Dakota County's Commercial Auto Insurance Up 3.1 Percent

According to a report in the Hastings Star Gazette, the commercial auto insurance on Dakota County's 319 vehicles in the sheriff, parks, and transportation departments as been renewed.

The report says the Dakota County Commissioners renewed the current auto coverage with Travelers Insurance for an annual premium of $174,328—a nearly $5,300 or 3.1 percent increase over the current premium.

The Hastings Star Gazette reported the policy goes from July 1, 2011 through July 1, 2012 and includes a liability coverage limit per claim of $500,000 and a per-accident limit of $1,500,000, both of which are consistent with the county’s liability limits under Minnesota law.

According to the report, Dakota County has had fewer insurance-related losses in the past year. Year to date, the county incurred losses of $45,465 as compared to $75,901 last year and $184,519 for losses in policy year 2008-09, according to the report.

According to the report, those poor years of losses have resulted in negative pricing on the current coverage, though the county has taken several actions during the past year including sending 53 plow operators to complete a customized defensive driving training course at Dakota County Technical College.