Automotive coverage and liability
NSHE is self-insured for liability from automobile bodily injury and property damage through the State of Nevada Torts Claim Fund. Claims are evaluated by both BCN Risk Management and the State of Nevada Risk Management Office.
The standard deductible for physical damage is $300.
Auto coverage information
Liability coverage includes bodily injury or property damage to others, including passengers in our vehicle, arising out of an NSHE driver's negligence. The NSHE employee is generally entitled to defense and indemnification in such situations.
A person who performs volunteer service under the direct supervision and control of and for the benefit of the NSHE is considered an employee and is also generally entitled to defense and indemnification.
Students cannot be defended or indemnified by the NSHE under Nevada law unless the student is also an employee and is acting as such at the time of the accident. Students performing required course work are not volunteers.
Vehicles can be insured for Comprehensive and Collision (collectively known as Automobile Physical Damage coverage or APD) at your option through a self-insurance program administered by NSHE Risk Management. These coverages are not provided unless requested by the department owning the vehicle. The department bears the cost of repairs or replacement of a damaged vehicle when coverage has not been requested. Insured vehicles are subject to a deductible of $300. The deductible will be waived when it is recovered from another party.
In accordance with the State Administrative Manual Section 0521.0. NSHE and State employees who drive state-owned vehicles must participate in an approved Defensive Driving class and applicable refresher courses once every four years or subsequent to an at-fault accident if recommended by an accident review committee.
Four-hour classes are offered through Environment Health and Safety at the University of Nevada, Reno, or through the State Risk Management Office.
The National Safety Council also offers an online Defensive Driving Course for $41.25 per participant. This course can be taken in lieu of the four-hour in-class training option offered through UNR or the State of Nevada.
Utility vehicles that are not designed for highway use, and are typically used to haul people or goods around campus include: off road, all terrain (ATV), food and beverage carts, gators, tow tractors, personnel carriers, etc. Elective physical damage coverage is available under the auto insurance program for these units.
These utility vehicles represent a substantial exposure for loss, particularly from theft, fire and collision. Physical damage coverage is not automatically provided, unless requested by the department owning the vehicle. The department bears the cost of repairs or replacement of a damaged utility vehicle when coverage has not been requested.
Insured utility vehicles are subject to a $5,000 deductible. Please contact the BCN Risk Management Office at (775) 784-4394 to verify coverage, or make a change if needed.
There are two types of self-insured coverage that could apply: Auto Physical Damage and Property.
- Auto Physical Damage applies when the cart is valued over $5,000. This coverage is through the State of Nevada’s Risk Management self-insured program. There is a $5,000 institution deductible. These carts must be listed on the scheduled fleet that is coordinated through RMS.
- Property Coverage applies when the cart is valued under $5,000. This coverage is through the NSHE property insurance program which is within the NSHE deductible. NSHE will apply a $3,000 department deductible for a cart loss as the result of theft or vandalism only. Property insurance policy terms and conditions are applicable. One term in the property insurance includes an exclusion of mysterious disappearance. There must be physical evidence of a theft for coverage to apply. Damage to carts from other perils like fire, wind, etc., the $2,000 standard department property deductible will be applicable.
We must be diligent in our efforts to prevent these incidents from taking place. In order to maintain Campuses property and obtain the maximum value from golf cart purchases Risk Management offers the following information regarding theft prevention and claim processing.
Theft Prevention
Any golf cart valued over $3,000 must have a theft prevention device such as a club, chain lock, or other similar theft prevention device for any coverage to apply.
To deter further incidents, Risk Management recommends:
- When new golf cart is purchased, take photos of the cart (front and back).
- Store in a locked, secure area that can be accessed only by employees. If a secure area is not available, try to secure the cart utilizing other means, for example chaining the cart to a fixed object like a rack or to other carts.
- Do not leave cart keys in the ignition when not in use.
- Perform regular inventory if you have more than one cart.
- Track when golf carts are being used by employees. An example of a golf cart sign sheet is attached.
