Professional Liability Insurance
HRA Employee Resources Hub
Section 642 of Public Law 106-58 requires Federal agencies reimburse law enforcement officers, supervisors, and managers for up to one-half of the cost (not to exceed $250 per calendar year) of professional liability insurance, protecting them from potential liability and attorney’s fees for actions arising out of the conduct of official duties. Reimbursements at the increased amount will be effective for claims submitted December 9, 2025 and thereafter. This increase is not retroactive. Any claims that were settled prior to that date will not receive an adjustment to the higher amount. If an application was in process and not yet settled prior to that date, the additional amount can be requested.
Professional liability insurance provides coverage for legal liability for damages due to injuries to others, or damage or loss to their property, including the expenses of litigation and settlement resulting from or arising out of any such incident while in the performance of a qualified employees official duties. Also included is the cost of legal representation and other legal costs and fees for the covered individual in connection with any administrative, judicial proceeding, investigation, or disciplinary proceeding of the covered individual while in the performance of such individual’s official duties as a qualified employee.
Reimbursement Process (For eligible employees)
The process will start with VA Webform 10091
Employees will need to access VA Webform 10091 through the FSC Customer Self Service Portal. Site location: https://vaww.cpm.fsc.va.gov/ (access to the VA network required)
The VA Webform 10091 is submitted to the FSC
Once the employee completes the 10091, the form will be submitted to the vendorizing section of the Financial Service Center (FSC). For questions or assistance, VA employees can contact the Station Support Helpdesk (FSC) 866-372-1141 Option 4.
Employee completes an SF 1034
The employee will then need to complete a Standard Form 1034 (Public Voucher for Purchases and Services Other than Personal). A sample form is below to assist with completing the form.
Employee obtains supervisor approval/certification
The employee will need to provide the completed Standard Form 1034, a copy of the insurance premium notice or proof of payment (such as a copy of the cancelled check or receipt), to their supervisor for approval and certification.
Supervisor forwards to the local budget office
The supervisor will then forward the documents to the local budget office for processing.
Employee's budget office submits to the system
The employee’s budget office will submit the documents to the applicable system:
- 1358 request through IFCAP and upload the Standard Form 1034 to the Invoice Payment Processing System (IPPS).
- a PBE transaction request through iFAMS and upload the SF1034 and receipts as justification payment attachments.
*VBA Employees follow guidance located on the VBA Business Management Office SharePoint site. Site location: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/vbahumancapitalservices/BusManagement/SitePages/Division-Home.aspx (access to the VA network required)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the term professional liability insurance?
Professional liability insurance provides “coverage for (A) legal liability for damages due to injuries to other persons, damage to their property, or other damage or loss to such other persons (including the expenses of litigation and settlement) resulting from or arising out of any tortuous act, error, or omission of the covered individual (whether common law, statutory or constitutional) while in the performance of such individual’s official duties as a qualified employee; and (B) the cost of legal representation for the covered individual in connection with any administrative or judicial proceeding (including any investigation or disciplinary proceeding) relating to any act, error, or omission of the covered individual while in the performance of such individual’s official duties as a qualified employee, and other legal costs and fees relating to any such administrative or judicial proceeding.” (Public Law 104-208)
2. Which employees are eligible for reimbursement?
Supervisors, Management Officials, and Law Enforcement Officers are eligible for reimbursement.
3. Who is a Supervisor?
“Supervisor” is defined as “an individual employed by an agency having authority in the interest of the agency to hire, direct, assign, promote, reward, transfer, furlough, layoff, recall, suspend, discipline, or remove employees, to adjust their grievances, or to effectively recommend such action, if the exercise of the authority is not merely routine or clerical in nature but requires the consistent exercise of independent judgment, except that, with respect to any unit which includes firefighters or nurses, the term “supervisor” includes only those individuals who devote a preponderance of their employment time to exercising such authority.” (5 U.S.C. 7103.10)
4. Who is a Management Official?
“Management Official” means, “an individual employed by an agency in a position the duties and responsibilities of which require or authorize the individual to formulate, determine, or influence the policies of the agency.” (5 U.S.C. 7103.11)
5. Who is a Law Enforcement Officer (LEO)?
“Law Enforcement Officer” means “an employee, the duties of whose position are primarily the investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States, including an employee engaged in this activity who is transferred to a supervisory or administrative position.” (5 U.S.C. 8331.20)
6. What is the maximum amount of reimbursement?
VA has authorized the reimbursement up to one-half the cost (to include premiums, fees, and taxes) incurred by qualified individuals not to exceed $250.00 per calendar year.
7. What is the responsibility of the local Finance office?
The responsibility of the local Finance office is to make reimbursement determinations and process the approved Standard Form (SF) 1034, Public Voucher for Purchases and Services Other than Personal. The local Finance office will process payments through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). The Finance office requires employees to establish a vendor identification code for travel or miscellaneous reimbursements.
8. How long does it take to receive payment?
Reimbursements are processed by the local Finance office through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) within 2-3 business days after receipt of the completed and approved Standard Form 1034, Public Voucher for Purchases and Services Other than Personal.
9. Which insurance company does VA recommend for enrollment in PLI?
VA does not provide a list of nor endorse any insurance company. This program merely provides for the reimbursement to eligible employees of one-half the annual premium (not to exceed $250 annually). Employees must obtain their own PLI policy.
