Claims procedure
Except for situations necessitating immediate representation by a private-practice criminal defense
attorney***, eligible ATPE members must contact the
ATPE Member Legal Services Department at (800) 777-ATPE (2873) between
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday for legal assistance with employment concerns. In some
cases, eligible members are referred to private-practice attorneys on the
list of firms approved by the insurance company.
Except for criminal defense, only fees from attorneys and law firms approved by National Union Fire Insurance Co. of
Pittsburgh, Pa., may be covered. If members retain attorneys in private practice, they
must comply with the claims procedure set forth by ATPE.*
 Learn what you can expect when you call.
When and how to contact the ATPE Member
Legal Services Department**
To access these benefits, you must be an eligible ATPE member at the time of the activity that leads to an action against you.
- Always contact the ATPE Member Legal Services Department
first when you have an employment-related
legal problem***. Use the hotline. Call (800) 777-ATPE (2873) and
save yourself long distance expenses. Alternately, use
the Member Legal Services Intake System (MLSIS), an
online system. Access
MLSIS.
- Identify your call immediately to the ATPE
receptionist by asking for the legal department.
- Be assured that your call is CONFIDENTIAL.
Legal services are provided for ATPE members only, hence
the need to verify name, current address and telephone
number. Learn what you can expect when you call.
- Start by stating your question or problem beginning
with the most recent event / occurrence.
- Have a copy of your contract or pertinent
documentation readily available for the attorney.
- Fax your material directly to the legal department
fax line at (512) 454-4543 prior to your call and
include a call-back time.
- If your time is limited during business hours, call
the state office and leave a message with the legal
receptionist for an attorney to contact you at a
convenient time. Your call will be returned promptly.
You may do the same if all the lines to the legal
department are occupied rather than hold indefinitely.
- Have a friend or relative call on your behalf and
request a call-back at your convenience.
- The legal department operates on weekdays with
inbound calls taken from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and call-backs
exclusively to members after hours.
*THE EDUCATORS PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE
POLICY IS UNDERWRITTEN BY NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE CO. OF PITTSBURGH, PA. ALL COVERAGE IS SUBJECT TO THE EXPRESS
TERMS OF THE MASTER INSURANCE POLICY ISSUED TO ATPE AND KEPT ON FILE AT THE ATPE STATE
OFFICE. Coverage applies to an insured’s activities within his/her professional capacity and does not apply to activities that predate the coverage period. Download a summary in PDF format. Eligibility for ATPE
membership benefits is contingent upon ATPE’s receipt of the entire annual membership dues amount for your appropriate membership
category. A disruption in payments to an authorized payment plan may result in discontinuation of such benefits, including
cancellation of insurance coverage for the entire membership year retroactive to Aug. 1 or your membership date. ATPE reserves the right to determine the appropriate membership category. The ATPE membership year is from Aug. 1 to July 31.
**The insured member services and staff
attorneys’ assistance are offered through separate programs.
***If
you need to consult an attorney on a criminal
matter and are not able to reach the state
office, please consult any attorney necessary and
contact the ATPE state office at (800) 777-ATPE (2873) or
through MLSIS at your earliest opportunity.
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