In addition to the new Bar-sponsored liability program, the SDCBA is beginning 2004 with more member benefits, including a long-term care program through Barney & Barney LLC and a Preferred Member Discount Program with Staples Office Supply.
Taking advantage of its membership numbers, the SDCBA can provide these programs so that firms of all sizes will have access to cost-effective services beneficial to those in the practice of law.
Insurance Discounts
Members already qualify for special discounted rates from Barney & Barney for dental disability, disability income, life, medical and workers' compensation insurance plans. In addition, the Bar now offers a long-term care program through Barney & Barney.
The long-term care policies are individual policies that are looked at like a group, and receive a 5-percent across-the board discount, according to Gary Gunning, Barney & Barney account executive and a certified financial planner. “The policies will be underwritten on an individual basis for any member of the Bar,” he said.
The membership has an opportunity to customize their coverage however they would like to design it, he added. “They will have the ability to change the daily benefits if they would like, the duration of the benefits. They’ll have the ability to have home care, residential care or nursing home care. They’ll have the ability to add spouses or parents if they would like.”
Some businesses may also elect to do what is called a “rapid pay,” to prepay premiums using pre-tax dollars to pay for the policy prior to retirement.
Staples Business Advantage Program
The SDCBA Preferred Member Discount Program through Staples Office Supply allows SDCBA members to take part in a corporate pricing program even though they are individual buyers. By giving individuals the buying volume of the entire Bar membership, the contract allows an additional 10-to 15-percent off the current discounted business program, according to Daniel White, business development associate for Staples, West Coast Division, San Diego office.
“What we have done in order to help all members of the organization is basically set up a three-tier program,” he said. According to White, any SDCBA member who spends less than $800 a month would be included in the corporate pricing, provided they purchase on a credit card. Members spending between $800 and approximately $3,000 a month would have the option of accounts payable versus credit card, or both, with the SDCBA agreement discount; and any group above that would qualify for custom pricing.
Once an account is open, members will be able to order online and use a UPS style tracking system included with the program. “Each member, regardless of size, will have a personal account manager assigned to their account, just something to utilize other than a customer service representative,” White added.
Overall, members should realize anywhere from a 13-percent to 20-percent savings depending on who they are with or what they are buying, White said.
With 13 stores in the greater San Diego area, Staples is the self-described “originator of the office superstore concept.” Established in 1986, Staples revolutionized the office supply industry by bringing everything under one roof to provide dependable business services at competitive prices. With its large buying power and ability to aggregate products, Staples offers everything from customized printing to payroll services. Altogether, they operate more than 1,400 office products superstores worldwide.
White is the prime contact for anybody interested in the program and may be contacted directly at (619) 641-0026, ext.228, or e-mail to daniel.white2@staples.com.
“They can call me directly, and we will get them set up on the program,” White said. “It takes literally 5 to 10 minutes to get the program launched and open up an account for a customer.”
Professional Liability Coverage
The Bar-sponsored professional liability program started last month through Ahern Insurance Brokerage. A locally-owned and operated insurance company, Ahern has been providing commercial insurance to the local legal community for more than 11 years, with access to more than 20 different companies with proprietary programs for small, medium and large firms, and currently representing approximately 1,400 law firms. The brokerage also has program endorsement experience with other bar associations, including the Bar Association of San Francisco and Orange County Bar Association.
The Bar’s policy provides a one-year coverage period for anywhere from 1 to 50 lawyers. Policy limits are $500,000 to $5 million per claim or annual policy period, with deductibles as low as $5,000.
In addition, there is a free retirement tail associated with the policy, input on the selection of legal defense counsel in the event of a claim, a sublimit for disciplinary actions, and risk management services provided by XL Capital, Ahern and the SDCBA working together.
The professional liability carrier, XL Capital, is one of the financially strongest carriers in California with $40 billion in assets and a rating of A+(Superior) from A.M. Best, the nation’s leading insurance industry rating service.
For more information, call Brian Ahern, president of Ahern Insurance Brokerage at (858)571-9030, ext. 101.
