The University has liability insurance protection to cover damages caused by, or in some cases to, leased vehicles used for official University business. This liability protection is provided to University employees or our agents (e.g. students, volunteers) through the Commonwealth of Virginia's Division of Risk Management. Beginning on 7/1/07, vehicles will be covered through a combination of self-insurance and the State's LeaseCare program. The department having responsibility for the vehicle must pay the first $1,000 of loss for each claim. Use of credit cards providing coverage for damages to rental vehicles, such as the University travel and purchasing cards, when used to book and pay for vehicle rentals is a potential source of coverage for rental vehicle damage including the $1,000 departmental deductible. However, use of a credit card to pay for damage to a rental vehicle will jeopardize coverage through the State or University's coverage programs. Because leased vehicles are insured under the State program, it is not necessary for employees to purchase additional insurance through the leasing agency if it is located in the United States or Canada. When employees lease vehicles in a foreign country (excluding Canada), we recommend the purchase of liability and physical damage coverage from the leasing agency.

Vehicles leased for 30 days or less are covered up to $2 million per claim in excess of the leased vehicle's primary insurance. If there is no primary insurance, the State's program provides primary coverage when a leased vehicle is involved in an accident due to employee negligence.

The Office of Risk Management will handle all claim related payments to the rental agency on approved claims. The Office of Risk Management will then bill the department for costs incurred up to the $1,000.00 deductible.

When accepting, and also upon returning the vehicle it is strongly recommended that renters examine the vehicle and note any damages in the agreement documents in order to avoid being held responsible for pre-existing damages. The rental agreement documents should be given to your department and retained in the event Risk Management may need them to manage a claim related to the rental vehicle.

In order to not jeopardize your department's claim being reimbursed by the State adhering to the following guidelines is strongly recommended:

·         If involved in an accident in a rental vehicle immediately contact the police and your supervisor.  If the police deem it not necessary to take a report, you should get their name, badge number, and phone number.

·         Notify the leasing agency of the accident. 

·         Report the accident to Crawford & Co., (1-866-219-6120) as soon as possible.  Inform Crawford & Co. that you are an employee of the Commonwealth.

·         Complete an Auto Loss Notice.  The completed Auto Loss Notice may be faxed to Risk Management at (434-982-2635).  The completed Auto Loss Notice should be submitted to Risk Management within 7 days.  If you will not be able to submit the Auto Loss Notice to Risk Management within the 7 days call Risk Management at (434-924-3055)

·         If at all possible do NOT return a vehicle to the rental agency after hours.