If you use a broker, please let them know that we will compete vigorously for your business.

The Hanover Insurance Group (“The Hanover”) as the underwriter for The NLADA Insurance Program. The Hanover is an excellent carrier that is financially stable with assets in the billions, and a financial rating of “A” or “Excellent.” CNA will continue as the underwriter for the full policy period where there is an inception date of December 31, 2010 or earlier but will no longer be authorized to underwrite any NLADA Insurance Program policies with a later inception date.

Wells Fargo Insurance Services, Inc., the fifth largest insurance brokerage firm in the world, whose presence in the program assures NLADA Insurance Program policyholders’ interests are always effectively represented in the commercial insurance marketplace.

We’re processing renewals and new applications four months out from policy expiration dates, offering these enhancements:

1. Premium Relief Immediately
   • We’re aggressively advocating The Hanover to meet or beat competitive bids, where financially sound underwriting permits.
2. Ease of Application: Beginning January 2012.
   • You’ll be able to apply for your policy online--your application, quoting, binding and policy issuance electronically processed. 
3. Risk Management Training and Materials to Reduce Risks and Premiums and Improve Coverage-- Tailored to the Specialized Needs of the Equal Justice Community: Beginning December 2011
   • No cost online access to NLADA Insurance Program Risk Management Resource Center that includes: online risk management materials --customizable management policy guidelines and forms for particular program needs, local impact requirements and professional liability.

The NLADA Insurance Program – Treats you as an Investor. Serves as Your Insurance Advocate.

The NLADA Insurance Program:

• Keep market prices competitive and stable. Since our entrance in the market the average insurance costs per attorney have been cut in half.
• Provide top quality products and insurance advocacy: Our knowledge, experience and dedication to the equal justice community is unparalleled in this insurance market.
• Support important NLADA and Equal Justice Community Initiatives: Our net proceeds are re-invested in the equal justice community. In these challenging economic times, NLADA is working harder than ever to support you in providing quality legal representation to people who can’t afford counsel.

The NLADA Insurance Program, formed in 1994, serves as the advocate and provider of quality professional liability insurance products for the full spectrum of the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) membership community— including individual attorneys, legal aid organizations, public defenders, corporate pro bono law programs, law school clinics, individual clients and public interest groups. Today, 1,100 NLADA members nationwide purchase an array of quality professional liability insurance products from the NLADA Insurance Program.

The NLADA Insurance Program offers superlative coverage by the Hanover Insurance Group, an established domestic insurer with financial ratings of “A” or Excellent. Wells Fargo Insurance Services, USA, Inc. serves as our broker. The NLADA Insurance Program’s knowledge, experience and dedication to the equal justice community is unparalleled in the insurance market; we advocate for competitive pricing and product excellence on behalf of your specialized insurance needs.

We treat our policyholders as investors; reinvesting our net proceeds back into the Equal Justice community in the form of training and support of NLADA national and community initiatives. We’re committed to expanding to meet your changing needs, ensuring you receive the best coverage, price and service available, today and in the future. Since our entrance in the market the average insurance costs per attorney have been cut in half. The NLADA Insurance Program is a nonprofit subsidiary of NLADA.

NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., a Risk Retention Group (“NLADA Mutual”), is America’s equal justice insurance firm. We seek to empower the equal justice community with the courage, confidence, and peace of mind that comes with knowing you have the coverages you need while serving on the frontlines of advancing justice and expanding equity and opportunity for all.

NLADA Mutual is an evolved version of the NLADA Insurance Program. Created in 1994, the NLADA Insurance Program partnered with a commercial carrier to provide professional liability insurance products and serves as an advocate in the industry for the full spectrum of the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) membership community—individuals and programs working for equal justice. As a result of our advocacy in the marketplace, there have been significant reductions in premiums, allowing member-insureds to invest more of their limited resources into their important work that advances equal justice.

The leadership of NLADA and the NLADA Insurance Program recognized that it was time for a change. With decades of experience, we have seen over time that our ability to keep premiums down and provide you with the specialized coverages that you need is dependent on the degree of our control over decision-making. The evolution to NLADA Mutual means more control over policies and pricing. NLADA Mutual will be owned by the policyholders and members of NLADA and governed by a board of directors mostly drawn from and elected by the NLADA community. The new entity means that the NLADA community controls the resources that the NLADA Insurance Program provides, and that all of the net proceeds stay in the NLADA community.

The NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., a Risk Retention Group, (“NLADA Mutual”) is America’s first and only equal justice insurance and risk management insurance firm exclusively dedicated to equipping you with the coverage you need to courageously and confidently advance justice and equity for all. As an evolved version of the NLADA Insurance Program, we are committed to providing the excellent products and services to which you are accustomed.

A mutual insurance company is owned entirely by its policyholders and governed by a board of directors on behalf of the policyholders. In this instance, NLADA member-insureds will own NLADA Mutual, and members of this community will serve on its board. NLADA Mutual is established by and for the equal justice leaders and advocates in the field and related organizations, all of whom together make access to justice possible.

A Risk Retention Group (or “RRG”) is a specific type of mutual insurance company that can operate in all states and the District of Columbia after being formed and licensed in one state. RRGs are authorized by federal law. RRGs are closely regulated by the jurisdiction in which they are domiciled and licensed. NLADA Mutual is licensed in the District of Columbia and can provide coverage anywhere in the United States.

