POOLED INSURANCE FUND
SAVINGS SINCE INCEPTION
INITIAL SAVINGS
$43.4 MILLION
DIVIDENDS PAID
$23.6 MILLION
RETAINED SURPLUS
$2.6 MILLION
SAVINGS SINCE INCEPTION
$69.6 MILLION
WELCOME
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
It has been an honor to serve the Pooled Insurance Program of New Jersey (PIP-NJ). I have had the pleasure of partnering with some outstanding Professionals, Officers, Trustees, and Board Members. All these partnerships, in one way or another, have contributed to the 40-year success of the Pooled Fund.
Thank you to all the Business Administrators and Risk Management Consultants who are part of the Fund. Without your confidence and belief in the Pooled Fund, the program would not be what it is today.
We would also like to take a minute to acknowledge the contribution of Robert Kanwisher, of the Burton Agency, who led the Fund as Executive Director until 2015. It was his perseverance, forward-thinking, and ability to think outside the box, that helped move the Fund forward to success.
As we pass the four-decade mark, it is important to pay tribute to the Fund Presidents for their leadership and guidance in navigating growth and propelling our success into the future.
THANK YOU:
DOMINIC BUTLER (1999-2006)
STEPHEN CEA (2006-2010)
JAMES TEVIS (2010-2016)
BARBARA FRANCISCO (2016-2023)
KERRY KEANE (2023-2024)
JANET BEHRMANN (2024-PRESENT)
The Pooled Insurance Program has a strong future ahead. Working and partnering with all of you, I look forward to implementing enhancements to the program that will further solidify its position as a leader and innovator in the school board insurance arena.
Sincerely,
Debra Ginetto Executive Director, PIP-NJ President, Burton Agency
HISTORY
Janet Behrmann CHAIR
2024 - PRESENT
Michael Ucci VICE CHAIR/SECRETARY
2024
- PRESENT
Established in 1986, the Pooled Insurance Program of New Jersey (PIP-NJ) was formed to take advantage of special New Jersey legislation that allowed Public Entities to group purchase insurance. PIP was one of the early Joint Insurance Funds created specifically for Schools and has been a model for similar organizations ever since.
The principle goal is to provide fully-insured property and casualty insurance and workers’ compensation through self-insurance to School Boards across the state. The Fund was conservatively structured to achieve both cost savings and budget stability. This approach has resulted in providing quality insurance and stabilized premiums for all our Fund members.
SAVINGS
Conservatively, PIP has saved members over $69 million – or 26% compared to regular commercial insurance rates – over the past 40 years.
Workers’ Compensation (68%) is a group self-insurance pooled program. The Fund purchases excess coverage for NJ Statutory and Employers Liability with a commercial stop-loss cap to protect the group from a large claim. The average initial premium provides an average 23% discount from the workers’ compensation rates established by the state. This strategy also allows the Fund to invest the claim reserves, saving an additional $13 million to date.
Property/Liability (32%) is a group purchase of coverages from commercial insurance companies at a flat negotiated premium. This strategy saves an average of 12.5% from regular commercial rates, and protects members against additional assessments from more unpredictable liability and property claims.
AHEAD OF THE CURVE
Over the years, PIP has expanded member offerings to keep pace with the ever-changing insurance landscape. Environmental, Cyber, HIB, and Misconduct coverages are just a few of the expanded programs offered to our members, all part of the “fully-insured” coverage.
PIP has leveraged our purchasing power to increase the overall coverage limits for General Liability, School Board Legal, and Automobile Liability to $65 million.
COST CONTROLS
To reduce claims, PIP provides extensive risk control services to help members implement effective safety programs. The property insurer, on a rotating basis, inspects each facility. This is supplemented with visits by certified playground inspectors, and a wide array of MSI safety classes are offered both online and in the classroom – for no extra cost.
Non-claims costs have been kept to an absolute minimum. The insurance Fund spends only 10% of the budget on these expenses, as compared to 31% for commercial property/casualty insurance companies. These other costs include administration, general legal, claims adjusting expenses, advertising, and fees to Risk Managers. As a government entity, the Fund is also exempt from federal and state taxes.
The Fund also offers an active “educational” element from our professionals. Over the past two years, PIP has included presentations that qualify for QPA credits for our membership.
Each member also receives assistance from a Risk Management Consultant, usually a local insurance agent. These professionals are responsible for numerous risk management functions that are detailed in the Group Bylaws. Their fees are about half the cost of the commissions paid by commercial insurance companies.
Workers’ compensation continues to be one of the largest areas of expense for School Districts. These charts illustrate the most common causes and departments of on-the-job accidents. Implementing risk controls and taking advantage of safety training significantly reduces accidents and claim costs.
ACCIDENTS
DEPARTMENT
MEMBER CONTROL
Member control is one of the most important factors responsible for the ongoing success of the Fund. Each Board appoints their own Business Administrator to serve as a PIP representative. The representatives elect a Board of Trustees and Officers that oversee Fund business. Meetings are run exactly like a Board of Education meeting because the Fund is subject to all rules applicable to Boards of Education, including: Open Public Meetings Act, Open Public Records Act, Public Contracts Law, Fiscal Affairs Law, and the Ethics Act.
