Insurance
Auto Liability & Physical Damage
Automobile liability insurance provides coverage to the University and its authorized drivers for damage to property and bodily injury to others. Physical damage insurance covers damage to MSU owned vehicles.
Vehicle Usage
The University policies and procedures are in place to support the safety of faculty, staff, and students driving MSU owned vehicles while on University business. For detailed information on who is an authorized driver and what their responsibilities are refer to Section 35 of the MSU Manual of Business Procedures.
Accident Reporting
Any accident involving a MSU owned vehicle must be reported to the appropriate police authority.
Each MSU owned vehicle’s glove compartment should contain the following documents: What To Do When An Accident Occurs and a current certificate of no-fault insurance. If involved in an accident, review the What To Do When an Accident Occurs document for direction. The driver of the University vehicle or an authorized departmental representative must complete the Automobile Accident Report as soon as possible and forward it to the Office of Risk Management and Insurance (RMI).
Vehicle Repairs
To arrange for repairs to the vehicle, contact the MSU Service Garage at
Claim Process
RMI is responsible for facilitation of all automobile claims. Therefore, it is important to assist with this process by completing the Automobile Accident Report in a timely manner, always contacting the police, and referring all inquiries or correspondence received from anyone representing the other driver in an accident to RMI. This process will ensure compliance and assist with the recovery of funds as per the Michigan No-Fault law.
If the vehicle's keys have been left in the vehicle and physical damage occurs, the department is financially responsible for all damages.
Accidents involving injuries to employees must be reported to MSU Human Resources Workers' Compensation division.
Camp
Covers medical costs arising from accidental injuries to enrolled participants in sports and academic camps at MSU. To enroll, provide the following information to Risk Management and Insurance at riskmgmt@msu.edu:
- University Account Number
- Dates of the Camp
- Title of the Camp
- Department Contact Name, Phone & E-mail Address
- List of the Participants
Once the above information is received, the participants will be enrolled and you will receive an e-mail confirming the enrollment. The fee for the insurance is $1.50 per participant / per camp. Once the camp is completed, our office will submit a Distribution of Income and Expense charging the premium to the university account provided. Please notify our office of any changes you have in enrollment prior to the camp ending. Once the Distribution of Income and Expense has been prepared, all participant numbers will be considered final.
Coverage Overview
The student/camper has a one year benefit period. All medical services must be rendered one year from the date of accident. Treatment must begin within 60 days from the date of accident.
| Accidental Death | Maximum Limit: | $12,500.00 |
| Accidental Dismemberment | Maximum Limit: | $12,500.00 |
| Accident Medical/Dental Expense | Maximum Limit: | $24,500.00 |
| Deductible Amount: | $100.00 |
Eligible covered expenses are paid in excess of any other valid and collectible insurance.
Exclusions:
- Treatment, services or supplies which:
- Are not medically necessary.
- Are not prescribed by a Doctor as necessary to treat an injury.
- Are determined to be Experimental/Investigational in nature.
- Are received without charge or legal obligation to pay.
- Are received from persons employed or retained by the school or any family member, unless otherwise specified.
- Are not specifically listed as covered charges in this policy.
- Intentionally self-inflicted injury, violating or attempting to violate any duly enacted law. Injury by acts of war, whether declared or not.
- Injury received while traveling or flying by air, except as a fare paying passenger on a regularly scheduled commercial airline.
- Injury covered by Worker’s compensation or the Occupational Disease Law.
- Treatment of illness, disease or infections, except pyogenic infections or bacterial infections which result from the accidental ingestion or contaminated substances.
- Treatment of Osgood-Schlatter’s disease; appendicitis; osteomyelitis; pathological fractures; congenital weakness; TMJ; fainting; headaches; boils; spondylolysis; osteochrondritis; dissecans; detached retina unless directly caused by injury; or mental or nervous disorders whether or not caused by injury.
- Injury contributed to by the use of alcohol or drugs not prescribed by a doctor.
- Injury caused by or contributed to aggravation or re-injury of a pre-existing condition.
