Coverage
The UC self-insured program was established in 1986 to provide broad coverage for the University's legal or “tort” liability arising from University activities. The intent of this program is to provide protection for mistakes (or “negligence”) by UCSF employees resulting in personal or bodily injury or damage to third parties. Coverage is applicable worldwide and may arise from how elevators are maintained, how employees conduct duties, or how they operate University-owned vehicles or equipment. The program covers three areas: General Liability, Auto Liability, and Employment Practices Liability. Details are available in Business and Finance Bulletin BUS-81.
Coverage applies to all University departments and auxiliary enterprises, officers, agents, and employees (including registered volunteers). It also extends to students enrolled in formal training programs when acting within the course and scope of their studies.
Premiums
The "GAEL" (General, Auto, and Employment Liability) fund supports the UC self-insurance programs through annual assessments by campus, based on expected claim payouts. These rates are set by the Office of the President and are based on actuarial analysis of claims history by campus. UCSF’s Budget Office converts the campus-wide assessment into a payroll-based rate per $100 of salary, which is charged to departments. UCSF’s GAEL rate reflects the projected annual claims cost. For details, visit Budget & Resource Management – Operating Budget.
GL and EPL Claims
When claims are filed against the University, Risk Advisory and Insurance Services (RAIS) and the University's third-party administrator (TPA) investigate. Legal fees and related costs are covered by the program. Incidents should be reported promptly to appropriate campus authorities (police, fire, etc.) and to RAIS.
RAIS prepares claim reports based on inputs from accident victims or departmental contacts and forwards them to the TPA. The TPA, currently Sedgwick CMS, investigates to determine University liability and claim value. Sedgwick may contact University staff during this process. Please cooperate fully.
If you receive inquiries from Sedgwick or from outside parties (e.g., attorneys, claimants), contact RAIS immediately.
For more information on General or Employment Practices Liability, contact John Toal.
Loss Control
UCSF’s strong safety culture plays a key role in reducing general liability claims. To support this effort:
- Report unsafe conditions promptly (e.g., cracked walkways) to facilities or your building manager.
- Review operations to ensure proper supervision, staff understanding of the UCSF Code of Conduct, and adherence to safety procedures.
- If a visitor reports an injury, ask if they require assistance, refer them to UCSF Emergency, and call 911 if necessary. Regardless of treatment, report the incident immediately.