United Pool Association (UPA) stands as a grassroots organization founded on the core principle that each member is a distinct business entity with the expertise to manage their operations effectively. Together, it has united to enhance their knowledge base and secure highquality liability insurance through American Southern. What began as a humble grassroots effort has blossomed into a thriving community boasting more than 1,800 members.
'Freedom at the Chapter Level… Simplicity at the Board Level' encapsulates their ethos. Chapters operate autonomously, tailoring meetings to best serve their members, while remaining accountable to the organization's mandate of convening at least nine times annually. The UPA Joint Board convenes quarterly, covering its own expenses.
For service professionals seeking an association offering exceptional insurance coverage with minimal obligations, UPA presents an ideal choice.
According to Steve Homer, UPA's president, the association's primary aim is member service. 'We constantly seek avenues to add value for our members — that's how we thrive. We refrain from levying fees on our members; instead, we sustain ourselves through various means, including vendor support and insurance rebates,' Homer said.
Homer underlines UPA's standout feature: insurance. The comprehensive coverage, boasting substantial liability limits, minimal exclusions, and a stellar relationship with insurer American Southern, is available at a remarkable rate of $59 per month per member, and $35 per employee.
The Commercial General Liability Coverage offers extensive protection, including a $1 million occurrence limit, a $2 million annual policy aggregate, and specialized sub-limits for on-site pollution cleanup and 'acid washing' claims. It even covers claims relating to the maintenance of fish ponds, which is rare and can be quite expensive. However, it excludes coverage for work on diving boards or swimming pool slides.
For Homer, UPA's allure extends beyond insurance. He emphasizes the freedom members enjoy: 'Chapters have the autonomy to shape their operations. Dissatisfied members can initiate change through meetings, elections, or even branch off to form new chapters. There's no obligation to remain where you're discontented.'
Moreover, UPA caters to those unable to attend meetings or residing in areas lacking chapters through its virtual chapter, boasting more than 100 members across all 50 states. Recently, they've launched a contractor's license program in California, offering members a costeffective means to obtain licensure with an impressive 97% pass rate.
For further details on UPA's member perks and insurance coverage, visit www.unitedpoolassociation.org or contact UPA directly at 714-2745566.
