATTORNEY THAT IS NOT FROM FIREMAN'S FUND! Never ever speak to any attorney that is not provided by Fireman's Fund Never ever go to a deposition without legal representation from Fireman's Fund. No matter how innocent it may seem these guys will eat you (and our policy) alive. Fireman's Fund has a whole squadron of attorneys to represent you. YOU HAVE TO LET THESE GUYS DO THE TALKING.
3. Prepare a complete statement of all the facts immediately and call Lauren Menefee. Fireman's Fund must be brought in early so they can investigate while the evidence is fresh.
4. Inform your chapter President and Treasurer that you are filing a claim and keep them informed with the progress of the claim.
5. Make arrangements with your chapter Treasurer to give him the $500 deductible. Your chapter is responsible for paying the deducible. If you don’t pay it your chapter is on the hook. If your chapter doesn’t pay it the entire chapter will have its insurance canceled.
6. If you have any problems or questions or need assistance call Mathew Creith at USI Insurance Services.
If You Receive a Subpoena that is Related to Your Pool Service Business
If you are subpoenaed call Mathew Creith at USI immediately. Fireman’s Fund has a crack legal team, that you pay for, waiting to represent you at no extra charge. It doesn’t matter if you have opened a claim or not. Trying to take care of things yourself without Fireman’s Fund will definitely screw things up. This is what you buy insurance for. Make the frickin' call!
Member and Employee Info
UPA members that have anyone including employees, family members, friends, repair people, vacation service people, etc., that are not under the *direct supervision of the insured member are not covered by the Fireman’s Fund policy. You must see to it they have their own policy. Mathew Creith can get you set up.
*Direct Supervision means they are working with you in your presence. Not the next house, not a phone call away.
New Members
You should receive your Insurance Certificate within 48 hours after USI Insurance is notified by your chapter treasurer. If you do not receive your Insurance Certificate in a few days call Mathew Creith at USI Insurance
Make Sure You Are Registered!
All members should make sure their chapter has a current roster with their name
on it registered with USI. A claim being filed by a member not registered with
USI may not be covered by Fireman’s Fund. Check it out so you don’t get left
out in the cold. It's happened.
Annual Insurance Certificates
All Insurance Certificates are mailed every
July to each UPA member. If you are no longer servicing a commercial account
inform USI so they can cancel any "additional insured" certificates.
Additional Insured Certificates
All you guys with commercial accounts that require additional insured certificates let Mathew Creith know if you no longer need those certificates sent out. It will save these folks a pile of unnecessary work.