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Vehicle Use Requirements
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Vehicle Use Requirements
This document is designed to communicate the University's procedure regarding the use of University owned and rented vehicles on University business.

Please contact the Risk Management Department for additional information, questions, and clarifications.

Short-Term Rental Vehicles

Vehicles leased on a short-term basis from a rental agency (e.g. Budget, Avis, etc.) should be rented under the name of the University. The rental agency may require the driver's name to be on the form. In this case, write "PITT/ (driver's name)."

The University maintains full liability insurance coverage for accidents and losses occurring in the United States of America, territories and possessions of the United States of America, Puerto Rico and Canada. It is not necessary to purchase any liability insurance offered by the rental agency when renting vehicles . The University also maintains physical damage (comprehensive and collision) insurance coverage for leased vehicles valued at $40,000 or less. The Office of Risk Management must be notified if the rented vehicle is valued at more than $40,000. Departments are responsible for the reimbursement of the physical damage deductibles, e,g. $250 collision and $100 comprehensive, in the event of an accident.

University insurance is only available on vehicles rented for approved University functions/business.

Personal Vehicles Used On University Business

Use of personal vehicles on business is discouraged because there is no physical damage coverage through the University on personal vehicles and no reimbursement will be made for accident-related repairs.

When using a personal vehicle on University business, the owner of the vehicle must carry automobile liability insurance. The owner's automobile liability insurance coverage is primary coverage.

There is no physical damage coverage through the University on a personal vehicle. The employee is responsible for the deductible portion of the personal collision coverage and is responsible for any increased personal automobile insurance premiums as a result of the accident.

The owner's automobile liability insurance card received from their insurance agent needs to be in the driver's possession when using personal vehicles for University business.

International Vehicle Use

Departments renting or leasing vehicles for University business in any country other than the United States, Canada, the territories and possessions of the United States, and Puerto Rico are to purchase insurance offered by the rental or lease agent in that country.

Driving In Mexico And Canada
The driver of a rented automobile on University business involved in an accident shall immediately, by the quickest means of communication, give notice to the nearest police department if the accident involves:

  • MEXICO: Before driving in Mexico with a University vehicle, it is required that the department contact the Office of Risk Management two weeks prior to departure. Drivers who are using rented or personal vehicles in Mexico on official University business must obtain adequate automobile liability and physical damage coverage while in Mexico.

    Travel into Mexico also requires that drivers have proof of vehicle ownership. Please confirm that the University vehicle you are using has a copy of the vehicle registration card in the vehicle's glove compartment before departure. Drivers should contact the Motor Pool Department for a replacement card if no card is found in the vehicle.

  • CANADA: When driving a University vehicle in Canada, a Canadian Liability Card must be carried in the car at all times. Although full liability coverage exists while in Canada, these cards provide the necessary proof of insurance as required by Canadian officials. These cards may be obtained from the Office of Risk Management.

Drivers From Other Countries

Drivers from other countries can only be approved to drive University-owned, leased, or rented vehicles if they speak and read the English language, have a valid operator's license or a valid international driving permit for a period not to exceed one year from the date of arrival.

This permit or license must be carried, by the driver, at all times when driving a University-owned, leased, or rented vehicle. Drivers from other countries are subject to an insurability check by the Office of Risk Management.

Automobile Financial Responsibility Insurance Identification Cards

All University-owned vehicles must carry an automobile financial responsibility insurance identification card, which indicates proof of insurance. This card should be in the vehicle's glove compartment. If renting a vehicle, check to see if the ID card is there. Please contact the Office of Risk Management to obtain insurance cards.

Copyright© 2003 - Financial Information Systems
Updated: 7/1/2003

 

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