University Treasurer's Office

University of Massachusetts > Treasurer's Office > Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL

What is a Certificate of Insurance and how do I get one?

A Certificate of Insurance shows evidence of the University of Massachusetts insurance coverage. This may be requested by clicking on the following link. http://www.massachusetts.edu/treasurer/certofinsurancerequestform.cfm
If you have any questions, contact the Treasurer's Office at 774-455-7588.

Where can I get information about Worker's Compensation?

The University of Massachusetts, as an entity of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is
self-insured for Worker's Compensation in accordance with Chapter 152 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
For more information please contact Human Resources on your campus.

What do we need if we are hosting a group on campus?

The Treasurer's Office suggest obtaining a Certificate of Insurance from the group's general liability insurance carrier to evidence that they have insurance coverage. The University should ask to be named as an "additional insured" on the policy for purposes of the event.

Are building contents covered under any insurance?

If this is UMass property, in general it would not be covered under insurance as we are, prohibited by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 29 section 30 from insuring property. Some specific leased property is required to have insurance. If you have any questions please contact the Treasurer's Office at 774-455-7588.

There is indemnification and/or hold harmless language in my contract. Can the University agree to this?

No. Article 1 section 62 of the Amendments of the Massachusetts Constitution prohibits the University, as an entity of the Commonwealth, from indemnifying and/or hold harmless a third party. You should strike this language before executing the contract.

AUTO

What do I do if I am involved in an automobile accident using a state vehicle?

Contact the campus police or town police where the accident occurs. Complete the Auto Loss Notice that is in the vehicle or print one from the Treasurer's Office website. The loss notice can be found by clicking on the link titled Owned Vehicle Auto Loss Form. http://www.massachusetts.edu/treasurer/ownedauto.html
Both the police report and the completed Automobile Auto Loss Notice form should be submitted, as soon as possible, to the Treasurer's Office, 333 South Street, Suite 450, Shrewsbury MA 01545. The loss notices can also be emailed to Matt Wamback at mwamback@umassp.edu or faxed to 774-455-7592.

Our office's State owned vehicle was involved in an accident and was damaged. Is it covered by insurance?

No. The University is self-insured for damages and injuries caused to third parties and to damages done to the University State owned vehicle. It is up to the department to get their own vehicle fixed. However, an auto loss form should still be filled out and sent to the Treasurer's office. Additionally, if the other driver was at fault, a claim for repairs and/or injury should be made against the other driver's insurance company. Contact the Treasurer's Office who will handle/coordinate this claim.

What do I do if I am involved in an accident while driving a University Leased Vehicle?

The University has insurance in place for all leased vehicles. The accident MUST be reported to the University Treasurer's Office as soon as possible. The Treasurer's Office will then contact Hartford Insurance, auto liability insurer, and provide information regarding the loss. Hartford Insurance will then contact the appropriate department and driver to get a statement. Hartford Insurance will advise the department where to bring the vehicle to get an appraisal.

If the University driver is at fault for the accident, Hartford Insurance will send a check, less the $500 deductible. The department will be responsible for a $500 deductible payment. If the University driver is not at fault, Hartford Insurance will send a check for the full amount of the appraisal. Once a check is received the department is responsible for having the vehicle repaired.

If I am involved in an automobile accident while using my own vehicle for business purposes, am I covered by the University policy?

If you are using your own vehicle while on University business, your own insurance policy would be primary. The University's hired/non-owned policy would be secondary and cover liability only, damages or injuries to a third party.

Is a University student participating in a University sponsored event/program/group allowed to rent a vehicle?

If a University student, participating in a University sponsored event/program/group, needs to rent a vehicle specific to or for a University sponsored purpose, regardless of how they rent a vehicle, that student should rent a vehicle in the name of the University (i.e. UMASS Hiking club) and name the student as the driver. The University sponsored student group/program/event MUST also purchase the extra insurance provided by the rental agency (both liability and collision).

If I am renting a vehicle for University business purposes, should I pay for, or deny, the extra insurance that if offered?

The below guidelines are only applicable to University Employees.
When a University employee is renting a vehicle for University business, the employee needs to INCLUDE the "University of Massachusetts" next to their own name on the rental application. This will help to ensure that the University's Hired and Non-owned Excess Liability policy, which is described below, will provide excess liability coverage, if warranted.

