professional
liability
Risk Retention Group
Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers to common questions about working with DPL, you broker, policies, billing, claims, and more.
A. Requests & Turnaround Times
Below is a breakdown of common requests and the appropriate contact information. To ensure timely service, please allow 24–48 business hours for an email response.
B. Working with your broker
An RRG, or Risk Retention Group, is a type of liability insurance company structure formed by businesses or professionals in the same industry or with similar liability exposures. RRGs are owned and governed by their members, who are typically individuals or entities in the same industry. The concept of RRGs is to pool the risks of their members together, which can lead to more stable and cost-effective insurance options. By spreading risk among a group of like-minded entities, members can potentially benefit from lower premiums and more tailored coverage. We are regulated at the federal level under Liability Risk Retention Act (LRRA) of 1986, and we comply with state insurance regulations in states where the primary insured operates. This allows RRGs to operate across state lines under certain conditions.
We only work through brokers. The primary insured relies on the broker to guide them through the insurance process, help them understand coverage options, and discuss terms with the insurance company. The broker acts as a liaison between the primary insured and the insurance company, communicating the primary insured's needs, submitting applications, and facilitating the policy issuance. The insurance company will provide accurate and complete information about the primary insured to determine coverage and premium rates.
C. Coverage questions
AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IL, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, WA
DPL only offers claim-made coverage and reported. Claims made and reported policies offer coverage for claims made against the insured during the policy period and reported to the insurer during the same period. Occurrence policy covers incidents that occurred during a given policy’s period. Can file a claim whether policy is active or not.
An Extended Reporting Period (ERP) applies when you have an active policy with us and need additional time to report claims under your current coverage.
A Tail Policy applies when you no longer have active coverage with us and need retroactive coverage to report claims arising from a prior policy period.
We do not offer unlimited tails. We have a 4 year option only
Non-stacking means that if a claim involves more than one insured person or entity under the same policy, the coverage limits do not increase. The policy will pay up to the stated limit only once for the claim, regardless of how many insureds are involved or how many claims arise from the same incident.
An endorsement in the insurance policy that addresses coverage for physicians who have retired, left the company or ceased practicing medicine etc. This endorsement extends liability coverage to claims that may arise after a physician has stopped practicing ensuring that they are still protected from potential malpractice lawsuits related to their prior professional activities, as long as the primary insured policy remains in force.
Claims-made policies typically have a lower initial premium that increases gradually over a period of one to five years, until the policy is at a mature rate.
After that, premiums will only change due to claim experience or if the insurance company makes overall rate adjustments. The price of coverage increases year over year. For instance, it’s common for a policy to double from year 1 to year 2 and increase by up to 50% from year 2 to year 3.
That is when the price of the coverage plateaus and the yearly renewal costs stay the same, unless you have a claim, or the insurance company raises rates.
A new DPL application is required every five years.
If you have any open claims with another carrier, updated loss runs must be submitted. In some cases, an underwriter may choose not to renew a policy and will provide advance notice in accordance with required guidelines. Any new underwriting guidelines in effect at the time of renewal will also apply.
We have an online education program, CME (Continued Medical Education) to help you save 5%. This can be used for new business or renewal.
For non-surgical specialties please complete 3 courses and for surgical specialties please complete 5 course to save on your next renewal.
Visit: https://www.dplrrg.com/riskmanagment to purchase the recommended courses for your specialty. Once completed send to your broker and Quote@prms-us.com
D. Billing and Finance
Contact your broker to provide payment if you did not finance.
If you financed please review the PFA (Premium Financing Agreement) for contact details to contact the Finance company. The insured or broker would provide the down payment to DPL and then the monthly installment is paid through the finance company on an ACH (Automated Clearing House) schedule
If your account is not paid within 30 days of the policy inception date, a Notice of Cancellation is issued to your broker. Please contact your broker immediately to make payment before the cancellation date listed on the notice.
If your policy is financed and a payment is missed or funds are insufficient, a notice will be sent to both your broker and the insurance company. Contact your finance company to bring your account current. Once payment is made, the finance company will provide a reinstatement notice. Submit this along with a No Known Loss form so coverage can be reinstated.
E. Claims
If faced with a claim, let your insurance company know either by email, fax, or mail. Please include facts and circumstances, the nature of the alleged or potential damages, the identity of potential claimants and insured involvement, the manner in which the Insured first became aware of the circumstances, and the consequences which have resulted or may result
Email: claims@prms-us.com
Fax: (949) 607-1421
Address: DPL: 23276 S. Pointe Dr. Suite 204 Laguna Hills, California 92653
Notify your Broker - your broker is your advocate and will act as your intermediary to provide knowledgeable insurance guidance
Once submitted you will be contacted within 24-48 hours by our claims team to discuss your claims inquiry