- Suicide or attempted suicide while sane; or self-destruction or an attempt to self-destroy while insane.
- Fighting, except as an innocent victim.
- Expense incurred for the use of orthotics unless used exclusively to promote healing.
- Heart and/or circulatory malfunction resulting from participation in a covered activity such as stroke, heat exhaustion, heart attack and brain circulatory malfunctions.
- Repetitive motion injuries, strains, hernia, tendonitis, bursitis and heat exhaustion not related to a specific injury.
- Any penalty imposed by other valid and collectible insurance or plan for failure to follow plan procedures.
Claim Process
In order to file a claim for coverage, complete the camp accident claim form (PDF). The MSU department that the participant is enrolled through should complete Part 1 of the claim form and have the parent or legal guardian of the participant complete Part 2 of the claim form. Upon completion of the form, it should be submitted to the First Agency either via US mail at the address indicated on the form, via fax to
Educators Legal Liability
Covers defense costs and payment of claims resulting from wrongful acts which may have caused damages that the University is legally obligated to pay. Claims may arise from organizational errors and omissions, trustee and officer liability, employment practices, negligent instruction, failure to grant due process, copyright infringement, idea misappropriation or other actions.
Fine Arts
Coverage includes property owned by, or loaned to, the University with an established appraised value. Covered property includes (but is not limited to) museum collections, jewelry, precious metals, paintings, rare books, sculptures, rare coins and antiques. Property must be scheduled (information provided to the insurer in advance) for coverage to apply. In order to schedule coverage, provide the following information to the Office of Risk Management & Insurance:
- Artist/Lender
- Lender Address
- Exhibit Title
- Dates of Exhibit
- Detailed Description of Artwork (title, medium & values)
Foreign Auto Physical Damage
Covers physical damage to University owned vehicles that are scheduled for use in foreign countries. Physical damage coverage may have been purchased in the country of origin, however because insurance regulations and procedures vary widely by country, we recommend purchasing a U.S. policy. The company that underwrites this risk in the U.S. has expertise in handling claims in foreign countries.
To schedule a vehicle to be added to the Foreign Auto Physical Damage policy, provide the following to the Office of Risk Management & Insurance:
- Vehicle Year
- Vehicle Make
- Vehicle Model
- Vehicle VIN
- Vehicle Value
- Country Where the Vehicle is Located
- Purchase Order Number if Available
- University Account Number
The premium for this coverage is charged to the requesting department.
Foreign Liability
Provides coverage in foreign countries for General Liability, Auto Liability, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment.
General Liability
Covers defense costs and payment of claims resulting from injuries to persons or damage to property of others that the University is legally obligated to pay. This coverage includes police professional and liquor liability as well as for claims that occur outside the United States as long as the claim is brought in the United States.
International Travel
Effective August 15, 2018, MSU's International travelers are covered by a new international medical and travel assistance plan provided through International SOS.
Please access International Health Insurance for more detailed information regarding this coverage.
Medical Professional Liability
Covers defense costs and payment of claims for injuries arising from the rendering or failure to render healthcare services by a medical professional employed by the University. More information can be found at Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Professional Liability Insurance.
Non-Owned Aviation
Covers claims for bodily injury and property damage resulting from the use of a non-owned aircraft.
Property
This policy covers University buildings, contents, and equipment for physical loss or damage due to a sudden and accidental occurrence. MSU property claims are subject to a $15,000 deductible per occurrence, which is the financial responsibility of the department or unit incurring the loss.
The following types of property damage are examples which are not covered by insurance:
- Deterioration, depletion, rust, corrosion or erosion, wear and tear, or latent defect.
- Settling, cracking, shrinking, bulging, or expansion of foundations, floors, walls, ceilings, or roofs.
- Damage resulting from changes in temperature or humidity.
- Damage resulting from insect, animal or vermin.
- Pollution or contamination.
- Fungus, mold or mildew.
- Personal Property of others.
- Mysterious disappearance or unexplained loss.
