Frequently Asked Questions

What is the WASB Insurance Plan?

The WASB Insurance Plan was created in 1980 to answer a serious problem facing Wisconsin school districts. Some school districts could not obtain certain types of insurance at any cost and others were finding only policies with poor coverage and high premiums.

Currently, the school district insurance market is at the opposite end of the spectrum. Many insurance companies are enticing school insurance buyers with a broad array of products and tempting incentives. In this ever-changing market, the WASB Insurance Plan continues to provide school districts with policies tailor-made for Wisconsin's schools along with unmatched service. Coverages are continually monitored relative to new exposures and liability risks that may arise.

How is the WASB Insurance Plan monitored?

The WASB Insurance Plan is governed by a board of trustees that is made up of board members from across Wisconsin. The current board of trustees includes:

Tim Sivertson, Chairman, Elk Mound School Board
Wanda Owens, Vice Chairperson, Barneveld School Board
Rick Eloranta, Owen-Withee School Board
Nancy Thompson, Waterloo School Board
John Ashley, Secretary, WASB Executive Director

Advisory Committee Members:

Thomas Wohlleber, Middleton-Cross Plains School District (WASBO)
Gus Knitt, Pardeeville Area School District (WASDA)

Who are the partners?

Liberty Mutual Group, and specifically Liberty Mutual Middle Market and Indiana Insuranceâ„¢, is endorsed by the Plan.   
Lathrop & Clark LLP - Lathrop & Clark is the legal counsel for the WASB Insurance Plan and the Board of Trustees. 
Gänder Consulting Group - Gänder Consulting Group is the retained risk management consulting firm for the WASB Insurance Plan.

Who sells the Plan?

Seven independent insurance agencies and brokers with office located throughout Wisconsin have been designated as Plan distributors.  These include:

1. Ansay & Associates (www.ansay.com); Tim Patterson 262-376-3249
2. Arthur J. Gallagher (www.ajg.com); Marty Malloy 608-828-3741
3. Johnson Insurance (www.johnsonins.com); Shawna Kelly Bertalot 608-203-3878
4. Maritime Insurance Group (www.maritime-ins.com); Mike Mrdjenovich 920-453-9004
5. R&R Insurance (www.myknowledgebroker.com); Bill Hattendorf 262-953-7128 
6. RJF Agencies, Inc. (www.rjfagencies.com); Bob St. Arnold 715-552-3614
7. Robertson Ryan & Associates (www.robertsonryan.com); Gary Burton 414-271-3575

Which of the seven agencies or brokers should we contact?

Each agent or broker has several Wisconsin offices.  We suggest using the following guidelines to select an agent or broker:

Geography:  Which agencies have offices located closest to the district?

Familiarity:  Are you familiar with one of the agencies?  Has one of them already contacted you and expressed interest in working with the district?

Still not sure who to call?  Pick two or three agencies with an office close to the district and interview an agent from each. 

What coverages are offered through the WASB Insurance Plan?

Coverages offered through the WASB Insurance Plan include: workers' compensation, general liability, automobile (liability and physical damage), umbrella liability and educators legal liability. Ancillary coverages that are also available include crime, boiler and machinery, and property.

Who do I contact with questions?

For general questions about the Plan, please contact Joe Koenig at WASB at 877-705-4422.

For questions related to Plan coverages, or risk management related questions, please contact Joy Gänder, CPCU, ARM, Gänder Consulting Group, 621 N. Sherman Avenue, Madison, WI 53704, phone 877-759-9167, fax 608-442-6811.