PRODUCTS & SERVICES: AIG UNVEILS COMMUNICATIONS COVERAGE

NEW YORK- American International Group Inc. has formed a Communications Risk Group to service the communications industry.

It will sell insurance products and risk management services to communications companies such as regional and local telephone operating companies; cellular, mobile and wireless operators; equipment providers and manufacturers; cable system operators; broadcast and Internet service providers; and advertising agencies.

One product is AI LINK, a new policy providing professional liability coverages for telecommunication and multimedia service firms. AI LINK covers acts such as defamation, libel, slander, copyright infringement, and errors and omissions.

It can be written on a primary or excess basis, as a stand-alone policy or as part of a commercial general liability policy. Coverage is available with limits of up to $15 million.

The Communications Risk Group is one of AIG's CorporateOne series of industry-specific lines, which consist of several core coverages, each tailored to the needs of particular industries. For more information, call Andrew Lennox, vp-communications risk group, AIG Risk Management Inc., 212-770-7062.

Employer protection

HARTFORD, Conn.-A comprehensive insurance policy protecting employers against dishonest workers, computer fraud and other crime will be available this year from Travelers Bond, a division of The Travelers Indemnity Co.

The product, CrimePLUS, is intended for small to midsize public and private companies and non-profit organizations, and its six insurance agreements have limits that can be identical or scheduled separately.

The product has global coverage and expanded definitions of "employee theft" and "employee." In addition, more coverage is provided for auditing, personal accounts and electronic funds transfer, and coverage for third-party services and investigative costs also is available.

For information, call Susan Drake, senior vp, 860-277-1934.

Hospital safety

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill.-"Fire Safety," a Windows-based computer tutorial designed to teach hospital staff to identify fire hazards and handle fire emergencies, is available from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

The computerized training program, to be used in orientations and competency tests, uses color photographs to simulate emergency situations and tasks.

Employees will learn to spot fire dangers; sound alarms and contain and extinguish flames in simulated fires; choose the right type of fire extinguisher for the task and learn to use it; and evacuate the hospital.

The program allows facilities to customize the instruction according to skill level, job responsibilities as well as hospital department-specific and hospital-specific policies and procedures.

The software is $495. For more information, contact the distributor, Computerized Educational Systems, 800-275-1474.

Program for staffers

ATLANTA-An insurance program designed for staffing companies, such as professional employer organizations and temporary staffing services companies, is being offered by Atlanta-based American Safety Insurance Group.

Businesses purchasing the policy can obtain general liability and workers compensation coverages. Features include guaranteed cost programs, large and small deductibles, a rent-a-captive option with flexible requirements, extensive loss control services, claims management, safety audits and drug screenings.

The company has the capability, through independent agents and brokers, of writing policies throughout the United States on an admitted basis.

For more information, contact Ashley Russ, marketing representative, 800-388-3647.

ERISA Guidelines

WASHINGTON-An in-depth guide to 1996 changes in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act is now on sale from BNA Books, a division of the Bureau of National Affairs Inc.

This latest edition of "ERISA: The Law and the Code," outlines ERISA implications of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; and the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act of 1996.

The text is supplemented by detailed editors' notes, and changes from previous years' editions are noted. A full annotated text of the act also is included.

The 935-page paperback is available for $75 plus tax, shipping and handling. For information, call 800-960-1220.

Non-profit insurance

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.-The United States Liability Insurance Group has introduced two insurance products, both available throughout the United States.

The Non-Profit Social Service Package Program can cover non-residential settings such as: individual and group counseling, referral services, sheltered workshops, and adult day care. Residential locations might include respite care, hospices and homeless shelters.

Coverage, with separate limits available, includes commercial general, professional and molestation and abuse liability. Limits are $1 million per occurrence, $3 million general aggregate for both commercial general and professional liability, and up to $1 million per claim for molestation and abuse liability.

A second new product, USLI's Vacant Building Program, offers three-, six- and 12-month policies in either package or monoline form. Limits for buildings are $150,000 or $300,000, depending on protection class. Liability limits are $1 million per occurrence and $2 million general aggregate.

For information, call John G. Donahue Jr., marketing director, 610-688-2535.