Insurance Coverages
The University can be exposed to risk when using contractors, consultants, service providers, and/or vendors to provide goods or services or when outside organizations and individuals use University premises and/or facilities.
The University requires contractors, consultants, service providers, and/or vendors doing business with the University, as well as outside organizations and individuals using University premises and/or facilities, to maintain liability and other insurance as necessary to reasonably protect the University's financial interests, and in amounts deemed adequate by the University. The University may also be exposed to risk when units fail to follow University policies and procedures with respect to entering into contracts, leases, or other types of agreements, on behalf of the University.
Contracts are to be signed only by those with delegated contract signature authority (formally delegated by the University President).
Further, all contracts are to be reviewed by Purchasing prior to signature.
Types of Coverages
Property Coverage
The University purchases commercial property insurance for its buildings (including boiler and machinery) as well as some of its contents. The insurance is provided under a master property policy, which is subject to a deductible. Insured values are reviewed annually with the insurance carriers, and the buildings are insured up to the level of replacement cost. The University places its insurance coverage with commercial insurance carriers who have strong financial ratings given by one or more financial rating companies such as A.M Best Company, Standard and Poor's, or Moody's Investors Service.
Personal Property
Individuals who choose to bring personal property onto University premises should contact their insurance agent to be certain their property is properly insured. It may be desirable for personal property brought onto University premises to carry a sticker that is prominently displayed and identifies the owner. The University assumes no responsibility for any loss, theft, or damage to an individual's personal property brought onto the University premises, or University-leased premises, even if the property is brought to the University to be used in connection with their work.
Liability Coverage
The University purchases commercial Excess General Liability and Educator's Legal Liability Insurance with coverage limits in excess of $2,000,000 with a Self-Insured Retention (SIR). The Excess General Liability Insurance provides coverage for personal/advertising injury, employee benefits liability, incidental medical malpractice liability, foreign study programs, sexual abuse/molestation, etc. The Educator's Legal Liability provides coverage for Trustee Directors and Officers, errors and omissions, failure to educate, discrimination, personal injury, wrongful employment practices, etc.
Automobile Liability
University Owned Vehicles
The State of Illinois provides Auto Liability limits of up to $2,000,000 per occurrence for automobile liability incurred with operating a vehicle in accordance with State of Illinois Central Management Services guidelines. (Reference Policy 5.4.2 Automobile Insurance) The State of Illinois coverage is primary (pays first) for any owned or leased automobile; the State of Illinois coverage is in excess of any other available coverage for non-owned vehicles. The University maintains commercial insurance on a limited number of vehicles. This commercial coverage is maintained for University-approved auto usage that is beyond the scope allowed by the State of Illinois Auto Liability Plan.
Employees who use their own personal vehicles for business use must understand that their personal auto insurance would be primary/pay first for all related auto claims.
All other information for University vehicles can be found on the Office of Parking and Transportation site.
Car Rental Information
- Information on the use of rental vehicles can be found here.
- Additional information on renting a vehicle can be found on the Travel site.
Crime Insurance (Employee Dishonesty)
The University purchases commercial insurance to protect against financial loss resulting from employee dishonesty. This insurance is sometimes referred to as crime insurance. The University retains a high deductible per loss. The deductible is charged to the unit sustaining the loss.
Insurance for Student Group-hosted Special Events and other insurance needs
The University has many Student Groups (Registered Student Organizations, or "RSOs") to fit various interests of the student body, and some Student Groups host special events on campus. These Student Group-hosted special events vary widely in their activities, number of attendees, and other factors that go into Risk Management's determination (in conjunction with the University's Event Review Committee) whether or not particular special events will be required to be covered by commercially available liability insurance. For most Student Group-hosted special events, the insurance requirements to be met are:
General Liability insurance coverage, with limits of no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, naming "The Board of Trustees of Illinois State University" as an additional insured, at least for the date(s) of the special event.
A Certificate of Insurance (COI) that evidences a Student Group's coverage for their special event shall be provided to Risk Management for review no later than five (5) business days prior to the special event's first day.
Should a Student Group not already have insurance coverage in place that meets the above requirements, there are plenty of commercially available special event liability insurance providers, some of which are available online. Although no Student Group will be required to use a particular insurance provider, for the convenience of Student Groups, our Office has vetted two insurance providers to meet the insurance need for their hosted special events on campus:
AMBA Campus Connexions : Please see their FAQ for additional information on this insurance option.
URMIA TULIP , by using their " Quick Quote" tab: For additional information on this special event liability insurance option, please review their basic coverages (including Limits of Liability), what Activites are Covered, and the Activities that are Ineligible for Coverage.
NOTE: The above two options are intended only to insure special events held and hosted by Student Groups on University property. Neither of these options will insure vendors (bands, DJs, etc.) hired by the Student Groups to participate in a special event; vendors that are required by Risk Management to provide proof of their liability insurance meeting requirements will need to obtain the insurance separate from the Student Groups. Further, many sport competitions are excluded from coverage by these insurance providers; Student Groups will need to directly contact the providers to determine if their sport competitions are eligible for coverage.
Beyond special event liability insurance, both AMBA Campus Connexions and URMIA TULIP offer various forms of coverage to students and student groups, alumni, faculty, staff, and retirees for campus related insurance needs. Some of their other available coverages include: insurance for travel/study abroad, tuition refund insurance, laptop and renters insurance, and more. To learn more about these coverages for purchase, you can visit:
Student Health Insurance
The University provides a group policy (Hospital-Medical-Surgical) to students. Contact the Student Insurance Division of Student Health Services for information.
Workers Compensation
As required by law, the University provides Workers Compensation coverage via the State of Illinois Workers Compensation Plan. For information, or to file a claim, contact the campus Workers Compensation Office, 202 Nelson Smith Building at (309) 438-2007.
Certificates of Insurance
A variety of situations exist when a unit may be asked to provide evidence that the University and/or University employees are insured. Units that are asked to provide evidence of the University's liability should contact University Risk Management at (309) 438-1900.