WSTIP | Services

Items
of Interest

Best Practices for Vanpools

Best Practices for Operations

Best Practice Awards

Washington State Transportation Training Coalition

WSTIP Services

Insurance

WSTIP provides auto liability, general liability, public officials (errors and omissions), all risk property, crime, and boiler and machinery. Members may select deductibles from $0 to $10,000. As of July 1, 2005, WSTIP provides Auto Physical Damage both in the yard and on the road to the full ACV, and UM/UIM to $60,000/occurrence.

Claims Management

In September 1997, the WSTIP Board elected to bring claims management in-house and to use independent adjusted on an as-needed basis. A claims manual and reporting process was established and is reviewed annually. In addition, WSTIP staff provide full subrogation services to the members, collecting in excess of $614,000 over the last three years.

Innovative Use of Technology

WSTIP offers its members off-site access to its data warehouse server via a meta-frame environment. The software used is CITRIX. The risk management information system used is RiskMaster, purchased in 1997. We currently maintain over 23,000 records in the database. WSTIP has 65 licenses and provides full data access including electronic support from our offices to 32 public transit agencies in Washington State and the Ohio Transit Risk Pool to manage their claims and events.

The reporting tool provided with RiskMaster allows WSTIP to provide meaningful trend analysis about a variety of accidents. We generate monthly loss reports on an automated basis. Loss reports can be generated in a PDF or spreadsheet format, allowing members, underwriters and brokers to incorporate the data into their respective systems. Access to the services is provided with T-1 Internet connection. A comprehensive disaster plan provides for data recovery and on-line status with 72 hours.

Training and Risk Management

WSTIP and WSTA are partnering with the State of Washington Department of Transportation, the Community Transportation Association of the Northwest, and Eastern Washington University Northwest Tribal Technical Assistance Program in governing an innovative training coalition. The Washington State Transportation Training Coalition (WSTTC) provides loss prevention training to all public and non-profit transit providers specifically in transit-related interests. WSTTC offers approximately 20 classes per year with an average attendance of 16. WSTIP takes a leadership role on the WSTTC Board of Directors and serves as the contractor for WSTTC to organize and administer the training classes.

Best Practices Help Members Be Proactive

WSTIP and its members believe that proactive management of individual transit organizations is a key factor in safe operations. WSTIP has enacted two Best Practices programs: one for vanpool programs to provide a structure for small rural systems, and one for general operations.

When vanpool operations appeared to be a growing exposure, WSTIP implemented strict Vanpool Best Practices. Uniquely tied to coverage, vanpool programs must comply with the Best Practices in order to receive coverage under the program. WSTIP assists the vanpool coordinators in reviewing the Best Practices every other year to ensure their continued cutting-edge success. In 2002, the Vanpool Best Practices were reviewed and revised to incorporate exposures specific to 15 passenger vans.

In 2001, WSTIP transferred the Best Practices idea from vanpool operations to all other operations within the transit systems. The WSTIP Best Practices encompass standards within every facet of the transit operation, from the general manager’s office to safety programs. Transit properties are reviewed for compliance with the Best Practices and deficient areas are given focused attention by the member and by WSTIP. A workplan is developed to address the issue and WSTIP lends technical and financial assistance to help members meet Best Practice standards.

Grant Programs Address Safety and Risk Management Issues

In addition to providing financial assistance for members striving to meet the Best Practice standards, WSTIP also gives each member a $2,500 Risk Management grant. These grants are used to purchase equipment, fund safety incentive programs, and provide training than members may not otherwise be able to afford.

In 2003 the Board of Directors added a competitive grant program to address Best Practice or System Safety issues. The competitive grant program encourages members to form a partnership with another member to focus on programs that will specifically reduce exposure to WSTIP.