Insurance FAQs
Contracts and Agreements
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We have been asked to sign a contract that has a 'Hold Harmless' indemnity clause. Can we sign this?
NO! DO NOT聽sign any contract that has a hold harmless clause, as the University insurer will not support the University in the event of a claim. By accepting the hold harmless clause the University has given up its right to indemnity under an insurance policy. Please see the Hold Harmless page for more information.
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My School is entering into a contract with the ABC Company Pty Ltd to provide consulting services. They are asking for indemnity from the University. Can we sign this?
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We have contracted to have a building painted by the ABC painting company. Do we need to have the contractor provide us with proof of Professional Indemnity insurance?
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We have contracted with an architectural firm to design a new building. Do we need to have them provide Professional Indemnity insurance and if so how much?
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Does the University provide insurance for external specialist veterinarians?
Cover can be arranged on an individual basis. To request an extension of the University's insurance to cover external specialist veterinarians, please use the Checklist and Application for Engaging External Specialist Veterinarians.
Student Field Trips, Work Experience and Internships
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Our students are going on a field trip. Are they covered by University insurance?
Students are covered under the University insurance program for Public Liability should their actions or lack of action result in a loss or damage to a third party.听
They are also covered by the Student Personal Accident Policy in the event of suffering a personal injury.听Please note the policy only provides for non-Medicare related out of pocket medical expenses. More information
Students going on a field trip greater than 100km from Adelaide are also covered by the University's travel insurance policy. More information -
Our students are going on a field trip and will be driving University vehicles. Are they covered by University insurance?
Yes, provided聽the student holds a current driving licence and the use of the vehicle has been approved by the Head of School or Business Manager. The excess under the University's Motor Vehicle policy is $2,000, which is paid by the School in the event of a claim.
There is a Motor Vehicle Accident Claim Procedure Guide located in the glovebox of all University vehicles. The Guide has instructions about what to do if you are involved in an accident, and details about how to make a claim. -
I am a student of the University. I want to undertake work experience with the ABC Company during the semester break. The ABC Company has asked me for proof of Public Liability. Will the University insure me?
The University provides insurance for students undertaking work experience as part of their course of study and on occasion, when the work experience is not part of their course of study, but is closely related to their course of study.
Template agreements for placements which are required as part of a student鈥檚 course of study, and for voluntary placements which are not a course requirement but relate to the student鈥檚 area of study and future career prospects are available here.听
The Guides set out the obligations of the student, the University and the host organisation and the insurances required by each party. -
I am an International Student and with the support of my School, I am going to start an internship with the ABC Company. The company has asked for proof that I have Personal Accident insurance.
As an international student you have the health insurance purchased to meet your visa requirements and you are also provided with the University student Personal Accident insurance. The Personal Accident insurance does not provide insurance for any Medicare-related expenses or your International Student health insurance program.
Off-campus activities
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We are holding an event in the Parklands and the Council has asked for proof of insurance. How can I get one?
An insurance certificate is available as proof of insurance and can be requested via the Insurance Office聽to provide to the Council. Please provide聽details about the event with your request.
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The School is hosting an international conference that is being held at a resort in Victor Harbour. Are we covered for Public Liability?
Yes - Provided that you advise the Insurance Office聽in advance of the conference so that we are able to inform the University insurers.听
Purchasing or sending equipment or material
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We are shipping materials to the USA. Is this covered by insurance?
Yes 鈥 This is covered under the Marine Cargo policy. Insurance is automatic and there are no forms to be filled out. If the value is greater than $10,000, inform聽the Insurance Office聽in advance so that the insurer can be advised of the shipment, as they may require that an inspection of the packaging and method of shipping be undertaken. You should also ensure that any licence or permit requirements associated with export are met. If you are in doubt and require further guidance, contact聽the the Insurance Office.听
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We have purchased high value equipment in Germany that is going to be shipped to the University. Do we have insurance for this?
There are two ways that this equipment can be insured.
- The manufacturer can insure the shipment on a Free into Store basis. This is the best approach and聽the preferred option as the manufacturer will take more responsibility for the packaging and method of shipment.
- The other option is for the University to insure the equipment under its Marine Transit policy. This requires advance notice of the shipping to聽Legal and Risk聽so that the insurer can be advised. Depending upon the value of the shipment, an additional premium may be charged which will be the responsibility of the School to pay. The insurer may also require that an inspection by a Marine Surveyor be undertaken to ensure that the equipment is correctly packed and is shipped in a manner that will not cause damage. This option will incur additional costs for the School.
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I will be hiring a vehicle while on University approved travel. Do I need to purchase excess cover from the vehicle hire company?
It is common in some overseas countries for vehicle hire companies to offer a cheap hire rate with optional 鈥渓oss damage鈥 or 鈥渃ollision damage鈥 waivers.
A loss or collision damage waiver is an agreement with a car rental company which releases the renter from liability for physical damage to the vehicle in exchange for a fee, subject to the terms of the rental agreement or a聽state statute if one exists (i.e. the USA).
The waiver is not insurance. It is a contractual obligation subject to many restrictions (e.g reckless driving, driving under the influence). In some contracts, the renter has a choice to buy a full or partial damage waiver. The rental agreement typically stipulates that purchasing the damage waiver is not mandatory.
The University recommends that you buy a full waiver to ensure that (subject to any exceptions set out in the hire聽agreement) damage to the vehicle will be capped at an agreed price. Without this loss or collision waiver, if you聽damage the vehicle, you may be liable for the full value of the damage/vehicle.
If you have an accident, the first $5,000 of the loss or collision damage waiver excess will be covered by the University鈥檚 travel insurer.
Motor vehicles
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I am in the School of Rocket Science. One of our vehicles has been damaged and will cost $1500 to repair. Do we have to report it to the insurance company?
As long as there is no third party involved to claim against the University, it is not necessary to report聽the damage聽to the insurance company聽as the cost to repair is聽less than聽$2,000. The School can arrange for repair of the vehicle and is responsible for all payment associated with the repairs. If there is a third party involved then the claim must be reported to the insurer regardless of the cost of repair.
Research
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I am undertaking a research project that requires Human Ethics approval. I am using the Royal Adelaide Hospital Human Ethics Committee and they have asked for proof of insurance. How do I get this?
Certificates of insurance for human research projects and clinical trials may be downloaded by University personnel from聽Insurance Guides and Certificates.
Please note the following pre-conditions to cover apply:
- Human research must be either approved by the University's Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) or an HREC approved by the University
- Human research ethics approvals granted by other institutional HRECs must be notified to the University using the notification process set out on the聽Office of Research Ethics, Compliance and Integrity听飞别产蝉颈迟别.
For further information, refer to the Human Research Projects and Clinical Trials Insurance resources.