Welcome

The United Schools Insurance Program of Oregon (USIPO) was formed in 2004 as a property and liability insurance pooling program for Oregon school districts. This program was designed to address all facets of school district issues and provide a viable insurance alternative. The USIPO was patterned after the unique and successful school insurance programs that Canfield, the USIPO third-party administrator, directs in the Northwest.  Since the early 1980's, these programs have provided unparalleled service and protection, and continue to flourish today.  A Board of Directors, elected by the USIPO membership, governs the program. The Board of Directors contracts with Canfield to carry out the day-to-day administrative, claims and risk management services.

Program Features

  • Excess Insurance Coverage: The USIPO self-insures those losses that are manageable and predictable. Excess insurance coverage is purchased to protect the members against catastrophic claims.
  • Aggregate Stop Loss Coverage: The USIPO purchases aggregate stop loss coverage to protect the pool assets against an abnormal frequency of claims in one year. This coverage eliminates the risk of any retroactive assessments if the liability losses exceed the amount budgeted and collected from the membership.
  • Risk Management: The USIPO offers the broadest and most comprehensive range of risk management/loss control services in the industry. By reducing the number of claims through education of the membership, the overall insurance costs are reduced and remain stable for the membership year in and year out.
  • Claims / Litigation Management: Through the USIPO's administrator, claims are adjusted and handled "in-house" rather than contracting out this vital service. Aggressive third party adjusting is balanced by the need to be aware of the individual political needs of the membership. Members are included in the overall plan and are vital to litigation settlement discussions. It is the philosophy of the program to find coverage for membership claims rather than search out exclusions to avoid paying claims.
  • Broad Coverage / Competitive Cost: The USIPO provides some of the broadest and most comprehensive coverage available to school districts. However, controlling costs and providing stable rates throughout the unpredictable insurance cycles is paramount to the USIPO. The rates, along with coverages, are the most competitive offered. The ultimate goal of the program is to reduce the losses through on-site education and through sound fiscal management, controlling large insurance cost fluctuations. With the elimination of the threat of retroactive reassessments, the USIPO offers its membership unique insurance stability.

Third Party Administrator

The USIPO contracts with Canfield for day-to-day administration of the program. In addition to the United Schools Insurance Program of Oregon, Canfield developed and serves as the pool administrator for six other insurance programs.  With over 20 years experience providing school-specific pool administration, claims and litigation management, and risk management services, they are uniquely qualified to deliver on the expectations of the Board of Directors.