Insurance Programs

General Liability--Provided under the Governmental Tort Claims Act of 1985, which provides the only procedure by which tort claims may be brought against the state or an employee of the state. This program is administered by the State Risk Management Division (hereinafter referred to as SRMD) of the Office of Central Services of the State of Oklahoma. Statutory limits are $175,000 per person for any loss other than property; $25,000 per person for property damage; and $1,000,000 per occurrence, all claimants and coverages. OU Legal Counsel administers claims.

Auto & Watercraft Liability--Provided under the Governmental Tort Claims Act and administered by SRMD. Statutory limits are the same as those for General Liability. Claims are administered by OU Legal Counsel. Premiums are collected by SRMD for all vehicles owned or leased by state agencies, as reported annually by the OU Fleet Services.

Excess General & Auto Liability--An insurance policy is purchased for the State of Oklahoma and excludes All Accidents/Occurrences within the State of Oklahoma. OU Legal Counsel administers claims.

Personal Auto Liability--Provided under the Governmental Tort Claims Act and administered by SRMD. Statutory limits are the same as above. OU Legal Counsel administers claims.

Aircraft Liability--An insurance policy is purchased for the State of Oklahoma for owned and non-owned aircraft. This policy also insures hull damage for particular aircraft as designated by OU. OU Legal Counsel administers claims.

Out-of-State & Foreign Liability--An insurance policy to protect against judgments awarded for actions occurring outside the State of Oklahoma. OU Legal Counsel administers claims.

On any given day, OU employees can be found in other states and around the world in the performance of their duties, so it is important to note that this policy does not provide coverage in specified countries. A good rule of thumb to follow for university-sponsored travel programs and foreign operations is the U.S. State Department’s restrictions for travel for U.S. citizens, which may mirror the insurance carrier’s exclusions.

Special Events Liability--Tort negligence for university-sponsored activities is covered by the Governmental Tort Claims Act. Liability for student-sponsored activities and for the activities of others who use our facilities should be provided by those same parties. Please note that outside parties may purchase these types of insurance policies through local insurance agents in Norman or indemnify OU through a Certificate of Insurance on the owner’s existing General Liability Policy.

The University requires liability insurance for all special events held on OU property.  Event liability insurance protects OU.  This insurance does not take the place of recommended health insurance for individual participants that may be appropriate for these activities and required of organizations such as sports clubs.  Proof of liability insurance is required before a reservation of OU property can be confirmed.  These policies shall name the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma as additional insured.  To assist student organizations in obtaining insurance, Office of Enterprise Risk Management offers event insurance policies through their affiliate, Office of Enterprise Risk Management, and Insurance Association (URMIA).  The URMIA TULIP insurance policy has been created especially for groups using college or university facilities.  It is event specific.  Organizations wishing to purchase the TULIP program insurance or get a quote may access the company's website at https://ajgrms.com.  To access the brochure on the URMIA TULIP program please refer to Forms & Documents by clinking on the menu link to the left.

Professional Liability--Educators Legal Liability/Directors & Officers/Errors & Omissions--The Governmental Tort Claims Act of 1985 does not cover actions brought pursuant to federal statutes, such as EEOC and discrimination lawsuits. Therefore, an insurance policy covering the directors and officers, and all other state agency employees, is purchased by SRMD. Claims are strictly reported and administered by OU Legal Counsel.

Medical Malpractice--Because of limitations under the Governmental Tort Claims Act specifically related to physicians, physician malpractice claims are administered under a separate insurance policy. OU Legal Counsel administers these claims.

Property Coverage--State of Oklahoma Property Insurance Program--This mandated program was begun by SRMD in 1990, with the State acting as the insurer. SRMD purchases a reinsurance policy from several insurance carriers, with different tiers of retention levels.

It is important to note that each building carries a maximum amount of insurance for the structure and its contents, per the replacement cost values reported by OU. Premiums are charged by SRMD, and various accounts pay the applicable premiums based upon the facility use of the property (such as E&G, academic, auxiliary, etc.). Losses are adjusted by SRMD as the primary insurer, with the other insurance carriers involved as retention levels are reached. Documentation for reimbursement of losses is extensive.

There is a $750,000 Per Occurrence deductible for the Norman Campus. The policy contains industry standard exclusions and specific stop loss levels for certain coverage’s, such as fine arts.

Commercial Crime Insurance--A policy has been purchased by OU through the University insurance representative to cover theft or robbery of monies and securities.

Fine Arts Insurance--The OU Museum of Art and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History have purchased fine arts insurance policies to cover specific pieces or collections of fine arts or museum specimens that are located in OU facilities or travel to outside facilities.

Surety Bonds--OU purchases two surety bonds through the University insurance representative, as required by the U.S. Postal Service to operate the post offices in Adams Center and the Oklahoma Memorial Union. Premiums are paid by the departments.

Employee Dishonesty Bond--Administered by State of Oklahoma Risk Management Division under Oklahoma Statute.

Supplemental Insurance Policy--The most common type of coverage is electronic equipment coverage, to insure departmental computers and office equipment. This policy offers various deductibles ranging from $500 and up and are paid by departmental funds.

Worker’s Compensation Insurance & Excess Coverage--Since 1995, OU has been self-insured for workers’ compensation and the claims program is administered by a third-party administrator.

The University purchases excess Workers' Compensation coverage for claims that exceed the self-insured retention of $450,000.

Employee Benefits--The Office of Human Resources, Benefits Office, is responsible for the purchase of employee benefits policies, including such coverages as health insurance, life insurance, long-term care, and accidental death and dismemberment.

Student Athlete Insurance--An insurance policy is purchased by the OU Athletic Department for student athletes’ and cheerleaders’ catastrophic injuries during participation in Athletic Department sports programs, as mandated by the NCAA and Big 12 Conference. Claims are administered by the Athletic Department, and the premium is paid by Athletics.

Camps & Clinics Insurance--Camps and clinics which are operated by outside parties in OU facilities are required to provide proof of liability insurance and to name OU as a certificate holder under their policies. Camps and clinics, which are operated by OU, purchase a basic accident/illness insurance policy from various vendors, and OU camp/clinic participants are required to sign a waiver before participating in activities.

Student Health Insurance on the Norman Campus--OU Human Resources purchases a health insurance policy on behalf of the UOSA through an open bid process, and premiums are paid by the enrolled students. There is mandatory enrollment for international students, unless they can provide proof of coverage through their home countries. This program is administered by the Office of Human Resources, Benefits Office, and claims are coordinated through Macori, Inc.

Child Care Centers--An accident and illness insurance policy is purchased by the Institute of Child Development of the College of Education for the participants in their children’s program. The premium is paid for by the College. All other childcare centers in OU facilities are operated by outside parties and OU is named as an additional insured under their liability insurance policies.