SW Washington Risk Management Insurance Cooperative (SWRMIC)

About the Risk Cooperative

The Risk Cooperative was formed September 1986 when school districts in southwest Washington State joined together through an Interlocal Governmental Agreement to self insure, self administer and group purchase excess insurance to cover their losses. Twenty-seven school districts, the Educational Service District 112, the KWRL Transportation Cooperative and the Washington Schools Information Processing Cooperative belong to the Risk Cooperative.

The Risk Cooperative is an Enterprise Fund established for the purpose of providing claims handling and risk management for property and casualty liabilities to its membership through group funding. The Risk Cooperative provides the following forms of group purchased insurance coverage for its members: property, vehicle and mobile equipment physical damage, equipment breakdown, crime, electronic data processing equipment, and general liability, automobile liability, employment practices liability, errors and omissions liability and statutorily required bonds.

The Risk Cooperative is fully funded by its members. Educational Service District 112 is contracted to provide financial, loss control and claims services for the Cooperative.

The Risk Cooperative is governed by a Board of Directors, which is comprised of one designated represented from each participating member, with delegated authority to a five member Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is responsible for conducting the business affairs of the Cooperative.

Benefits of Membership

Local control. Regional support. That’s the key to successful cooperatives and school services. By working together, districts are able to leverage financial and operational resources to provide high quality and efficient programs. The ESD 112 Risk Cooperative is one example of this successful concept.

Why Choose Us

• Schools are our only business, the only clients we serve.
• The Risk Cooperative’s Executive Board are Superintendents and Business Managers who are familiar with – and responsive to – local district needs. They are the policy-makers for the Risk Cooperative.
• We offer assistance before a formal claim is presented.
• School-tailored coverage follows an excess manuscript policy written for schools.
• The Executive Director, Risk Manager, Fiscal Officer, Claims Adjuster and Loss Control Specialists are highly experienced and familiar with school challenges and issues.
• The Risk Cooperative is one of just 48 pools across the nation to earn Association of Governmental Risk Pools (AGRiP) recognition for excellence of internal operational procedures.
• The Risk Cooperative works with member districts to reduce loss, focusing on a specific target area each year.

Long – Term Stability

• The Risk Cooperative is financially stable and well-funded.
• Rates are set by the Executive Committee and based on actuarial analysis.
• The Risk Cooperative has no deductible on liability claims and a $1,000 deductible on property claims. Other school insurance cooperatives may require larger deductibles out of district funds.
• Loss control services, as well as claim handling costs and legal services, are included in the yearly contribution costs.
• A member district with excellent loss experience could save up to 30% (of the base rate).

Coverage and Pricing

The cooperative makes no profit from schools.

• Our pricing is transparent and consistent among all members. We have no hidden costs.
• The Risk Cooperative covers some defense costs for Special Education disputes.