
Carl R. Green, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Housing
Authority accepts a dividend check of $542,663 from Dan Labrie,
President and CEO of the Housing Authority Insurance Group (right)
and Dominic Mazzoccoli, the group's Vice President for
Underwriting. HAIG rewards member agencies that reduce the number
and size of insurance claims. PHA received the largest dividend of
any public housing authority in the nation.
The largest dividend check given to any
housing authority in the country - a whopping $541,662 - has been
presented to The Philadelphia Housing Authority by the Housing
Authority Insurance Group.
According to HAIG President and CEO Dan
Labrie, PHA's record of fewer and less severe insurance claims over
the last year earned the agency the large dividend.
PHA Executive Director Carl Greene
attributed the across the board reduction in number and severity of
claims to improved property management, increased safety awareness
among staff and residents and better claims handling by
employees.
"If you have a well-managed property,
people don't fall," Greene pointed out, which eliminates a major
cause of personal injury claims.
The housing authority also has a Safety
Committee to increase awareness among employees and residents of
safety issues. This has resulted, Greene said, in fewer
accidents.
Property damage claims are also down,
added PHA's Insurance Services Manager Ellen Hugar. She said claims
were also reduced for fire damage, auto damage and wind damage.
Hugar credits PHA's property managers with doing an excellent job
of maintaining the properties to keep these claims down.
Labrie explained that the size of the
dividend check is based on PHA's performance. HAIG manages the
insurance needs of housing authorities throughout the nation.
Member agencies contribute to a central pot, and dividends are
based on HAIG's revenues minus expenses.
"The fewer claims, the more the dividend,"
he said.
Overall, he said, housing authorities are
getting better at reducing insurance claims.
But PHA's efforts topped them all.