NCLM Volume 71, Issue 1, 2021

SOUTHERN CITY QUARTER 1 2021 20 NCLM COMMUNICATIONS NCLM Insurance: New Features, Same Great Coverage STILL FOR MUNICIPALITIES AND BY MUNICIPALITIES, THE LEAGUE’S OFFERINGS HAVE A HOST OF IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2021. “This upgrade will provide additional classes and functionality for our members,” said Tom Anderson, Director of Risk Control. “This is a big step forward for our educational offerings.” Then, there are the benefits of the Health Benefits Trust. This health insurance coverage goes above and beyond for its mem- bers and offers benefits to meet the specific needs of cities, towns, counties, and other governing bodies. Running a local government is difficult; the Health Benefits Trust ensures that our members’ wellness needs are met. These include a whole host of offerings in addition to the standard health coverage: complementary alternative medicine, Teladoc, additional programs such as Personal Care Management and Diabetes Management Programs, and many more. And, as with all League services, the main benefit continues to be its member-driven mission, which underlies all services. There are no generalities. From the people to the plan, the offerings are designed specifically with municipalities in mind, ensuring that the league is uniquely equipped to attend to the needs of cities and towns. Moreover, the insurance pools are self-funded and member- governed, meaning that the coverage is not simply beholden to North Carolina local governments—it’s managed by them, too. “We do not lose sight of that mission,” said Pittman. With immensely strong pools, exceedingly competitive costs and plans geared specifically toward municipalities, insurance from the North Carolina League of Municipalities is nearly always the most attractive option for our cities and towns. In 2021, that is truer now than ever. These city-focused and city-led offerings will have a new look in the coming months. The great coverage remains. The fea- tures and delivery, however, will be much improved. “There are just so many offerings,” said Michael Pittman, Direc- tor of Underwriting. “Every one of our members should be taking advantage of these.” For members of the Workers’ Compensation (NCIRMA) and Property and Casualty (IRFFNC) insurance pools, a new online Insurance Policy Portal is now live. Need-to-know information is at your fingertips, allowing you to review key documents and gather important data online 24 hours a day. This portal pro- vides the convenience and support our cities and towns need when managing their insurance coverages. Most importantly, this portal makes the renewal process easy. “This portal is a huge benefit to our members,” said Pittman. “This was created with convenience and service in mind.” Our online learning platform is also taking a step forward. The League provides training sessions on topics that directly impact municipal operations, from law enforcement to utilities. Whether a municipality needs its public works employees to be trained on workplace safety or its HR staff to learn about employment liability, the online portal has had our members covered for years. This spring, those offerings will be delivered on a new and improved learning platform: LEARN. Through this medium, ease of access, engagement and training effectiveness will all be improved. Our online learning platform is also taking a step forward . The League provides training sessions on topics that directly impact municipal operations, from law enforcement to utilities. Whether a municipality needs its public works employees to be trained on workplace safety or its HR staff to learn about employment liability, the online portal has had our members covered for years . NCLM Director of Underwriting Michael Pittman is overseeing many innovations in 2021. Photo credit: Alex Boerner.