Getting Bond Coverage

Question: We are currently considering bonding all our staff who handle money. Policies quoted to us range from $250 to over $800 per month, with the most expensive policy covering theft, ERISA, forgery, on premises and transit, funds transfer, computer fraud, personal accounts, and claim expense. We have 17 full- and part-time workers. What is the recommended amount of bond coverage? What additional coverage is recommended?

Answer: Here is a good recommendation from Karen Zupko of Zupko and Associates who often deals with these issues:

“I would ask three insurance brokers with ties to medical societies to comment on this. I don’t recommend fidelity bonds anymore-unless it’s on the executive director with lots of power and the entity has lots of money. My understanding is that it is as effective and less expensive to cover staff under the office umbrella policy.”

Try some medical association brokers and see what they say.