Introduction

In 1975, the Bishop of Cleveland appointed an Insurance Committee to research and establish a Master Risk Management and Insurance Program to achieve premium savings, uniformity, broader coverage, and improved catastrophe protection for the Diocese and its parishes. These objectives were accomplished by the Committee through the Diocesan Insurance Service Corporation (D.I.S.C.), an agency created solely for this purpose. The DISC agency was an effective method of providing service to the Diocese and its parishes for many years. Retirement of key personnel at the Evarts Tremaine agency resulted in the Diocese partnering with the Oswald Companies in 2018 as property and casualty insurance advisors. The Diocesan Finance Office continues to administer this Program in cooperation with the Oswald Companies. Together, their study of potential liability exposures or changes in legislation affecting insurance practices are constantly reviewed to make sure the coverage afforded is cost effective.

The Diocesan Master Risk Management and Insurance Program provides and extends insurance protection to the Diocese of Cleveland, its institutions, parishes, and invitees. The purpose of this manual is to outline the primary features of the Program by providing brief descriptions of the coverages to and answer the most frequently-asked questions. Upon each policy renewal period, you will be provided inserts to update this information.

This manual is not an insurance policy or contract; it is intended as an easy-to-use reference guide. The explanations contained herein neither affirmatively or negatively amend, extend, or alter the coverage provided by the actual insurance policies and should not be construed as complete or definitive. The risk management coverages described in this manual are governed in accordance with the terms, conditions, definitions, and exclusions set forth in the first-layer insurance policy purchased from the commercial insurance market by the Diocese for each relevant type of insurance except where this manual expressly provides otherwise. The actual first-layer and any higher-layer excess policies purchased from the commercial insurance market by the Diocese are available for inspection by entities and individuals qualifying as insureds under those policies in the Diocesan Property/Casualty Insurance Office. Please refer your specific questions to this office.