Insurance

The Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management (EHSRM) is responsible for managing the university’s insurance program. In accordance with the Texas Tort Claims Act, general liability insurance is not procured; however, we do purchase auto and property insurance. We also provide insurance consultation and related services.

Our primary services are loss prevention and loss control. Loss prevention means preventing a loss before it can happen. Examples of loss prevention measures are driving safely and following fire safety standards. Loss control means limiting the impact when a loss occurs. A good example is the use of sprinkler systems to control fires.

Departments should immediately notify our office anytime someone is seriously ill or injured or an accident or incident occurs involving university vehicles or property. We will investigate and administer the claim and if the claim is large enough to involve our commercial insurance carrier, we will act as the interface with them.

Please contact EHSRM for questions regarding insurance or to accomplish requests to provide proof of insurance.

ASU departments routinely engage in activities or enter into agreements or contracts with other parties that may create risk for the university. The nature of these activities must be evaluated to ensure that the parties to the agreement/contract adequately address the risk, obtain appropriate insurance, and provide the other party with proof of insurance.

The Contracting Office is responsible for coordinating the university’s contracting processes, and will review all of the documents and any necessary proof of insurance before execution of an agreement/contract. Visit the Contracting Office website to obtain additional information regarding contract procedures. Review the Minimum Insurance Requirements to properly coordinate coverage requirements and limits.

The Office of Special Events coordinates use of all university-owned property by other departments and non-affiliated entities. ASU departments do not have to obtain insurance to use campus facilities if the activity is university sponsored, but may be responsible for damages incurred.

Use of facilities by non-affiliated entities is facilitated via a Facility Use Agreement, and liability insurance must be obtained. Please visit the Special Events website for more information.

The party entering into a university agreement must provide proof of insurance.

• A homeowner’s policy may include extended liability coverage.
• A Tenant-User Liability Insurance Policy (TULIP) provides the required liability insurance for users of university-owned facilities.

University sponsored events taking place on university property may require the event organizer/sponsor to obtain general liability insurance. This is necessary when the following conditions exist.

1. The event is categorized as “high risk” which typically describes events involving physical activity and/or the threat of property damage or personal injury. These types of events have included, but are not limited to; fun runs, power lifting contests, piano smashes, car smashes, hot air balloon rides, mechanical bull rides, zip lines, and inflatables.
2. The sponsor of the high risk event allows participants that do not have a university affiliation, meaning they are not currently enrolled as a student or employed by Angelo State, to take part in the event.

In addition to insurance, participants are required to sign a liability release form prior to engaging in a high risk activity or event.

All university departments and organizations sponsoring high risk activities or events must ensure all participants sign a release agreement as a condition of their participation. The Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management will coordinate the agreement with the event organizer or sponsor.

The release agreement forms should be submitted to the department administrator responsible for retaining the forms. Release forms are required to be maintained by the responsible department (electronic or hard copy) for a minimum of (3) three years.

Employees traveling for university affiliated/sponsored activities are afforded medical coverage for accidents and incidents under the SORM workers’ compensation program.

Students participating in group travel for academic camps, conferences, field trips, or other events may wish to obtain trip insurance which provides coverage for accidents and sickness requiring ambulatory transport, medical treatment, and/or hospitalization. The Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management coordinates trip insurance with the department sponsoring the trip.

The State Office of Risk Management administers the state’s workers’ compensation insurance program. For questions regarding workers’ compensation coverage and/or the university’s program, please visit the Human Resources website.