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Who can operate
University vehicles?
Only state employees
should operate University-owned vehicles, vehicles leased from Motor Fleet
Management or vehicles rented from private rental agencies for University use.
And these vehicles must be operated in the scope of University employment. For
purposes of vehicle assignment, a state employee is defined as "any individual
working for the state of North Carolina for wages or salary". This can include
part-time employees and visiting faculty paid by stipend.
Graduate or
professional students can also operate University vehicles under the following
two conditions:
They meet the
definition of "State Employee" as described above.
They are enrolled
in the University and their educational training requires the use of a
state-owned vehicle and whose use of the state-owned vehicle is supervised
and permitted by a University official.
Students and non-state
employees may be passengers in University vehicles provided they are attending
athletic events or other activities officially sanctioned by the University.
I had an
automobile accident while on University time. What do I need to do?
If you have an accident
while on University time in a University, rental or personal vehicle, please
complete an
Automobile Loss Notice
and promptly submit it to Risk Management Services. Include any supporting
documentation such as the police report, insurance exchange slips or witness
statements. We will instruct you on what to do from there.
If I have an
accident in my personal vehicle while on University time, whose insurance would
apply?
Employees are entitled
to a per mile allowance when operating their own vehicle for the University.
Included in this allowance is the insurance cost associated with driving one's
own vehicle. Therefore, if an accident occurs while a personal vehicle is being
used for official University business, the employee’s personal automobile
liability insurance is considered the primary coverage. In the event that the
employee’s liability insurance limits become exhausted, the University's
liability insurance would then apply on an excess basis up to their limits.
The University's
insurance will not pay for the physical damage to an employee's vehicle. It's
only liability coverage that is provided. The employee would have to have
collision or comprehensive insurance on their own vehicle to be afforded this
coverage. Of course, if the accident is the other party's fault, their liability
insurance should pay for any property damage or bodily injury you sustain.
If I rent a
vehicle for University business, should I purchase the collision or liability
insurance they always try to sell you?
You do not need to
purchase this insurance nor does the State allow reimbursement for this type of
expense (except for certain rental situations in foreign countries). Rather, the
University's automobile insurance provides liability, comprehensive and
collision coverage for commercial vehicles rented by employees for less than
thirty (30) days in conjunction with official University business.
My department
just bought a new University vehicle. How do I go about getting insurance on it?
Newly acquired
University-owned vehicles are automatically insured for liability coverage once
they are titled to the University. The custodial department does not have to
arrange for this insurance coverage. However, the vehicle is not automatically
insured for collision, comprehensive or medical payments coverage. Collision,
comprehensive and medical payments coverage is optional and must be specifically
requested by the custodial department. If requested, the department pays this
cost. Contact Risk Management Services if interested in this coverage.
Is my
University-owned desktop or laptop computer insured?
University-owned computers, peripherals and other business equipment are only insured for fire and lightning unless the custodial department specifically requests additional insurance. If additional insurance such as all-risk coverage is requested, the custodial department is responsible for the premium. All-risk insurance provides coverage for such losses as theft, accidental breakage, power surges and water damage while the rates are very reasonable. This coverage is available through the Carolina Self Insurance Fund.
Students' or employees'
personal computers are not eligible for this coverage, nor are they covered by
the University's insurance.
Is the University
going to defend me for liability claims arising out of an error or act I commit
in the scope of my employment?
The Defense of State Employees Act
(N.C.G.S. §143-291) of the North Carolina General Statutes provides coverage up
to $500,000 for injury or property damage to others caused by the negligent acts
of State employees acting in the scope of their employment. In order to provide
additional liability protection to employees, the University provides excess
liability insurance coverage at no charge to you. This excess liability coverage
covers claims or lawsuits filed anywhere in the world.
This policy is subject
to certain exclusions and conditions that may preclude coverage. For example,
exclusions include, but are not limited to criminal acts, intentional acts,
medical malpractice, sexual abuse claims, or claims arising out of the operation
of motor vehicles. Contact Risk Management Services for any additional
information.
Is any accident
insurance provided to faculty, staff or students traveling or studying abroad?
To protect our students
and faculty sustaining an accident or illness while studying or traveling
abroad, a comprehensive and inexpensive health & accident plan was
developed.