The member involvement each quarter in the governance of “their” Fund is the critical factor in the $69.6 million in savings since 1986
SCHOOL BOARD SPECIFIC
The School Board Legal program has evolved over the years to include many of the necessary coverages resulting from ongoing changes in school board operations. Increased Administrative Hearing coverage along with expanded Employment Practices Liability are just a couple of the enhancements.
Equally important has been the unique offering of having the district’s Board Attorney eligible to defend the school district.
CONTINUED SUCCESS
Risk management and subsequent cost control is becoming more complicated with new exposures such as cyber security, fire, and flood claims that have also grown dramatically because of a higher frequency of storms and higher construction costs. The largest cost drivers are still employee-related, including workers’ compensation and employment practices.
As we grow, PIP will continue to meet the insurance needs of our members and help them navigate these turbulent times. We continue to focus on maintaining stability, having the ability to return surplus to our members, and we are committed to providing a range of value-added services to help manage risk and contain costs.
Working together — the Professional Team, Risk Managers, Officers and Trustees of the Fund, Committee Members, and our Members — PIP can continue to achieve success, now and well in the future.
PIP-NJ PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
COMPREHENSIVE RISK MANAGEMENT FOR SCHOOLS
FULL REPLACEMENT COST
$65M LIABILITY TOWER ABUSE & MOLESTATION
ON-DEMAND COURSES
SAFESCHOOLS PLAYGROUND INSPECTIONS
SIMPLIFIED REPORTING
SPECIALTY CLAIMS SUPPORT
TOTAL SAVINGS MEMBER DIVIDENDS
TRANSPARENCY & CONTROL
Broad Coverage & High Limits
• All-in-one protection: property, liability, auto, cyber & more
• High limits of insurance to meet modern school district needs
• Coverage designed to address evolving school risks
Robust Risk Control Services
• Dedicated and experienced public entity risk control and safety team
• On-site assessments, training, resources to help prevent losses
• Employment Practices Attorney Hotline
• Access to best practices and compliance guidance
• Ongoing support
Expert Claims Advocacy
• Responsive, dedicated claims professionals who understand the challenges schools face
• Hands-on, step-by-step guidance through the claims process
• Advocacy to ensure fair, prompt resolution and minimal operational disruptions
Local Partnership, Trusted Results
• A well-run, locally managed fund — premiums stay in your community
• Collaborative approach: school districts share knowledge and resources
• Transparent governance and financial stability you can count on
LEADERSHIP
TRUSTEES
CHAIR
Janet Behrmann
Union County Vocational-Technical Schools
VICE CHAIR/SECRETARY
Michael Ucci Clifton BOE
David Pawlowski South Brunswick BOE
Stephen McHugh Parsippany-Troy Hills BOE
Colin Monahan Passaic Valley Regional BOE
Pamela Vargas Butler BOE
Gordon Gibbs Pequannock Township BOE
REPRESENTATIVES
Felicia Kicinski Bloomingdale BOE
Robert Brown Lincoln Park BOE
Victoria Lopez Hoboken BOE
Rita Giacchi Jefferson Twp BOE
Cheryl Balletto Cedar Grove BOE
Debra Andreniuk Lakeland Reg. BOE
Katine Slunt Montville BOE
Melissa Bertagno West Milford BOE
Peter Starr Milburn BOE
Kerry Keane Riverdale BOE
Jennifer Nicholson Berkeley Heights BOE
Rosa Hock North Brunswick BOE
Angela Spasevski Pompton Lakes BOE
Kaitlyn Lawler Kinnelon BOE
FUND PROFESSIONALS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Debra Ginetto Burton Agency
FUND ADVISOR
David N. Grubb Senior Partner
PERMA TREASURER
William Van Tassel
WC CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR
Kelly Guerriero CSO Team Leader
Inservco Insurance Services Inc.
WC MANAGED CARE
Kelly Royce, RN, CCM
Senior Vice President
First Managed Care Option, Inc.
AUDITOR
Andrew Kucinski, CPA Nisivoccia
FUND ATTORNEY
Stephen Fogarty, Esq. Fogarty & Hara Esqs.
WC ATTORNEY
John H. Geaney, Esq. Capehart Scatchard Attorneys at Law
FUND BROKER
Edward Cooney, MBA, CCIC Partner
Conner Strong & Buckelew
FUND ACTUARY
Jamie Shooks, FCAS, MAAA
Consulting Actuary
The Actuarial Advantage
RISK MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS
Shannon Balken
David Balken
Gia Mongioi
Acrisure NJ Partners Insurance Services LLC
Robin Campbell Cedar Risk Management
Drew Doscher
Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services
Thomas J. FitzPatrick Fairview Insurance Agency Associates
Justin Gallo
Spiro Molfetas
Jessica Roberts Polaris Galaxy Insurance LLC
Raymond Gill USI Insurance Services
Lisa Hamm Clyde Paul Agency, Inc
Kevin Larkin
Michelle Sweisfort Business & Governmental Insurance Agency
Lee Nestel
Greg DerAsadourian
Cassandra Curington CBIZ Insurance Services
Dan Regan
Latonya Brennan
Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services
Sanders Reynoso Strategic Insurance Partners
Karen Waters
Acrisure LLC dba IMAC Agency
