The college insures all its vehicles for liability (injury to third parties and third-party property damage) and physical damage (comprehensive/collision). If you are driving a university-owned vehicle with the permission of the university, then you are an insured driver under the college's policy. The same holds true for students or others driving university vehicles with permission.

If you rent a vehicle while working on behalf of the university (including unpaid or volunteer work), you should rent the vehicle in the name of the university and your own name. This means that you should sign both your name and "Nazareth University" on the rental agreement. The university's auto policy will then respond as if the rented vehicle is an "owned" vehicle, so you should decline liability and collision insurance unless your department has specifically decided to purchase the collision waiver. Never rent a vehicle valued in excess of $30,000.

It is important to inspect any rented vehicle before driving it. Make sure any dents, scratches or other damage to the vehicle are noted on the rental form. Otherwise, the college may have to pay for damages you did not cause.

Frequently you will be driving your own vehicle on university business. When you do so, your own insurance policy serves as a "primary" policy for third-party liability and is your only source of coverage for claims involving physical damage to your vehicle.

This means:

• If a liability claim arising out of an accident exceeds your policy limits, then the university's policy will cover the accident in excess of your policy. For example, if you carry $20,000/$40,000 liability insurance, and injure a pedestrian severely resulting in over $100,000 of medical bills, your policy would pay the first $20,000 of the claim, and the university policy would respond for the balance of the claim.
• If your vehicle is damaged as a result of an accident or otherwise, whether it is your fault or not, your comprehensive/collision coverage would respond. You are responsible for any deductible amounts under your policy. If you do not carry any comprehensive or collision insurance, then the entire amount of the damage is your responsibility. Neither the college nor the university's insurance will pay for any physical damage to your vehicle — you use it at your own risk.

No. Mileage reimbursements are designed to include an incremental cost for insurance and deductibles.

At the scene of the accident:

• Check for personal injuries and call an ambulance if needed.
• Secure the assistance of the police whenever possible and obtain a copy of the police report or police report number.
• Do not admit any liability for the accident even if you think you are at fault.
• Exchange driver/insurance information with the other party (parties), if applicable.
• Get written statements from any witnesses, or get their name, address, and phone numbers for later contact.

When you return to campus:

• Immediately notify and file an accident report with the Campus Safety (lower level of the Otto Shults Center). File any mandated state accident reports to the proper authorities, and give a copy together with the police report to the Campus Safety. The Campus Safety will forward a copy of the reports to the Controller's Office.
• If the vehicle is assigned to your department, and your department has a person who is responsible for coordinating the use of the vehicle, notify the department Vehicle Coordinator and give that person copies of all reports. The Department Vehicle Coordinator will coordinate with the Controller's Office on any insurance claims.

Do not have the vehicle repaired before you receive approval from the Controller's Office.

Follow the general instructions as above, but be sure to report the accident to your own insurance company as well. If there is any injury to any third party, you must file a letter to the University stating that the accident occurred while you were on University business and the nature of the business.

This is in addition to the accident reports per the instructions above. Please indicate the name of your insurance company, the insurance policy number, and the limits of liability that you carry. If you are aware of any serious injuries to any third parties, including any University employees or students, as a result of the accident, please include the particulars in your report.

The reports should be sent to:

Director of Campus Safety
Nazareth University
4245 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618-3790
(585) 389-2840

Again, be sure to file any claims with your insurance company as you would if the accident occurred when you were not working.

If the accident occurs while you are working for Nazareth University, whether using your personal auto or a Nazareth auto (owned or rented), your medical costs and lost wages should be covered by Workers' Compensation in accordance with New York State statutory benefits. You must file a Workers' Compensation Claim. (Contact Human Resources for information and procedures.)

Students and other non-employee passengers should file any injury claims with their health insurers. Coverage for injuries or lost wages may also be available to such individuals under the auto policy insuring the vehicle in which they were occupants (under No-Fault coverage). If a third party caused the accident, coverage may be available under the at-fault driver's insurance.

The circumstances of the accident, vehicles involved, and the extent of coverage maintained by other at-fault drivers may all figure in determining the source(s) of coverage for injuries or lost wage losses sustained by students and other non-employees. The details of these other sources are beyond the scope of this webpage. Contact the Controller's Office to determine if coverage may be available under Nazareth's insurance program.

1. The University's auto insurance policy may not respond to cover unauthorized drivers. Unauthorized drivers may be personally liable for claims brought against them. The University may also have the right to claim against unauthorized drivers.
2. The University is not responsible for, nor will it pay any claims for, damages to vehicles owned by students, faculty, or staff which are caused by falling ice, snow, tree limbs, or any other natural occurrence or event on its property or elsewhere, whether the possibility of such an event is warned against or not. The University is not responsible for, nor will it pay any for losses, claims, or damage to vehicles owned by students, faculty, or staff which are caused by vandalism, collision with unknown vehicles, or other acts by any person.