The Uniting Church in Australia Synod of WA has a responsibility for insurance of all property vested in the Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (WA), including their related business activities.
About Insurance Services
The Uniting Church Western Australia has a responsibility for insurance of all property vested in the Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (WA), including their related business activities.
Uniting Church Insurance Services (UCIS) is responsible for the negotiation, purchase and management of the insurance programme to protect the assets, earnings and liabilities of the various Agencies, Instrumentalities, Schools and Congregations of the Church.
UCIS is responsible for the administration of the insurance programme which includes:
- Day-to- day general management of the insurance programme
- Providing insurance advice to all Caring Agencies, Instrumentalities, Schools and Congregations
- Liaising with Insurance Brokers
- Management of the self-insurance fund
- Management of insurance claims
- Obtaining all necessary underwriting information from Caring Agencies, Instrumentalities, Schools and Congregations to negotiate renewal of the insurance programme
- Allocating insurance costs to each organisation on a fair and equitable basis
- Ensuring Underwriters policies are in accordance with our requirements and retain them for safekeeping
- Keeping regular contact with all Caring Agencies, Instrumentalities, Schools and Congregations
- Issue of Certificates of Currency
- Co-ordinating the Insurance Handbook and Insurance Manuals for all Caring Agencies, Instrumentalities, Schools and Congregations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who do I contact for Insurance Services at the Uniting Church Western Australia Synod Office?
A. Contact our Uniting Church Insurance Risk (UCIS) team. Scroll down to view their contact details.
Q. Are we covered for Public Liability if we hold an event off-site?
A. Yes, the Public Liability Insurance policy covers all activities under the control of the Uniting Church.
Q. Is there evidence of Public Liability Insurance that can be obtained?
A. Yes, the evidence of cover is known as a Certificate of Currency. The Public Liability Certificate of Currency is available by contacting UCIS.
Q. What amount can we claim for under the property policy?
A. The full cost of replacement or reinstatement subject to the declared value of the property being adequate.
Q. Does the age of our building make any difference?
A. No, even our oldest buildings are fully covered. However, it’s important that Heritage listed buildings are insured for reinstatement in accordance with Heritage requirements.
Q. What is not covered by the property policy?
A. Normal wear and tear and gradual deterioration of property are two primary exclusions.
Q. If someone trips on our property and suffers an injury, what do we do?
A. Contact our UCIS team immediately.
Q. If we have a large or complicated property loss, what help is available?
A. The Insurance and Risk Officer will arrange for a Loss Assessor to assist as required.
Q. Are Volunteers insured if they injure themselves?
A. Yes, Personal Accident Insurance is arranged to cover all Volunteers engaged in authorised voluntary activities.
Q. Are private motor vehicles, whilst being used in authorised activities, insured under the insurance programme?
A. The definition of vehicle is extended to include your employee and voluntary worker’s vehicles whilst any such vehicle is being used by the employee or voluntary worker in the conduct of your business.
Q. If we hire our premises to third parties, are they required to have Public Liability Insurance?
A. It is expected that most hirers will have their own Public Liability Insurance. However, insurance can be arranged to provide protection for Hire
Claims Procedure
In the event of a general claim, or potential claim:
- Assess the loss or damage caused
- If it relates to property, take photos of the damage
- Inform the relevant agencies, including 000 for emergencies
- Identify witnesses and take their contact details
- Complete your internal Incident Report
- Complete the appropriate Claims Form or procedures
- Inform the UCIS team with the relevant information and supporting documents.
In the event of an Emergency where lives are at risk, follow these steps:
Step 1: Call 000
Step 2: Contact your liaison person at Synod, UCIS team and Media if necessary
Step 3: If in doubt, refer all queries to the appropriate persons in Synod
Step 4: Do not arrive at conclusions till thorough investigations have been completed.
Industrial Special Risks Claims
Claims can arise from losses involving events such as:
- Fire
- Storm
- Flood
- Explosion
- Theft/Burglary
- Malicious Damage
- Breakage – Accidental Damage
- Impact by Vehicles.
Liability & Professional Indemnity Claims
Refer any claim or potential claim to UCIS and they will follow up with Insurers and appointed legal representatives. Do not provide any unsubstantiated information to third parties.
Business Travel Claims
Emergencies
Identification cards can be issued to overseas travelers and should be carried whilst travelling. These cards contain a telephone number for emergency assistance and the policy number. The service includes:
- Medical Insurance verification
- Payment guarantees to hospitals
- Emergency Medical Advice (24 hours per day)
- Case Management if hospitalised
- Cost containment and control
- Hospital discharge planning
- Arrangement of evacuation home
- 24-Hour Emergency Telephone Number (reverse charge anywhere in the world).
Insurer: Chubb Insurance Emergency
Emergency Number: +61 2 9929 2216
Non-Emergencies
A claim form should be prepared and sent to our team as soon as possible. Overseas travellers must report losses to the local police or responsible officer of any aircraft or vessel on which they are travelling.
Motor Vehicle Claims
In the event of loss or damage to a mote vehicle you should:
At the scene:
- Not admit fault.
- Ensure compliance with state or territory policy reporting procedures.
Endeavour to obtain:
- Other vehicle drivers name, address, licence number
- Owners name, address, phone number
- Make, model and registration of the other vehicle
- Insurance Company details of the other vehicle
- Witnesses details
- Make arrangement for the safety/towage of the vehicle.
After the accident
Immediate notification should be given to the Insurer.
Insurer: Vero
Phone: 1300 888 073
Email: lodgeclaim@vero.com.au
For ease of lodgement, it is suggested that you have the following information ready:
- Policy Number
- Loss Date
- Loss Time
- Loss Description (including cause and extent of damage)
- Situation of Loss
- Driver Details: Vehicle Registration Number, Name and address, Contact Number, Date of Birth, Licence Details
- Third Party Details (if relevant): Name, Address, Contact Number, Vehicle Registration Number, Vehicle Details, Insurance Details
- Witness Details: Name, Address, Contact Number
- Police Report: Station and Report Number.
The Vero claims department will assist in completing the claim and advise on the action to be taken to have the vehicle repaired.
Should you experience any problems in respect to your claim, contact our UCIS team immediately.
Workers Compensation Claims
When an employee sustains an injury as a result of an accident arising out of or in the course of employment, the particulars of the injury are to be:
- reported to the employee’s supervisor who will:
- ensure injury detail is recorded in the appropriate register
- arrange for necessary claim forms to be completed
- reported to the appropriate Claims Agent/Insurer/Government office.
In the event of a serious accident where there may be a possibility of Common Law action against the Company, your Company Secretary or other designated officer must be advised immediately.
Contact Us
If you are ever in doubt, immediately contact our UCIS team, who will advise on the actions to be taken.
Muralee Nair
Insurance and Risk Manager
08) 9260 9832
Muralee.Nair@wa.uca.org.au
Saumya Tripathi
Safety & Insurance Assistant Manager
(08) 9260 9831
Saumya.Tripathi@wa.uca.org.au
