Washington State University
SAFETY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY
S35.36
New 2-06
Risk Management
335-6893
Public Safety
335-8548
Motor Pool
335-9085

Managing Motor Vehicle Losses

PDF link

OVERVIEW

Departments are to help manage vehicle accident losses by ensuring that insurance coverage has been obtained and accident report forms, claim forms, and procedures are on-hand prior to the use of any vehicle.

See 70.40 for vehicle definitions and procedures for licensing and titling.

INSURANCE COVERAGE

University-Owned Vehicles

Vehicle Accident Loss Reserve Fund

WSU maintains an internal self-insurance fund, the Vehicle Accident Loss Reserve Fund, for repair of all University-owned vehicles. Risk Management collects and deposits annual premiums submitted by departments into the fund. Money from the fund is used to pay for repairs to University vehicles damaged in accidents and the administrative costs of processing vehicle-related claims. The fund does not pay for vehicle damage which is a result of maintenance or related repairs, gross negligence, abuse, or neglect.

Premiums

Contact Risk Management for the current self-insurance premium cost rates.

Risk Management periodically reviews and adjusts the premium cost rates as required.

Rented Vehicles

Losses due to accidents involving rented vehicles should be covered under the terms of the Master State Vehicle Rental Agreement. See 95.12. This agreement provides for full coverage in the event of any loss or injury, including defense costs.

Personal Vehicles

When a personal vehicle is used on official WSU business, the vehicle owner's personal insurance policy is primary.

Prior to the date of travel, WSU drivers using personal vehicles for official business are to make certain that their personal insurance policies cover business travel situations. See 95.11.

Third Parties

Losses due to vehicle accidents involving WSU drivers and third parties may be covered by the state Self-Insurance Liability Program (SILP). The state SILP is a fund used for third party tort claims against state of Washington agencies.

ITEMS IN VEHICLE

Departments must maintain the following items in each vehicle's glove compartment:

Obtain the form (SF-137) from the Washington State Office of Financial Management website at:

http://www.ofm.wa.gov/

Select Risk Management, then
Select Agency Vehicles and Drivers, then
Select Select State Driver Accident Report (State Form 137)

Obtain the proof of liability from the Washington State Office of Financial Management website at:

http://www.ofm.wa.gov/

Select Risk Management, then
Select Agency Vehicles and Drivers, then
Select Proof of Liability Insurance.

Driving Program Sticker

A "WSU How's My Driving?" program sticker must be affixed to the left rear of each University vehicle.

ACCIDENT PROCEDURES

To report an accident involving a University vehicle, follow the procedures outlined in S35.30.

Route all accident claims and vehicle repairs through Risk Management; mail code 1045.

See the PDF master:
S35.36.3: Post-Accident Guidelines
Print as needed.