Property Loss Reporting & Claim Information
- The property loss must be reported by completing the MSU Property Loss Report (PDF) and submitting to the Office of Risk Management and Insurance at riskmgmt@msu.edu within 90 days of the loss. If not reported within 90 days of the loss, it becomes the financial responsibility of the department or unit incurring the loss.
- Incidents of vandalism, fire, and theft also need to be reported to the MSU Police Department or to the appropriate authorities where the property is located.
- MSU policies or your department may necessitate further reporting procedures.
- To substantiate the loss, the following items must be provided:
- To assist in describing the loss and to comply with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), pictures of the damage with a date and location stamp need to be submitted.
- Original invoices and/or purchase orders for both the damaged property and the replacement must be provided to support the claim.
- Once the MSU Property Loss Report is received by RMI, the claim will be reviewed for coverage determination. Additional discussion, documentation, and a visit to the site may be required.
- Written documentation and/or damaged items may be required for review prior to the settlement of the claim. Failure to provide documentation or damaged items may void the claim.
- If the loss involves theft, claims will be held for 30 days from the date of the occurrence to allow time for the missing items to be recovered. If recovered items are damaged, the loss will then be treated as a damage claim. If items are not recovered settlement will be based on the depreciated value at the time of loss.
- The damaged property must be repaired or replaced by the department before any reimbursement will be made.
- If the property cannot be repaired or the cost to repair is more than 50% of the replacement value, the item will be replaced with either new or reconditioned property of the same like, kind, quality, and specifications.
- A covered loss will be reimbursed to the account number provided by the department or unit reporting the loss, net of the $15,000 deductible.
- Upon closure of the claim, damaged equipment is to be forwarded to the MSU Surplus Store.
For further information or discussion, please contact:
Jenny Lafferty
Risk Management & Insurance Administrator
stumpje1@msu.edu
Special Event
Insurance available for purchase by groups holding one time events on campus who do not have insurance that meets the University's requirements for private events. The policy provides the required levels of coverage to use the facilities and protects the individuals or organization holding the event. Additional information and quotes for coverage can be found at the TULIP website. If you have questions regarding this coverage, contact Bobbi Boland via e-mail at bolandb@msu.eduor by phone at
Veterinary Professional Liability
Covers defense costs and payment of claims for injury or damage caused by a medical incident arising out of the provision of or failure to provide veterinary medical services.
Watercraft
Coverage includes watercraft owned by the University with an established value. Covered property includes: hull, tackle, apparel, boilers, machinery, appurtenances, equipment, stores, boats and furniture. The watercraft must be scheduled (information provided to the insurer in advance) for coverage to apply. To schedule a watercraft to be added to the Navigation policy, provide the following to the Office of Risk Management & Insurance:
- Watercraft Year
- Watercraft Make
- Watercraft Model
- Watercraft Identification Number
- Watercraft Value
- Purchase Order Number if Available
- University Account Number
The premium for this coverage is charged to the requesting department. While departments are not required to purchase Navigation insurance, they will assume the entire financial responsibility of any physical damage to the watercraft if they choose to not insure it on this policy. Watercraft is one of the specific exclusions on MSU’s property insurance policy.
Watercraft Damage/Loss Reporting & Claim Information
- The watercraft damage/loss must be reported by submitting the MSU Property Loss Report (PDF) along with photos of the damage/loss to the Office of Risk Management and Insurance at riskmgmt@msu.edu. Please be sure the loss report includes as much information as possible, including photos of the damage(s), the scheduled watercraft details (year/model/make/identification number/value/PO#), and a cost estimate if repairable (if available).
- The damage/loss must be reported to the Office of Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) promptly, but no later than 90 days after the loss. If not reported within 90 days, it becomes the financial responsibility of the department or unit incurring the loss.
- Incidents of vandalism, fire, and theft also need to be reported to the MSU Police Department or to the appropriate authorities where the property is located.
- MSU policies or your department may necessitate further reporting procedures.
- Once the MSU Property Loss Report is received by RMI, the claim will be reviewed for coverage determination. Additional discussion and/or documentation may be required.
- A covered loss will be reimbursed to the account number provided by department or unit reporting the loss, net of the $500 deductible.