Liability Insurance - The University has a Hired and Non-owned Liability Insurance policy for vehicles rented for University business. The University's policy is only an excess policy. This policy has a $1,000,000 combined single limit for bodily injury and/or property damage to others. It is a good idea for the employee to have a copy of the Certificate of Insurance with him/her when renting a vehicle as it maybe required. A copy of the Certificate of Insurance evidencing this coverage can be obtained from the University Treasurer's Office.

When renting a car for University business, the employee should:

• Decline the Liability Insurance offered by the rental company, if the employee is renting the vehicle in Massachusetts and will only be driving the vehicle in the State of Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, rental companies are required by State Law to carry the minimum liability coverage on their rental vehicles (the rental company's liability insurance serves as the primary liability insurance), so purchasing the additional Liability Insurance from the rental company is not necessary due to the University's existing excess policy.

• Purchase the Liability Insurance offered by the rental company, if the employee is renting a vehicle outside of the State of Massachusetts or for use outside of Massachusetts.

• Physical Damage - The rental vehicle also needs to be covered by Physical Damage Insurance (Collision and Comprehensive).

When renting a car for University business, the employee should:

• Decline the Physical Damage Insurance offered by the rental company, if the employee is using a University issued business credit card to rent the vehicle and that credit card provides primary coverage for physical damage. Please note that it is important for the employee to carefully review the terms of their University credit card to make sure that it does provide primary Physical Damage Insurance when renting a vehicle. The employee will also want to make sure that the type of vehicle he/she is renting is not excluded from the coverage provided by the credit card.

• Purchase the Physical Damage Insurance offered by the rental company, if the employee is using a personal credit card, or any other means of payment, that does not provide primary Physical Damage Insurance coverage.

If in doubt as to whether or not the employee's University issued business credit card provides primary physical damage coverage, it is a good idea to purchase the coverage from the rental company. The Physical Damage Insurance coverage offered by the rental company is a good protection at usually a low daily rate. Please contact the University Treasurer's Office if you have any questions regarding a rental or credit card contract.

I am injured in an accident while driving a state vehicle. Am I covered in any way?

If you are hit by another vehicle, you may be able to make a claim against the other driver's insurance company. You should also check Human Resources on your campus regarding a worker's compensation claim.

Can students drive University of Massachusetts vehicles?

Student employees must be eligible to be employed and must be on the payroll at the time they are assigned the duties of driving the state-owned or leased vehicle in order to be covered under the University's liability provisions. Only employees of the University should be driving University vehicles.

My car was hit by a bus on the Amherst Campus. What should I do?

If damage was caused by a University of Massachusetts transit bus, you would contact the Treasurer's Office. The vehicle would have a state plate. If this were a PVTA bus, you would contact Pioneer Valley Transit Authority in Springfield. This would have a PVTA plate.

Am I allowed to rent a 15 passenger van?

Since 2001, the National Transportation Safety Board has issued several reports and warnings about the rollover propensity of 15-passenger vans. The Treasurer's Office does not recommend the use of 15 passenger vans. If you MUST rent a 15 passenger van, you NEED to purchase the collision damaged waiver and excess liability insurance offered by the rental company. Please contact the Treasurer's Office for additional information.

GENERAL LIABILITY

What if someone is injured on our premises?

Ask the person if he/she needs assistance. Contact the University police. Fill out the General Liability Accident Form. You can obtain this form by clicking on the following link http://www.massachusetts.edu/treasurer/insuranceclaims.html. You should never make a statement regarding liability or payment of bills.

If I am injured while performing some of my duties as an employee of the University, am I covered by a University insurance policy?

The University does not have an "accident" policy. Our General Liability Policy covers injury and property damage we may cause to others. An employee who is injured should contact their campus Human Resource Office regarding worker's compensation.

Who and what does general liability insurance cover?

University employees, students, faculty, volunteers are covered under the University's general liability policy. In general, this covers bodily injury and property damage that we may cause to others due to negligence.

Will the general liability insurance cover us off campus?

Yes, as long as you are on University of Massachusetts business or at a University of Massachusetts sponsored event.
You would also want a Certificate of Insurance for the event location's general liability insurance to be sure they are covered for their negligence.

Are student interns covered while working off campus?

If the student is acting under the direction of the employer, then they would be considered like an "employee" and the employer's insurance policy should respond. If the student has a faculty teacher with him/her on the job sight directing their work, our insurance policy would usually respond.

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