Automobile Insurance and Safety

Insurance Coverage

When using a University-owned vehicle, practice safe driving skills at all times. While operating a vehicle, University regulations prohibit:

• Smoking
• Carrying firearms
• Transporting hazardous materials
• Carrying or consuming alcohol
• Violating relevant traffic and safety laws

Gallaudet University carries full liability insurance coverage for the University and the employee on a rental vehicle. It is not necessary to purchase liability insurance offered by the rental agency.

The University’s physical damage insurance coverage has a $35,000 limit. There is a $250 deductible for a physical damage claim. If the vehicle has a value of more than $35,000, please contact Risk Management at (202) 651-5695.

All University vehicles carry an automobile liability insurance identification card in the glove compartment. University insurance is only available on vehicles rented for approved University functions/business.

When renting a vehicle, a University provided automobile liability insurance identification card must be in the driver’s possession. Failure to have this card could result in being fined or having the vehicle impounded. This insurance card can be obtained from the Risk Management and Insurance office.

Insurance Claims

All automobile accidents should be reported to the Office of Risk Management and Insurance within 24 hours or, in case of injury, as soon as possible by phone, TTY/Relay, or email. In addition to reporting the accident to this office, the local law enforcement agency should always be notified.

A packet of materials including instructions on what to do in case of an accident and an incident report can be found in the glove compartment of the vehicles. The forms should be used by the driver to record the details of the accident, and then forwarded to Risk Management. The report will be reviewed and processed by the University insurance provider.