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Insurance

Insurance

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Enterprise Risk Management works to protect the people, property, and financial resources of the University of Oklahoma. We partner with the entire OU community to identify potential risks and prevent losses, whether through risk avoidance, prevention, assumption, or transfer.

Our team also manages property and liability insurance for the Norman campus, ensuring the university is prepared to safeguard its assets now and in the future.

Insurance Programs

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An insurance policy is purchased for the State of Oklahoma for owned and non-owned aircraft. This policy also insures hull damage for particular aircraft as designated by OU. OU Legal Counsel administers claims.

Provided under the Governmental Tort Claims Act and administered by SRMD. Statutory limits are the same as those for General Liability. Claims are administered by OU Legal Counsel. Premiums are collected by SRMD for all vehicles owned or leased by state agencies, as reported annually by the OU Fleet Services.

A policy has been purchased by OU through the University insurance representative to cover theft or robbery of monies and securities.

Administered by State of Oklahoma Risk Management Division under Oklahoma Statute.

An insurance policy is purchased for the State of Oklahoma and excludes All Accidents/Occurrences within the State of Oklahoma. OU Legal Counsel administers claims.

The OU Museum of Art and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History have purchased fine arts insurance policies to cover specific pieces or collections of fine arts or museum specimens that are located in OU facilities or travel to outside facilities.

Provided under the Governmental Tort Claims Act of 1985, which provides the only procedure by which tort claims may be brought against the state or an employee of the state. This program is administered by the State Risk Management Division (hereinafter referred to as SRMD) of the Office of Central Services of the State of Oklahoma. Statutory limits are $175,000 per person for any loss other than property; $25,000 per person for property damage; and $1,000,000 per occurrence, all claimants, and coverages. OU Legal Counsel administers claims.

Because of limitations under the Governmental Tort Claims Act specifically related to physicians, physician malpractice claims are administered under a separate insurance policy. OU Legal Counsel administers these claims.

An insurance policy to protect against judgments awarded for actions occurring outside the State of Oklahoma. OU Legal Counsel administers claims.

On any given day, OU employees can be found in other states and around the world in the performance of their duties, so it is important to note that this policy does not provide coverage in specified countries. A good rule of thumb to follow for university-sponsored travel programs and foreign operations is the U.S. State Department’s restrictions for travel for U.S. citizens, which may mirror the insurance carrier’s exclusions.

Provided under the Governmental Tort Claims Act and administered by SRMD. Statutory limits are the same as above. OU Legal Counsel administers claims.

Educators Legal Liability/Directors & Officers/Errors & Omissions--The Governmental Tort Claims Act of 1985 does not cover actions brought pursuant to federal statutes, such as EEOC and discrimination lawsuits. Therefore, an insurance policy covering the directors and officers, and all other state agency employees, is purchased by SRMD. Claims are strictly reported and administered by OU Legal Counsel.

State of Oklahoma Property Insurance Program--This mandated program was begun by SRMD in 1990, with the State acting as the insurer. SRMD purchases a reinsurance policy from several insurance carriers, with different tiers of retention levels.

It is important to note that each building carries a maximum amount of insurance for the structure and its contents, per the replacement cost values reported by OU. Premiums are charged by SRMD, and various accounts pay the applicable premiums based upon the facility use of the property (such as E&G, academic, auxiliary, etc.). Losses are adjusted by SRMD as the primary insurer, with the other insurance carriers involved as retention levels are reached. Documentation for reimbursement of losses is extensive.

There is a $750,000 Per Occurrence deductible for the Norman Campus. The policy contains industry standard exclusions and specific stop loss levels for certain coverage’s, such as fine arts.

Tort negligence for university-sponsored activities is covered by the Governmental Tort Claims Act. Liability for student-sponsored activities and for the activities of others who use our facilities should be provided by those same parties. Please note that outside parties may purchase these types of insurance policies through local insurance agents in Norman or indemnify OU through a Certificate of Insurance on the owner’s existing General Liability Policy.

