Alternative Insurance Coverage

Alternative Insurance Coverage By January 1, 2024, the state, municipality, county or fire protection district is required to provide proof of insurance coverage that meets the requirements of the Act, or shall show satisfactory proof of the ability to pay such compensation to ensure adequate coverage for all eligible first responders to the Commissioner of Insurance. In an effort to assist the state, municipalities, counties and fire protection districts with funding these benefits, the Mississippi First Responders Health and Safety Trust Fund (“Fund”) was created by the Legislature in order to assist these entities with providing the benefits required under the Act, with the Commissioner of Insurance administering this Fund. However, while the state, municipalities, counties and fire protections districts may access these funds, they are not required to do so and may choose to provide funding for these benefits by using an alternative method. Instead of using the Funds as administered by the Commissioner of Insurance, the state or any municipality, county or fire protection district may provide alternative methods to provide coverage that meets the requirements of the Act. If the state or any municipality, county or fire protection district decides to use another method to provide the required benefits, they must submit the form attached hereto as Exhibit “B” to the Commissioner of Insurance by January 1, 2024, and by January 1st of each year thereafter, of their continued intention to use an alternative method.