Fire and emergency service organizations throughout Texas have relied on VFIS’s Accident and Sickness program to cover emergency services related accidents and illnesses including heart attacks. However, many heart and circulatory related claims (including Cancer) may not be covered by Workers’ Compensation or Accident & Sickness policies.
Now, with the VFIS Critical Illness Insurance Program, Texas' emergency service personnel can receive a lump sum cash benefit when diagnosed with a heart attack, stroke or life threatening cancer. Learn More: http://www.vfistx.com/critical-illness.html
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Workers’ compensation is a state-regulated insurance system that pays the medical bills and some lost wages of employees injured on the job. Texas doesn’t require most private employers to have workers’ compensation insurance. Employers who don’t offer workers’ compensation coverage are called nonsubscribers.
Nonsubscribers lose important legal protections, including immunity from most lawsuits by injured workers. They could also be forced to pay high damage awards if an injured employee can prove in court that the employer was negligent in any way. If an employer has workers’ compensation insurance, Texas law limits the employer’s liability for work-related injuries. Injured employees may get medical and income benefits set by state law but may not sue their employers. Employers without workers’ compensation could be forced to pay punitive damages if they lose injury lawsuits. They also lose certain common-law defenses, such as arguing that
Employers that do not carry workers’ compensation coverage must file DWC Form-005 annually with the Texas Department of Insurance. A written notice must also be posted at the workplace telling employees that they do not have workers’ compensation insurance. For more information and copies of the notices – CLICK HERE . Since the 4th of July holiday is right around the corner, some of our fire departments will be setting off fireworks displays. State law in Texas requires individuals who assemble, conduct and supervise the setting off of Fireworks 1.3G for public display to have a Pyrotechnic Operator’s License which is $45 initially and $25 for renewal. Fireworks 1.3G are sold by licensed distributors and are larger than the normal fireworks sold at a stand. A state permit is also required for single display ($50) or multiple display ($400). This permit also requires $500,000 general liability coverage.
State law also requires individuals who supervise the setting off of Fireworks 1.4G for public displays of 50 or more people to have a Pyrotechnic Special Effects Operator’s License. Fireworks 1.4G are those sold at fireworks stands to the general public. The Special Effects Operator license is also $45 initially and $25 for renewal. No state permit is required if using Fireworks 1.4G, however, local authority may require a permit. Departments that do not obtain the proper license and/or permit are breaking the law. Helpful Downloads:
If you have any specific questions, please call Susan Light at the Texas Department of Insurance at 512-305-7932. Click Here to Download This Flyer as a PDF.
We are excited to introduce new property and casualty enhancements to the VFIS insurance program. These enhancements will become effective August 1, 2014, and most of these changes will be made automatically at no cost to you. Some of the new enhancements include:
The title of SFFMA State Firefighter of the Year and SFFMA State EMS Responder of the Year are given to only an elite few. To be nominated for these awards and to be selected from so many is quite an honor.
Each individual nominated for these awards is recognized for their strong values, leadership, vision, heroism and dedication. Congratulations to all of the nominees and to David Wade, 2014 SFFMA State Firefighter of the Year and to James Carr, 2014 SFFMA State EMS Responder of the Year! The nominees and winners were recognized this past weekend at the SFFMA Conference in Lubbock. Also recognized were all the recipients of the 2014 Firefighter Safety & Training Grant. VFIS of Texas and Texas Mutual Insurance Company recently awarded grants of up to $2,500 to 39 volunteer fire departments across Texas. Funds awarded through the Firefighter Safety & Training Grant Program will enable these departments to participate in a certification program and training to support critical workplace safety training. Fifty-eight volunteer fire departments applied for the grant and the 39 grantees were selected based on their financial needs and the impact the funds would have in their safety and training efforts. VFIS of Texas and Texas Mutual Insurance Company partnered with the State Firemen’s & Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas (SFFMA) to manage the application process and select the grant recipients. The following volunteer fire departments were awarded grants: Bowman Community VFD, Boyd Fire Rescue, China Spring VFD, City of San Diego FD, Clint FD, Cookville VFD, Cottonwood Shores VFD, Crafton VFD, Cresson VFD, Daingerfield FD, Indian Creek VFD, Jamaica Beach VFD, Kaufman VFD, LaRue-New York VFD, Levita FD, Lone Star VFD, Mico VFD, Nevada VFD, Paducah VFD, Pleasant Grove VFD, Possum Kingdom West Side VFD, Rising Star VFD, Rocksprings/Edwards County VFD, Sand Hills VFD, Santa Rosa VFD, Santo Fire and EMS, Six Mile Community VFD, Somervell County Fire, South Ector County VFD, Sunset VFD, Terrell VFD, Tolar VFD, Trout Creek VFD, Turnersville VFD, Village of Pleak VFD, Wayland VFD, Westminster VFD, Whitney VFD and Windthorst VFD. |
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