2. Insurance
  3. Liability Insurance

Liability Insurance

The State of North Carolina claims sovereign immunity. Therefore, General Liability protects the University and its employees for claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury to others where the University is determined to be negligent, typically through the Tort Claims process. These claims must relate to University employees acting within the scope of University duties and performing University business. This protection does not extend to intentional or illegal acts.

Excess Liability Insurance is provided for University employees through a private insurance company for losses resulting in bodily injury and property damage due to wrongful acts committed by University employees in the performance of their job.  Independent contractors are not covered.

The policy is written on an occurrence basis and follows the Defense of State Employees Act. The Defense of State Employees Act (NCGS Article 31, Chapter 143) provides coverage up to a certain amount per claimant for damages awarded in lawsuits or settlements against State employees. The Excess Liability policy pays claims against University employees that are defended by the DOJ under the Defense of State Employees Act (G.S. 143-300.4) and exceed the limit under the Defense of State Employees Act.

App State Certificate of Coverage – If you require specific adjustments to a certificate of coverage, request a certificate of insurance.

The Excess Liability policy is not designed to replace insurable coverage that is better provided for under other types of insurance policies. The Office of Enterprise Risk Management acquires the following liability coverage to protect the University and University employees while in the performance of their job:

  • Workers’ Compensation*
  • Auto Liability
  • Medical/Professional Liability
  • Cyber Liability
  • Student Intern Liability

*While our Office maintains the University’s Workers’ Compensation policy, we do not handle Workers’ Compensation claims. The Leave Management Administrator in the Office of Human Resources is the University’s main representative for Workers’ Compensation. For more on filing Workers’ Compensation claims, please visit the Office of Human Resources website.

Questions about Liability Insurance

As a University employee, am I covered for liability that might result from my actions while doing my job?

University employees have significant protection for acts or omissions that happen in the performance of their employment as defined by the Defense of State Employees Act (NCGS § 143-300.3) and the excess liability insurance policy. The State may refuse to provide defense in rare circumstances, which may include, but are not limited to, those laid out in NCGS § 143-300.4.

I work for the University but am not a full time employee, am I covered for liability that might result from my actions while doing my job?

If you are receiving compensation from the University, you are entitled to most of the coverages that any other employee has with some limitations. These coverages include liability coverage through the State Tort Claims Act / Defense of State Employees Act, excess liability, and workers’ compensation.

This applies to non-student temporary, student employees, and part-time employees working for the University.

TULIP – Tenant User Liability Insurance

TULIP provides coverage for special event liability and is used by entities that allow third parties to use their facilities for specific events. It is event-specific and offered at a low cost.

I am an App State department in need of TULIP coverage to utilize a third-party venue

The App State department must lead the process and use its own funds to purchase the TULIP policy.

We recommend purchasing TULIP coverage through URMIA if possible. However, third-party venues that are to be utilized by an App State department may direct App State toward a specific carrier to purchase TULIP coverage from.

General instructions for purchasing TULIP coverage through URMIA:

  1. Go to the URMIA TULIP website
  2. Click the Quick Quote tab (in the top right corner)
  3. Fill out the form
  4. Purchase coverage
  5. Email the ERM office a copy of the binder/certificate verifying the event coverage

I am a Third-Party Venue in need of TULIP coverage to utilize an App State Venue

  1. Go to the URMIA TULIP website
  2. Click the Quick Quote tab (in the top right corner)
  3. Fill out the form
    1. Select North Carolina from the dropdown list
    2. Select Appalachian State University
  4. Purchase coverage

Once purchased, you and Appalachian State University will automatically be sent a certificate/binder of coverage via email.