Minnesota "no-fault" state law requires owners to secure liability insurance on their vehicles. Accordingly, the University has insurance, written through the University's wholly-owned subsidiary captive insurance company, RUMINCO LTD., for each vehicle it owns, to protect itself against liability claims occurring in the United States of America, its territories and possessions, and Canada. If there is intent to use a University-owned vehicle outside the coverage area, contact the Risk Management and Insurance office at (612) 625-0062 well in advance. Liability insurance also applies to employees and sponsored drivers using the vehicle with the permission of a University responsible authority on official University business. Sponsored drivers include students at least 19 years of age, visiting faculty, or staff under the supervision or direction of a University responsible authority.
Faculty, staff, and student employees who use their own vehicles on University business should be aware that the owner's liability insurance, not the University's will be the primary insurance if an accident occurs. The University does not provide physical damage insurance (comprehensive or collision) on vehicles it does not own. As required by Minnesota State Law, all University-owned vehicle drivers must have a valid State or Canadian Provincial driver's license. In most cases, only a Class D driver's license is needed. However, if a vehicle is a large truck or is designed to carry more than fifteen (15) passengers, a Class A or B license is required.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and insurance protection against uninsured motorists are provided by the University through RUMINCO LTD, in accordance with the Minnesota "no-fault" law. In the event of an accident in which neither the motorist nor passenger has a personal auto insurance policy, PIP will pay a maximum of $20,000 in medical benefits and a maximum of $20,000 in other benefits (e.g., wage loss) per occupant of the insured vehicle. These University PIP payments are meant to supplement Worker's Compensation insurance and the individual occupants, personal auto liability insurance PIP benefits.
Full coverage, including liability, Personal Injury Protection (with uninsured motorists protection), and across-the-board physical damage coverage is mandatory for all University-owned vehicles. All insurance record changes, whether they relate to purchases, disposals, or budget number changes of vehicles, must be initiated through Vehicle Fleet Services ((612) 625-3033). While trailers normally need not be insured for liability or Personal Injury Protection, because this coverage extends to the trailer from the towing vehicle, it is recommended that trailers with values greater than $5,000 be insured for physical damage. Arrangements for this and other vehicle insurance must be made with Vehicle Fleet Services ((612) 625-3033). There is a $1,000 deductible per physical damage claim.
The following reporting procedures relate to accidents involving authorized drivers operating University motor vehicles in the course of their employment. For the purpose of this procedure, authorized drivers are limited to employees of the University and sponsored drivers on official University business. Drivers must be at least 19 years of age, whether a University employee or not. Visiting faculty or staff under the supervision or direction of a University Responsible Authority (or department head when applicable) is to be considered sponsored drivers.
Although Minnesota state law (169.02) requires that the police be notified only when a driver is involved in an accident resulting in bodily injury to or death, drivers of University vehicles are required to notify the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction in the location where the accident occurred whenever they are involved in an accident involving damage to a motor vehicle (including the University vehicle), damage to property, bodily injury, or death.
Reporting the accident to law enforcement generally means that a police officer will respond to the scene and ensure that all the necessary information is exchanged and that the drivers of the involved vehicles are properly licensed and insured. In addition to filing a police report, the responding police officer may also prepare a report that further documents the circumstances of the accident and the information of the involved drivers and their vehicles. Having the necessary information will assist the University in obtaining compensation for any loss.
Accidents which occur on or in close proximity (within two miles of campus) to the Twin Cities campus should be reported to the University of Minnesota Police Department by calling 612-624-COPS (2677). If someone is injured the driver is required to first call 911 and the appropriate police and medical personnel will be dispatched. If there are no injuries and the accident occurred a distance away from campus (more than 2 miles) the driver is required to call 911 and the appropriate law enforcement agency will be dispatched.
All personnel who drive University-owned vehicles must comply with the requirements of the "Vehicle Loss Control Program for University of Minnesota", revised January 2006, available from Fleet Services at (612) 625-8020.
When it is necessary to rent (less than three months) or lease (three months or more) a vehicle from outside the University, the employee or department contracting for the vehicle must first verify insurance protection on the vehicle from the vendor. Insurance coverage will not be provided by the University insurance policy. The verification must be in the form of a certificate of insurance from the rental or leasing firm. This certificate should state that the insurance on the rented or leased vehicle conforms with Minnesota "no fault" state law. On leased vehicles, the certificate of insurance should name the Regents of the University as an additional named insured to that firm's insurance policy. The University further requires the leasing or rental firm to provide a minimum limit on amount of liability insurance coverage. These limits of liability must be stated on the certificate of insurance:
The certificate of insurance should be sent by the department to Vehicle Fleet Services, 115 Holman Building, with background information on the rental or lease agreement.
The University's catastrophe property insurance policy provides coverage for all University-owned property except for licensed motor vehicles and aircraft, which are separately insured subject to policy limits. Although the policy covers property for "all risks" of direct physical loss or damage, it automatically excludes certain types of property and specific perils such as mysterious disappearance and unexplained loss or inventory shortage. This program is intended to provide protection against catastrophic losses for which funds to replace the property might not be readily available. There is a $10,000 deductible each occurrence (property damage), $10,000 deductible each occurrence (theft), which is the sole responsibility of the department(s) sustaining the loss. This centralized approach to insuring University-owned property prohibits departments from using University funds to purchase insurance on University property in their care, custody, or control.