Originally, the plan
was developed for students studying abroad. However, it has been expanded to
include faculty, staff and recognized agents studying or traveling on behalf of
the University. Their spouses or dependants may also enroll.
This coverage is
mandatory for all students traveling abroad under the auspices of a University
curriculum unless very stringent requirements are met. While the plan is not
mandatory for faculty, staff or agents traveling on behalf of the University, it
is strongly encouraged. It is inexpensive (less than a $1 a day) and due to
territorial limitations with most personal medical plans, it may afford benefits
not otherwise covered. Contact Risk Management Services for additional
information.
Can departments
purchase insurance on their own without going through Risk Management Services?
NC General Statute §58-31-55 requires all insurance authorized for state agencies to be placed by the NC Department of Insurance. Therefore, it is improper for you to obtain insurance directly through private companies. Risk Management Services serves as the University’s point of contact for all coverage requests made to the Department of Insurance or our broker.
This process serves your interests in several ways. By purchasing as a single entity, the University benefits from economies of scale and has much greater bargaining power. And using our expertise, it assures that the proper insurance coverage is being purchased and that the premiums are paid in a timely fashion with no lapse in coverage. Finally, it relieves you of this administrative duty so you can focus on your specific educational missions.
What insurance
charges are passed on to my department?
We believe it's important that the University's "cost of risk" be allocated back to each campus department. By doing this, departments are more accountable and have a greater financial incentive to avoid losses.
The extent to which
these costs are charged back depends largely on the funding status of your
department. If you operate primarily from general funds provided by the State,
many of these costs are borne by the University. Most academic units fall into
this category. If you operate primarily from your own receipts such as our
auxiliary units, then most of these costs are passed on to you. Any department,
regardless of their funding status, that purchases optional insurance specific
to their operation, will be charged for that coverage.
What do I need to do when our department
will have a special event off campus and the host wants us to verify our
liability insurance coverage?
It's fairly common for the University to verify
our liability coverage when conducting events on private property. In most
situations, the necessary insurance coverage is already in place and it's just a
matter of providing the property owner or host with a Letter of Sovereign
Immunity or Certificate of Insurance. All requests for Letters of Sovereign
Immunity or Certificates of Insurance can be made to Risk Management Services.
What insurance
coverage is provided for my department's contents and the buildings that we
occupy?
It is our intent to
only insure University property for the larger, more catastrophic losses, rather
than our smaller day-to-day losses. We accomplish this by insuring our property
with very large deductibles while absorbing the costs for our small losses. With
the significant values of our properties, the University's insurance premiums
would be astronomical to insure against every type of loss. This simply is not
economical.
In most situations,
your buildings and contents are only insured against fire & lightning. Other
types of catastrophic losses are insured, but the deductible is much higher -
ranging up to $2,500,000 per occurrence.
You do have the option
of "buying down" these large deductibles or insuring only specific items if your
department is financially responsible for your property. However, you will be
responsible for the insurance premium. Contact Risk Management Services for the
cost-effectiveness of any optional insurance purchase.
My department is
susceptible to theft and vandalism losses. What can we do to prevent or insure
against these?
Theft and vandalism are
the most frequent types of losses occurring to campus property. And most of
these losses have no insurance coverage because of our high deductibles.
It is our experience that the majority of thefts and vandalism are "crimes of opportunity" that are easily preventable by using good judgment. Departments should focus on loss control measures rather than insurance when addressing this problem. However, insurance coverage is available for theft and vandalism. Departments can purchase all-risk insurance for just specific contents. Contact Risk Management Services for additional information.
My department has changed or acquired a new
location on campus. Will our property insurance automatically transfer to this
new location?
It's a good idea to contact Risk Management
Services about any location changes. Most of our property is covered by a
self-insurance fund and the NC Department of Insurance usually needs to be
notified of new insured locations.
Are my department's fine arts or historic
collections insured?
The University purchases a specific insurance
policy for our fine arts. Fine arts are defined by the insurance policy as
"paintings, etchings, drawings, rare books, manuscripts, rugs, tapestries,
statuary and other bonafide works of art, or rarity, historic value, or artistic
merit". This would also include entire historic collections. The
insurance policy also extends coverage to on-loan fine arts or fine arts while
in transit.
