Automobile Liability Insurance

Employees should understand UC policy and requirements regarding insurance coverage when driving on University business. If you are in a vehicle accident while driving for work, the primary insurance liability will depend on who owns the vehicle (for example, University vehicles, rental vehicles, or personal vehicles). See the UCOP Risk Services webpage for more information about University policies concerning driving on the job and auto liability programs.

University Vehicles: The University's insurance program provides automobile liability and collision coverage for UC-owned vehicles operated by UC employees, volunteers, or affiliates.

Personal Vehicles: When an employee or volunteer uses their personal vehicle on University business, in the event of an accident, the employee/volunteer's automobile liability insurance policy is primary. The University provides secondary automobile liability coverage only after the limits of the employee/volunteer's liability insurance policy have been reached, subject to University policy.

UC travel policy (BFB G-28) requires that employees driving their personal vehicles on university business must maintain minimum levels of auto liability insurance as follows: $50,000 for personal injury to, or death of, one person; $100,000 for injury to, or death of, two or more persons in one accident; and $50,000 for property damage. These limits are higher than the minimum insurance levels allowed by law, so employees should verify that they have adequate coverage.

Additionally, UC travel policy (BFB G-28) allows reimbursement of the employee’s insurance deductible, up to $500, when they have an accident while driving their personal vehicle on UC business. ANR does not have a central account for such reimbursement, it needs to come from a department account that allows this expense. If approved by your unit Director or manager, this reimbursement can be processed through AggieExpense. The employee should choose ‘Miscellaneous Other’ for the expense type and then provide a description in the comments section and submit an Incident Report, along with documentation of your deductible payment, as attachments/receipts in the AggieExpense report.

Rental Cars: The University maintains contracts with car rental agencies, which include insurance coverage for most rentals. Make your reservation through UC's Connexxus travel reservation program or use the ID numbers provided here to receive UC's discounted rates and insurance.

Trailers: In some instances you may be required to operate a vehicle that is towing a trailer for UC business. There are some important items to remember regarding the safe operation of UC vehicles and trailers as well as how to ensure you are properly covered while operating. Before you tow, please be sure and look through the Guidelines for Insurance and Liability when Towing a Trailer to be certain that all appropriate criteria are met.

What's Covered	What's Not Covered
Damage to any ANR-owned or -leased vehicle registered with ANR Risk Services.	Injuries to the driver (covered by Workers' Comp if in the course and scope of employment).
Liability for damage to other vehicles caused by drivers of ANR-owned vehicles	Damage to private property or injuries to others (covered by the General Liability insurance program).
Liability for injuries to other drivers (and passengers) caused by drivers of ANR-owned vehicles.	Damage associated with selling, repairing, servicing, road testing, parking or storing University vehicles.
	Damage to rented or loaned vehicles.
	Damage to personal vehicles, even if driven on University business.

Exceptions to the Coverage:
In accordance with Business & Finance Bulletin 46 and related University policies, if a driver uses a University vehicle improperly, University insurance will not pay for any damage that occurs as a result, and the driver may be held responsible for reimbursing the department.

What constitutes improper use? Among other things:

Use for private purposes
Use by a driver with a suspended license or no license
Use by a driver under the influence of alcohol or narcotics
Any kind of reckless behavior, from double-parking to speeding to leaving the scene of an accident

Tickets received while operating a University-owned vehicle are the responsibility of the driver, not the University.

If You Know Who Did the Damage:
University employees working within the course and scope of their employment are not personally liable for damage they cause to University vehicles. If the damage is somebody else's fault, and you know who that person is, contact us and we will pursue the liable party for payment.

How to Report an Accident or File a Claim:

The ANR Vehicle Insurance/Incident Report Packet should be placed in every ANR vehicle to provide proof of insurance and an Incident Report form in case of an accident.

Contact us as soon as you know about the damage. Please submit the report within 48 hours, even if the information is incomplete. You can update the report later if necessary.

The driver or employee responsible for the vehicle must complete an Incident Report form, even if the damage isn't accident related. An Incident Report should be completed for any accident when you are driving on University business, whether you are driving a University vehicle, personal vehicle or rental car. Complete the Incident Report, sign it and return it to ANR Risk Services as soon as possible.

Within 60 days we will need the following additional information:

A police report or police report number, if any
Estimate(s) for repair costs.

Depending on the circumstances, other documentation may also be required. If you have any questions, please contact ANR Risk Services.