This insurance protects the employer from financial loss due to the fraudulent activities of an employee or group of employees. The loss can be the result of the employee’s theft of money, securities or other property of the employer.

Fraud and embezzlement in the workplace is on the rise. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) estimates business losses $400 billion per year or about 6% of total annual revenue. Small companies can be especially affected by theft and embezzlement because they can’t afford extensive safeguards and aren’t large enough to absorb losses. Workplace crime is carried out by employees 80% of the time. One in four employees who has committed fraud against their employer had been with the company more than ten years.

Yes, in most cases they are considered the same type of coverage. Employee dishonesty insurance is also sometimes called crime coverage, employee dishonesty bond, fidelity bond and crime fidelity insurance.

An employer is protected from theft by its employees. In addition employers are protected from covered losses due to burglary and destruction. The exact definition of “who” is covered is defined in the policy, but should include all current or former employees, partners, members, directors, volunteers, trustees, seasonal employees and temporary persons at your direction and control.

Stand alone policies are designed to cover employee thefts, robbery and safe burglaries. Coverage can also include: 1. Forgery or alteration 2. Funds transfer fraud 3. Computer fraud 4. Credit card fraud 5. Money order and counterfeit fraud.

Yes, an endorsement can be added to include ERISA compliance. ERISA requires a bond equal to 10% of the assets up to a maximum limit of $500,000. This is very convenient and eliminates the need for a separate ERISA bond.

Yes, you are required by ERISA to bond or insure your plans from employee dishonesty in the lesser of $500,000 or 10% percent of all plan assets. The Department of Labor has the authority to prescribe a bond in excess of $500,000, up to 10% of the value of all plan assets as of the beginning of the plan year. Fiduciary liability is not required by ERISA.

A fiduciary liability policy protects the personal assets of a plan Fiduciary due to allegations of breach of fiduciary duties.

This coverage, added by endorsement, extends coverage to a client with which you are under written contract to perform services. The policy will pay for loss of or damage to money, securities and other property owned or leased by a client from theft by an employee of the policyholder. This endorsement modifies the policy to include coverage at the client’s premises.

Limits will vary by the exposure and the needs of the insured. For firms that handle cash and securities, estimate the annual volume and multiply by 20% to get a starting point for limits. Minimum limits are $100,000 and many policies will cover $500,000 without significant additional premiums. Coverage for depositor’s forgery, computer and funds transfers can also be purchased with separate limits.

Although nearly 50% of Fiduciaries think their ERISA mandated fidelity bond protects personal assets, it does not. The fidelity bond protects the plan from loss due to dishonest acts of those who handle plan assets.

Accounting or math errors or omissions Loss to income that you could have realized had there been no loss of or damage to money, securities or other property Vandalism Governmental action, seizure or destruction of property by the government Restatement of a profit and lost statement Theft by you for you. You can not steal from yourself; however coverage extends to partners, directors, members, and trustees.

Yes, business owner’s policies and other commercial office packages can add coverage by the base policy or by endorsement. The AICPA accountants program adds by endorsement employee dishonesty coverage.

Limits may be insufficient to cover real losses Terms, conditions and exclusions may limit coverage and only cover employee dishonesty losses marginally Business owners policies (BOP’s) may limit employee dishonesty to $10,000 Usually only first party coverage is available Employee dishonesty claims could impact your insurance policy designed for other exposures. (accountants error and omissions policies)

The AICPA plan employee dishonesty endorsement is limited to a loss sustained basis. A loss must be sustained through acts committed or events occurring during the coverage period or extended reporting period. (No later than one year) Stand alone* employee dishonesty insurance will pay for a loss sustained through acts or events committed or occurring at any time and which are discovered during the policy period or extended policy period.