The University requires liability insurance for all special events held on OU property.  Event liability insurance protects OU.  This insurance does not take the place of recommended health insurance for individual participants that may be appropriate for these activities and required of organizations such as sports clubs.  Proof of liability insurance is required before a reservation of OU property can be confirmed.  These policies shall name the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma as additional insured.  To assist student organizations in obtaining insurance, Office of Enterprise Risk Management offers event insurance policies through their affiliate, Office of Enterprise Risk Management, and Insurance Association (URMIA).  The URMIA TULIP insurance policy has been created especially for groups using college or university facilities.  It is event specific.  Organizations wishing to purchase the TULIP program insurance or get a quote may access the company's website at https://ajgrms.com.  To access the brochure on the URMIA TULIP program please refer to Forms & Documents by clinking on the menu link to the left.

The most common type of coverage is electronic equipment coverage, to insure departmental computers and office equipment. This policy offers various deductibles ranging from $500 and up and are paid by departmental funds.

OU purchases two surety bonds through the University insurance representative, as required by the U.S. Postal Service to operate the post offices in Adams Center and the Oklahoma Memorial Union. Premiums are paid by the departments.

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Camps and clinics which are operated by outside parties in OU facilities are required to provide proof of liability insurance and to name OU as a certificate holder under their policies. Camps and clinics, which are operated by OU, purchase a basic accident/illness insurance policy from various vendors, and OU camp/clinic participants are required to sign a waiver before participating in activities.

An accident and illness insurance policy is purchased by the Institute of Child Development of the College of Education for the participants in their children’s program. The premium is paid for by the College. All other childcare centers in OU facilities are operated by outside parties and OU is named as an additional insured under their liability insurance policies.

The Office of Human Resources, Benefits Office, is responsible for the purchase of employee benefits policies, including such coverages as health insurance, life insurance, long-term care, and accidental death and dismemberment.

An insurance policy is purchased by the OU Athletic Department for student athletes’ and cheerleaders’ catastrophic injuries during participation in Athletic Department sports programs, as mandated by the NCAA and Big 12 Conference. Claims are administered by the Athletic Department, and the premium is paid by Athletics.

OU Human Resources purchases a health insurance policy on behalf of the UOSA through an open bid process, and premiums are paid by the enrolled students. There is mandatory enrollment for international students, unless they can provide proof of coverage through their home countries. This program is administered by the Office of Human Resources, Benefits Office, and claims are coordinated through Macori, Inc.

Since 1995, OU has been self-insured for workers’ compensation and the claims program is administered by a third-party administrator.

The University purchases excess Workers' Compensation coverage for claims that exceed the self-insured retention of $450,000.

Rental Car

 Important Facts to Know When Renting a Car for Business Activities

The State of Oklahoma does not insure property that it does not own. Regarding rental cars, there is no comprehensive/collision coverage provided by the State for the rental vehicle and there is no coverage for the negligent acts of a third party (i.e.: theft, vandalism, collision with the other party being at fault). If you choose not to purchase the physical damage coverage for rental cars then you and/or your personal auto insurance provider may be held accountable for any physical damage as the result of an accident, vandalism, or weather-related events. If renting a vehicle from OU Fleet Services, you do not need to purchase any insurance.

When renting a car while traveling for business related purposes you will be asked if you want to purchase insurance for the car you are renting/leasing. This can be confusing as there are several types of insurance that are offered. Most rental car companies offer LDW (Loss Damage Waiver), CDW (Collision Damage Waiver), ESL (Enhanced Supplemental), SLI (Supplemental Liability), PAE (Personal Accidents and Effects). For travel claims, only LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) and CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) are reimbursable. There is no need to purchase supplemental liability insurance as you are covered through the State’s Governmental Tort Claims Act if you are conducting business within the scope of your employment

We highly recommend that if you are considering renting a vehicle that you or any members of your departmental team take the new self-guided Driver Safety Training Module through the OnPoint Library. This short presentation and quiz will teach you important tips and best practices of being a safe driver.