damage to a limit of $500,000 per claim, and

damage to a limit of $500,000 per claim, and a one million dollar public officials' liability policy. Two years ago, he recalled, the board rejected his recommendation for a $5 million umbrella policy. “You never know how much liability is enough until after something happens," Bowen said on Monday.

Another area where the county is not insured is workmen's compensation, he continued, describing the county's policy of paying claims itself as basically selfinsurance. With this approach, the supervisors are responsible for 100 percent of all medical bills if a county employee, including the sheriff and deputies, is hurt on the job, Bowen said.

If the board took out a policy for workmen's compensation claims, coverage would include 100 percent of medical bills with no deductible, loss of income payments equal to two-thirds of gross salary and rehabilitation benefits to provide retraining if the injured person can’t resume his or her normal position, according to Eastham. In response to a question from supervisor Pete Estes, Bowen confirmed that workmen's compensation coverage would relieve the county of all liability in the event of an on-the-job injury. “You have to comply with the state's workmen’s compensation law no matter what." the Carr and Hyde agent emphasized. “Insurance takes the place of vou meeting that burden of liability," he said, adding that workmen's compensation premiums are based on payroll.