Louis R. Guizzetti, Executive Director

Quality service, partnerships and long-term relationships distinguish SET SEG in the marketplace

Our organization recently adopted a new mission statement that really spells out what SET SEG represents and values:

"SET SEG is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop and deliver superior and personalized insurance services and programs to school districts in Michigan.  SET SEG is the expert at assessing, understanding and fulfilling the insurance needs of Michigan public schools. We unite school districts through our property/casualty and workers' compensation risk-sharing programs that protect members from financial and physical losses. We safeguard the health and well-being of Michigan school employees by providing innovative and cost-effective employee benefit programs. The actions of SET SEG and its employees are grounded in the principles of honesty, integrity, consistency and equitability with the objective of building and maintaining long-term relationships."

SET SEG has been the leader in providing insurance services to schools since it was formed in 1971. We began by offering competitive health care plans for school employees. Today, SET Employee Benefits provides a full range of employee benefits designed to provide first-rate coverage to employees while helping schools save money. We also provide employee benefit consulting services to public schools, and have prepared and analyzed more than 100 Request for Proposals for benefit plans on behalf of schools--all without exacting a fee for those services. 

In 1977, upon the passage of enabling legislation, we launched the SEG Self-Insurer Workers' Compensation Fund and provided this mandated protection to school employees at a time when commercial carriers withdrew from the educational marketplace. Building upon the success of the Workers' Compensation Fund, we created the MASB-SEG Property/Casualty Pool in 1986. Our property, liability, errors and omissions, fleet, excess and equipment breakdown protections are the gold standard for schools in Michigan. We are proud that scores of our original members in both the Fund and the Pool remain members to this day. This is a testament to the fact that our coverage is great, our service is exceptional and our focus is on helping members in their time of need.  

We truly partner with our member districts, providing educational seminars and personal loss control services to protect school personnel and schoolchildren. We recognize that our members are the shareholders in the Pool and Fund. In fact, we regularly return accumulated assets to districts that participate in our programs.

• The SEG Self-Insurer Workers’ Compensation Fund has distributed $183 million to schools that participate in our workers’ compensation program--including $7 million to be returned after July 1, 2009. This return has taken the form of surplus, dividends and premium reductions.
•  Members of the MASB-SEG Property/Casualty Pool have shared $95 million in surplus and dividends since the Pool’s inception in 1986. Of that amount, $5 million is being distributed to members after July 1, 2009.

SET SEG values the relationship we have built with Michigan school districts over the years. We express that appreciation in many ways, including recognizing educators and educational programs that are making a difference for children. Being the sole sponsor of the MASB Education Excellence Awards is one way we express our gratitude to public schools. Each year, this two-phase program honors approximately 30 schools that have implemented original educational programs that significantly enhance student achievement. From the initial group of winners, nine programs are selected as “Michigan’s Best” in their category. These exemplary programs are recognized at the fall conference of the Michigan Association of School Boards. SET SEG gives each Michigan’s Best winner a check for $1,500 to help perpetuate and enhance its winning program. We have supported this worthwhile program with approximately $280,000 in sponsorship funds since 2001.

We also say thank you to Michigan schools through the work of the SET SEG Educational Foundation. Our Foundation was formed in 2005 and has provided a total of $16,150 in scholarship funds to high schools in Michigan, regardless of their affiliation with our businesses. The schools use the scholarship money to send students to the Michigan Association Student Councils/Michigan Association of Honor Societies Summer Leadership Camp. This year, the SET SEG Educational Foundation awarded each Education Excellence-winning district $150 to help perpetuate the notable program. 

SET SEG and school districts need one another. Our success hinges completely on the success of public education in this great state. And the success of public education relies heavily upon having happy, healthy and learned teachers, administrators and support staff interacting with school children in a safe and nurturing environment. We partner with schools to help them provide just that.

Share your thoughts with me at info@setseg.org.

 --Louis R. Guizzetti, Executive Director