Spotlight on the Diplomatic Security Service

For federal law enforcement officers, carrying and using a firearm is often the most significant part of the job.  With the authority to carry a firearm comes the heavy responsibility of using it properly, as well as significantly increased exposure to civil, administrative, and criminal actions related to discharge of the weapon.  For members of agencies or divisions such as the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), it is critical to carry professional liability insurance (PLI) that will protect against the exposures that come with carrying a firearm.

FEDS Protection has long been the preferred PLI provider for DSS agents for two primary reasons:  (1) the FEDS policy does not contain an exclusion that prevents coverage for job-related firearm use; and (2) FEDS provides worldwide coverage with every policy at no additional cost.  DSS special agents work worldwide to protect U.S. diplomatic personnel abroad.  Stateside, DSS agents implement security and protection for foreign dignitaries who are visiting the United States.  DSS agents also investigate passport and visa fraud, which frequently is part of larger investigations into human trafficking.  In the course of performing these duties DSS agents must be prepared to use their firearms.  FEDS Protection does not exclude firearms coverage from its policy, and will stand behind DSS agents who face increased exposures due to carrying firearms.

Given the vast scope of DSS responsibilities and its worldwide presence, DSS agents have unique considerations and exposures related to their jobs.  To protect against these exposures, DSS agents should weigh which professional liability insurance is best suited to address their distinctive coverage aspects.  Because of the worldwide nature of many DSS agents’ work, worldwide coverage from a PLI provider is a necessity.  FEDS Protection offers worldwide coverage with every policy, and protects against civil, administrative, and criminal actions.  It is particularly important for employees to compare PLI providers to ensure that coverage is available for OIG investigations.  The FEDS policy provides legal representation at this level because representation is imperative in the early investigative stages.

Recently, we have learned that Hirshorn, a provider of professional liability insurance (PLI) focused on State Department employees, has chosen to discontinue its program.  For further details, see FEDS Protection’s press release on the topic here.  

For State Department employees who are switching PLI providers, including from Hirshorn, it is critical to ensure continuous coverage.  FEDS Protection will honor your original Hirshorn retroactive date to ensure uninterrupted coverage for acts, errors and omissions that may have occurred prior to purchasing the insurance with FEDS Protection.

Overall, DSS agents must choose wisely when protecting their careers and livelihoods.  FEDS Protection has experience with the unique exposures DSS agents face, and will honor the original retroactive date for anyone switching to FEDS from a former provider.  Contact us at 866.955.FEDS or on our website with any questions.