Content area
Full text
CNA has been providing professional liability insurance coverage for CRNAs through AANA Insurance Services since July 2002. CNA has been providing this coverage through its admitted insurance company, American Casualty Company of Reading, Pa. AANA Insurance Services did not have a non-admitted coverage option from CNA available for members who did not meet the underwriting guidelines of American Casualty. That has changed.
Non-admitted coverage for CRNAs is now available through CNA's Columbia Casualty Company. The underwriting guidelines of nonadmitted insurance companies are more flexible than those of admitted insurance companies. However, there are significant coverage differences between admitted and non-admitted insurance companies. The article titled "Buyer Beware: What You Don't Know About Professional Liability Insurance Can Hurt You," which appeared in last month's NewsBulletin, explained many of these differences. This article is also available in the "Insurance" section of the AANA website (www.aana.com).
Why Non-Admitted Coverage?
As last month's article explained, non-admitted coverage is typically only available to applicants who have been declined by an admitted insurance company. There are a number of reasons why a member might not meet the underwriting guidelines of an admitted insurance company and would need to secure coverage from a non-admitted insurance company. Non-admitted coverage may be the only option available for CRNAs who have had claims, substance abuse issues, licensure or regulatory inquiries, unusual risk characteristics, or failed to purchase a "tail" on a previous claims-made policy.
As you might expect, claims are a common reason why a CRNA might not be eligible for admitted coverage. However, having had a claim does not automatically make you ineligible for admitted coverage through CNA's American Casualty.
It is not unusual for American Casualty to approve applicants who have had claims-even if they have had significant settlements or judgments made against them-for admitted coverage. The applicants most likely...