- Contact Police Services immediately when you discover a cart missing. Take photos of the area but do not disturb any evidence.
- Contact Risk Management when filing a claim.
The NSHE does not provide insurance coverage on the personal vehicles of employees. Persons using personal vehicles for official business are required to maintain liability insurance coverage in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada or other domiciled State. In the event of an accident in a personal vehicle while on official business, the employee's personal vehicle insurance will apply to bodily injuries, property damage and physical damage to the employee's vehicle.
The State of Nevada Purchasing Department has multiple contracts for vehicle rentals that may be used by all State Agencies, including the Nevada System of Higher Education. Information regarding these contracts is available on the Purchasing website. Please read the Frequently Asked Questions section.
For NSHE, current WSCA-contracted rental car vendors
It is very important to use the proper account code when reserving the vehicle to obtain the insurance protection. Failure to use the proper account will result in personal liability for auto damages.
Rental car exclusions for all contracts
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
- Driving off road;
- Vehicles rented principally for personal use;
- Vehicles driven by non-employees (which means students cannot drive unless they are also paid employees and acting as such at the time they are driving); and
- Anyone under the age of twenty one.
- Passenger vans are not allowed and are excluded from contracts.
- Under the State contract's Enterprise Rental Car Exclusion, coverage is not provided for any vehicle they consider a luxury or exotic vehicle for damages or liability.
Damages to rental cars should be reported to the rental agency and the BCN Risk Management office as soon as possible.
When a contract or grant requires auto insurance coverage for non-owned vehicles, each vehicle must individually be added to the NSHE Commercial Auto Insurance Policy with a list of authorized drivers. The Department will be charged a premium to add a vehicle to this insurance policy. If this coverage is needed the Department Representative must contact the BCN Risk Management Office to add the vehicle to the policy. Insurance cards for the vehicle will be provided by BCN Risk Management upon approval and acceptance from the commercial auto insurer.
Auto claims information
Claims for damages to NSHE owned vehicles with Automobile Physical Damage coverage should be reported to the HR Shared Services Risk Management Office as soon as possible. Accidents reported after 90 days may be denied. Reports should be made utilizing the Vehicle Accident Report form below and filled out as completely as possible. The department is responsible for obtaining three repair estimates. Reimbursement will be made based on the lowest estimate. There is a $300.00 department deductible. The claim is also based on a reimbursement, so the department is responsible for paying the costs of the repairs up-front. Claim will be reviewed by the State Risk Management Office for final determination.
If a third party is responsible for the damage to a NSHE vehicle, the HR Shared Services Risk Management Office will subrogate against the third party's insurer for the repair or replacement of the damaged vehicle. If the third party has no insurance or is not able to otherwise pay for the damages; the cost of repairs will be reimbursed through the HR Shared Services Risk Management Office if there is APD coverage on the vehicle. The $300.00 deductible will be applied.
Effective July 13, 2007: NSHE owned vehicles insured with Automobile Physical Damage coverage while being used “Off-Road”, are subject to a $2,000 department deductible.
Damages to rental cars should be reported to the rental agency and the HR Shared Services Risk Management Office as soon as possible.
The NSHE does not have insurance coverage on the personal vehicle of an employee. Persons using personal vehicles for official business must obtain necessary insurance from their insurance agent. In the event of an accident, the personal vehicle insurance is primary.
The NSHE Risk Management office uses the contracts awarded by the State of Nevada. Departments utilizing these vendors will not be required to obtain competitive bids for automobile glass replacement.
The Windshield/Glass Loss Report form should be completed and submitted to the HR Shared Services Risk Management Office. Go to the Windshield Repair Vendors form for a list of authorized vendors. Departments unwilling to utilize preferred glass replacement vendors must obtain three (3) estimates for vehicle glass replacement and have the glass replaced for the lowest available cost. Because of the nature of glass replacement claims, agencies may obtain telephone estimates for windshield and other vehicle glass replacements. However, these estimates should still be documented for the file.