If the damaged or lost property is to be replaced, the insurance policy pays the cost of replacing the property at the time of the loss. If the property is not replaced, the University collect is actual cash value (current replacement cost less depreciation).
Questions about property insurance should be directed to Risk Management & Insurance ((612) 625-0062). Potential insurance claims must be reported promptly when the loss occurs.
Departmental authorization must be obtained before any University property is taken off campus (See the Property policy).
Before taking or sending University property valued at more than $50,000 off campus, the employee responsible for the property must notify Risk Management & Insurance ((612) 625-0062) at least one week in advance.
The University has separate insurance for fine arts on exhibit or in transit. (Fine arts in storage are covered under the catastrophe property insurance program.) The $1000-per-occurrence deductible under this policy is the sole responsibility of the department sustaining the loss.
Arrangements for this insurance must be made in advance with Risk Management & Insurance. It is available to University departments for University-sponsored exhibits. Departments requesting this insurance must provide valid information on security arrangements for the property; insurance will not be provided when theft or other risks are likely.
This insurance is often referred to as fidelity bonding. Under the University's policy, the insurance covers the loss of money, securities, and other property through the fraudulent or dishonest acts of an employee. The employee may or may not be salaried.
There is $100,000 deductible per claim, and limits are placed on amounts of recovery obtainable.
The loss of money and securities is insured when due to destruction, disappearance, or theft within University premises, banks, or other recognized places of safe deposit. Outside these areas, the money and securities are insured for robbery while in the custody of a messenger or an armored car company.
Lost or stolen checks are reimbursable under the same circumstances, but only if the University has a full description of them (maker, payee, drawee bank, date, and amount).
Property other than money and securities is also covered when lost through the burglary of locked safes and vaults or through robbery. Locked cash boxes, cash drawers, and cash registers are insured when they are broken into or carried off. These crimes must occur within University premises for the insurance to apply.
There is $100,000 deductible per claim, and limits are placed on amounts of recovery obtainable.
Further insurance coverage exists for postal or express company money orders that "bounce," counterfeit money when unknowingly accepted, and fraud or forgery involving University checks or drafts.
Financial loss due to forged or altered checks received in payment for good or services is also covered, provided the check is not intended to pay for property previously sold and delivered on credit.
There is a $100,000 deductible per claim, limits are placed on amounts of recovery obtainable.
Coverage is provided for loss of money, securities and other property resulting from the theft of any insured property by computer fraud, or the theft of funds from the transfer account at a financial institution through fraudulent transfer instructions communicated to such financial institution.
Potential "bond" claims must be reported to Risk Management & Insurance ((612) 625-0062). If you think a crime has occurred, you must notify the policy and the Department of Audits promptly so that evidence may be documented. This documentation, as well as the keeping of proper financial records before a loss happens, is an integral part of the insurance claim.
There is a $100,000 deductible per claim with limits placed on amounts of recovery obtainable.
Since August 1, 1976, the University of Minnesota has carried insurance to cover general as well as professional liability claims. This insurance, which includes coverage for employees, students of the health professions, student teachers, and volunteers while they are acting within the scope of their duties, is provided through RUMINCO LTD., a captive insurance company wholly owned by the Regents of the University of Minnesota. Essentially this means that all liability claims and related expenses are provided for with University funds.
The Department of Environmental Health and Safety (DEHS) should be contacted whenever a personal injury potential appears to exist. They can help your department develop effective control and educational programs to improve facility design and personal practices. It is imperative that all members of the University community be aware of the need to comply with safety recommendations given by the University of Minnesota Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
Since the University must investigate all claims immediately, timely reporting of injuries or incidents which may lead to claims is extremely important. You must report any such incident as follows:
If an employee is injured, employee must complete an Incident Report immediately and send to the University's Workers' Compensation Office, fax: (612) 624-6070, mail: 1300 South Second St. Suite 633, Minneapolis, MN 55454. If there are questions concerning incident and claim reporting, contact Risk Management & Insurance Department at (612) 625-0062.
The University of Minnesota provides through RUMINCO LTD., a Directors' and Officers' liability insurance policy. Questions about coverage can be directed to the Risk Management Department at (612) 625-0062.
Travel by employees who are Certified Pilots, either via their personal aircraft or a rented/leased aircraft, is no longer allowed. Employees engaged in this type of travel will NOT be provided coverage by the Worldwide Travel Accident Policy and will NOT be reimbursed for the ensuing expenses.
Travelers should not be transported using a private plane or non-approved air charter unless an exception is given by the Office of Risk Management.
The University requires charter carriers, such as charter airlines, helicopters, buses and boats to demonstrate a specified level of insurance coverage when they are providing services to the University. Using charter companies that have negotiated University contracts will ensure that proper insurance coverage is provided. Coordinate campuses and out-of-state charter contracts must meet the following criteria and be "pre-approved" by the Risk Management Office at (612) 625-0062.
Some University employees are exposed to unusual risks on their travels, and for this reason are insured under a separate policy.
These employees are usually members of scientific expeditions. The chance of accidents are greatly increased because of the methods they must employ to conduct their research.
Extra-hazardous travel insurance is not automatic. Arrangements for this insurance must be made through the office of Risk Management & Insurance.