EDUCATORS EMPLOYMENT LIABILITY (EEL) PROGRAM

The Educators Employment Liability (EEL) Program is an insurance program that protects FEA members from personal financial liability for incidents arising out of their employment.  Individuals are automatically covered by the EEL Program as a benefit of membership in the association.  The program provides insurance coverage for situations which result in damages to someone other than the member such as:

Liability Benefits

Payment of the legal costs of defending civil suits (other than suits concerning Civil Rights) brought against a member in the course of his/her employment; and, up to $1,000,000.00 per member per occurrence in damages assessed against the member as a result of such suits with an aggregate amount of $3,000,000.000. The policy also provides up to $250,000 for defense, settlements or judgments and other supplementary payments for suits concerning Civil Rights.

Attorney's Fees For the Defense of Criminal Proceedings

Reimbursement for attorney fees and other legal costs up to $35,000 when a member is charged with violating a criminal statute in the course of his/her employment and the member is exonerated from these charges. Allegations relative to corporal punishment are reimbursed up to $35,000 notwithstanding the disposition of the case.

Bail Bond

Reimbursement up to $1,000 of bail bond premium when a member must post a bond as the result of an occurrence arising out of the member's employment.

The EEL program is currently underwritten and administered by Horace Mann Insurance Company (HMIC).  In order to access the program, members must first report claims to the local.  The Office of Legal Services coordinates and monitors the claims through HMIC.  Because this program was designed for education employees, when conflicts arise with either the school board or other insurance providers, Horace Mann historically resolves the conflict in favor of the employee.