Liability Coverage

This guide describes the UW-Madison liability coverage for employees, officers, and agents.

The University is protected for liability arising out of the negligent actions of its employees, agents and officers through the State of Wisconsin Self-Funded Liability Program (SSLP). The State’s liability protection is administered by the Department of Administration under State Statutes 893.82 and 895.46 and extends to all employees and agents (including volunteers) operating within the scope of their employment or agency. The State’s Self-funded Liability Program provides coverage against claims made as the result of the negligent acts of University officers, employees and agents. Negligence may be defined as the failure to act as a reasonable person would have under the same or similar circumstances. In order for a claim to exist, the negligence must have caused property damage or injury to a person.

The program provides coverage for University employees, agents (e.g. volunteers) and officers while acting within scope of employment or agency. In order for coverage to exist, negligence must be proven on the part of a University agent, employee, or officer. The self-funded program provides broad coverages to respond to claims in areas such as general liability, auto, civil rights, employment practices, environmental, medical malpractice, professional liability/ errors and omissions.

Wisconsin. Statutes, s. 895.46 provides for the payment of judgments taken against these State officers, employees and agents. Wis. Stats., s. 893.82 establishes claim procedures and sets time requirements for filing a notice of claim against a State officer, employee or agent.

Wisconsin State Statutes 893.82 (6), limits the amount recoverable to $250,000 per claimant per negligent State officer, employee and/or agent involved. However, certain claims (Civil Rights, Employment Practices, and Environmental Liability) and claims from out of state actions are not subject to this statute. The State of WI Department of Justice provides for legal representation to UW-Madison employees and agents in these cases.

In an effort to reduce the State’s exposure to catastrophic loss, State of WI Department of Administration Bureau of State Risk Management may purchase some commercial general liability insurance in an effort to reduce the State’s exposure to catastrophic loss.

The DOA Bureau of Risk Management assesses an annual premium to all State agencies to fund the self-funded liability program. This includes the excess liability insurance.

UW–Madison works with DOA Bureau of Risk Management on investigation and response to claims. UW–Madison Risk Management, Legal Affairs, and other campus units are involved depending on the type of claim. The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) provides legal representation where necessary. Outside adjustors (Sentry Insurance) may be assigned as well.

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In addition to the self-funded coverage the following commercial insurance liability related products are purchased to cover gaps in the State Self-Funded and excess programs:

• Commercial Crime Insurance and Crime Pool
• Contractual Liability Program. Used to satisfy particular contracts that have indemnification requests from external parties that we are not allowed to agree per state statute. Per contract charge of approximately $1800 annually. Charged back to applicable department contracting for the service.
• Commercial aviation (to provide aviation liability coverage that is otherwise excluded in our excess coverage). Premium per aircraft.  Annual premiums paid by requesting campus unit.
• Pollution Legal Liability Policy. Environmental coverage.
• Cheerleaders, Dance Teams and Mascots Catastrophic Accident Policy. Charged back to specific department.
• Nuclear Energy Liability Insurance

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