news from claims management office

Every employee who drives a university vehicle should be aware of changes
in Central Management Services' policies about automobile accidents.

CMS, the university's auto liability insurance carrier, is taking a more
aggressive position toward the adjustment of auto liability claims,
according to Douglas Caldwell, claims manager.

During the last fiscal year, the UI submitted 192 auto claims with an
average reporting time of 24.58 days. Beginning with FY96, CMS will deny
claims for general liability that are not received in seven calendar days.

The Claims Management Office must be notified of an auto accident and must
receive a written traffic accident report in time to meet the deadline.
Failure to meet CMS' seven-day deadline may result in the driver of the
auto or the driver's department being charged for the loss, Caldwell said.

Another area that CMS is watching closely is how the university vehicle is
being used at the time of the accident. Even though the university vehicle
may have been checked out for "state business," insurance coverage is not
in force for a side trip to the store, home, bank, etc. If an accident
occurs while a university vehicle is being used for such a side trip, the
driver will be held responsible for liability as well as comprehensive
damages.

More information is available from the Claims Office at 333-1080.