Division of Business and Finance

The Office of Insurance and Risk Management maintains a "special property" inventory of all art and artifacts owned or borrowed by Brandeis University.

It is imperative that this list be accurate and complete with dates, value, and a clear description and current location of all articles. Any missing information may lead to uninsured losses.

Notify Bill Thomas of the relocation, purchase, sale or return of any article that is part of the special property inventory.

Brandeis University's automobile policy provides coverage for university employees and students while driving vehicles owned, leased or rented by the university.

The policy states that:

• Vehicles are to be used only by authorized employees and students possessing valid and applicable licenses (no international driver license).

• Operators must complete a vehicle use application (pdf) through the Department of Public Safety and a defensive-driving training class, if applicable, prior to approval.

• Use of vehicles is confined to university business.

• Transport of passengers, other than employees or affiliates, is prohibited.

Failure to adhere to these rules could result in uninsured losses and expenses.

• Guidelines for Employees
• Guidelines for Students

The investigation or settlement of claims against the university should not be undertaken by a department, college or other unit. If you become aware of a claim, or if someone presents a claim against the university, the claim should be referred to the Department of Insurance and Risk Management.

Under no circumstances should a department, college or other unit on any campus pay money to settle a claim without the express approval of Insurance and Risk Management and the Office of General Counsel.

Reporting Instructions

A certificate of insurance is a form listing the insurance coverages carried by an organization. It is issued by an insurance broker and contains the broker’s authorized signature. It certifies that the insurance policies listed on the certificate are actually carried by the organization at the time the certificate was issued.

Outside parties frequently ask Brandeis University to confirm various types of insurance in connection with business agreements, as well as practicum agreements with hospitals and schools. The Office of Risk Management is able to respond to these requests and can provide evidence of the university’s insurance coverage in the form of a Certificate of Insurance. Due to insurance carrier requirements, these requests must be made in writing with the proper supporting documentation (contract documents).

Please complete the Certificate of Insurance Request Form (pdf) and send, along with a copy of the contract or Agreement to the Office of Risk Management via email to Bill Thomas.

United Educators Insurance Company insures Brandeis University for our General Liability. General Liability claims are claims made against the university by a third party, which alleges negligence by the university that caused bodily injury or property damage on Brandeis University-owned property. All injuries or property damage/loss should be reported to the Public Safety who will forward the information to the Office of Risk Management.

Brandeis requires anyone coming on campus to conduct business (non-Brandeis employees), perform a service or who is renting space, to provide evidence of general liability coverage by providing a Certificate of Insurance. See Certificates of Insurance for specific requirements in doing business with Outside Vendors, Providers and Contractors. All vendors and contractors must submit Certificates of Insurance to the Procurement Services and anyone holding an outside event needs to submit a Certificate of Insurance to Conference and Events Services prior to conducting business.

All contractors, vendors, or other service providers wishing to conduct business with Brandeis University or provide other services are required to have their own insurance. This insurance is necessary to cover any claims or losses for which the contractor/vendor may be responsible. Brandeis University has various insurance requirements specific to the type of contractor or vendor. 

View insurance requirements

Brandeis University Property

Whenever Brandeis property is lost, damaged or stolen, it is the responsibility of the department/individual involved to contact Public Safety and file a police report.

Public Safety will forward the report to the Office of Risk Management, where the report will be reviewed. If the damage is over our deductible and determined to be a covered loss, a claim will be pursued.

Personal Property

Brandeis does not insure the personal property of its students, staff or faculty. Students living on campus should purchase their own renter's insurance if not covered under their parents' homeowners' policy.

• Group Travel Assistance information
• Travel Warning
• Health Risk Assessment

All individuals who are employed by Brandeis are covered by worker's compensation, which provides reimbursement to staff for medical expenses and/or wages lost as a result of injuries that occur in the course of conducting business at/for the university.

If you become injured while on the job, you should inform your supervisor of this situation as soon as possible. Your supervisor is responsible for filing a first report of injury with Office of Human Resources, who will then coordinate any insurance benefits resulting from your claim with you.

Please contact the Office of Human Resources if you have any questions regarding worker's compensation.

University Safety Policy

Brandeis is committed to protecting the integrity of the university's human, physical, and financial resources. We recognize our responsibility to manage our business in such a way that these resources are conserved and utilized effectively and safely. Accordingly, our policy is to:

• Furnish workplaces free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death, injury or illness.
• Comply with laws and regulations set forth pertaining to safety, environmental, health and fire safety.
• Recognize that Safety and Health issues are accepted as a high-priority of concern at Brandeis.
• Provide a professional safety department that acts as a resource to promote and support safety and health programs. Assist in employee training and interpretations of applicable codes.
• Hold every employee accountable for attending safety training as required and to comply with all safety policies and procedures as necessary.
• Develop and implement a Safety Procedures and Policies Manual outlining specific safety policies and procedures adopted at Brandeis.
• Monitor and audit safety training and policy development on an annual basis.