This is an exciting new point! NLADA Mutual will underwrite its own coverages that account for the uncommon set of risks and liability requirements within the equal justice community. The NLADA Insurance Program will be transitioning its underwriter from Hanover to NLADA Mutual. Hanover will continue as the underwriter for the full policy period for all policies issued through December 31, 2022 until their expiration. Hanover will not be authorized to underwrite NLADA Insurance Program policies that expire on January 1, 2023 or later, and NLADA Mutual will take on that role.

The new insurance company – NLADA Mutual – represents a significant advancement for equal justice. We will have more control of underwriting, claims handling, and governance as we work to meet your insurance needs. We’re committed to ensuring that you receive the best coverage, price, and service available today and in the future. Importantly, all of the net proceeds will stay in the NLADA community.

The NLADA Insurance Program staff will continue in their role as manager and administrator of the program. Insurance Program staff will be the primary staff for NLADA Mutual and will remain your point of contact for obtaining or renewing your policy, making payments, answering your questions about coverage, assisting you with using the portal, and any other help you need.

NLADA Mutual is partnering with Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co., (“MLM”), an AM Best A-rated company with decades of experience providing lawyers professional liability insurance, to provide some of the management services, including claims administration. You will also have access to MLM’s nationally recognized risk management resources.

Premiums will not increase with the transition to NLADA Mutual, subject to the usual rating and underwriting considerations. In fact, we anticipate being able to offer premium improvements over time as a direct result of the formation of the new company.

Initially, your coverages will not change with the transition to NLADA Mutual. In the near future, we plan to offer enhanced coverages and limits to better serve the needs of our members.

NLADA Mutual is partnering with Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co., a mutual insurance company with over $200 million in assets, over $100 million in surplus and an AM Best financial strength rating of “A” (Excellent), which will back your policy.

Policies that have an effective date of January 1, 2023, or later will be underwritten by NLADA Mutual. Policies with an effective date from today until December 31, 2022, will continue to be issued through Hanover. Before the expiration of your current policy, we will send you a notification regarding your policy’s expiration, and that Hanover will not be renewing the policy, along with information on how to reapply for your new NLADA Insurance Program policy with NLADA Mutual.

No. Policies currently in force are not affected by the change. All existing claims will continue to be serviced by Hanover until they are resolved. Additionally, please note that all claims and potential claims you become aware of while Hanover coverage is in effect must be reported to Hanover.

No. NLADA Insurance Program policies with expiration dates between now and December 31, 2022, will continue to be underwritten by Hanover. When those policies expire in 2023, they will be underwritten by NLADA Mutual.

Yes! NLADA Mutual is ready and available to assist you. The ideal time to begin the process is about 90 days prior to the expiration of your current policy. Please contact us at [email protected].

Be sure to file ALL CLAIMS and KNOWN POTENTIAL CLAIMS with Hanover before the expiration date of your Hanover policy. Please talk about these changes with your employees to ensure you are aware of all possible claims and circumstances. Although Hanover will no longer be the underwriter for NLADA Insurance Program policies starting in 2023, they remain obligated to all terms and conditions of existing policies underwritten by Hanover until those plans expire.

As a part of our commitment to making this transition as seamless as possible, we will continue to use the NLADA Insurance Program’s Account Processing System (NAMS), our current policy management portal. We are pleased to share that in response to your comments and suggestions, we will be implementing improvements to NAMS to make it more user-friendly in the near term. Of course, NLADA Insurance Program staff are available to assist you with any questions or issues that you may have with NAMS.

Absolutely! We are happy to work with you! For effective dates on or after January 1, 2023, the coverage will be provided by NLADA Mutual, and we are happy to provide you a quote. If your current policy expires on or before December 31, 2022, we will be happy to provide you a quote for a Hanover policy.

Upon receiving your quote and activating your insurance products, you become an owner of NLADA Mutual. Purchasing your policy is a commitment to becoming a member of NLADA, America’s oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. Your premiums go directly back to the work of NLADA and support your work in the field. This model creates a flywheel of enrichment for all involved.

NLADA Mutual is solely dedicated to the equal justice community, providing best-in-class insurance products and risk management services. Specifically, we are:

• Dedicated to You

  The equal justice community carries a unique set of risks and liabilities as it charts an ambitious trajectory among the underserved. NLADA Mutual is founded by an organization that is actively championing and advancing your work, and we are here to support you and your unique needs. We offer standard-setting insurance products tailored to your practice and your program. We deliver risk management services and training grounded in a proactive evidence-based approach. We consistently advocate on your behalf within the insurance industry. We are a critical partner as you pursue a thoroughgoing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy.
   

• Dedicated to Service

  We serve you with cost-efficient insurance products that meet you where you practice. We provide ongoing personal support as you encounter and navigate risk. We deliver prompt and high-touch claims counsel in the moments that matter.
   

• Dedicated to Our Model

  When you activate our insurance products on your own behalf, you become an owner of NLADA Mutual. You also access the member benefits of NLADA, America’s oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. Your premiums go back to the work of NLADA and members in the field. We believe that business can and should be a force for good – and lead on justice and equity.
   

• Dedication Backed by Experience

  We’ve been serving as the equal justice community’s insurance advocate since 1994. With decades of service, we bring a depth and breadth of experience to bear that make us the trusted partner of equal justice organizations and firms across the country. They know we deliver programs at exceptional value while understanding the power derived from insurance programs dedicated to their particular needs. Your policy is backed by Minnesota Lawyer’s Mutual (MLM), an “A” (Excellent) rated insurance company that is financially strong with assets in the hundred millions and a strong capital position.