Liability and property

• Insurance provider:  Zurich Municipal Insurance
• Policy number: NHE-17CA01-0013
• Limit of indemnity: £35 million any one occurrence; inclusive of all costs

Insurances are renewed annually on 1 August and standard exclusions apply. The policies cover claims by the University for damage to its property. They also cover claims against the University by employees or third parties for injury, damage or financial loss which they allege was caused by the University’s negligence.

Employers liability covers the University’s legal liability (i.e. where it is at fault) for injury, illness or disease suffered by employees which arises out of, and in the course of, their employment with the University. The limit of indemnity is £35m.

An employee is any person under a contract of service with the University, or any person providing their services to the University in a quasi-employee role. This would include postgraduate students, those on secondment, visiting or honorary staff, those on work experience or similar schemes, and others working under the direction or control of the university and working on University business.

Professional indemnity insurance covers liability at law for damages and claimant's costs and expenses arising out of the University's activities.

Loan, hire or removal of property

Property hired or borrowed for which the University has accepted responsibility is insured under the University Public Liability Policy for its full replacement value. The sum insured is based principally on the University computerised inventory.

Any equipment being hired which exceeds £100,000 for any one item should be notified to the Insurance Office.

Contents insurance in residences

All residents in campus accommodation and University-managed properties have content insurance inside their room included in their rent. Visit the accommodation contents insurance page for further information.

You must not assume that the University insurance will apply to your project until it has been confirmed to you in writing, or email, by Research Enterprise Support (RES) and/or the Research Integrity and Governance Office (RIGO) who will also establish who is acting as sponsor.

Liability clauses on research contracts can sometimes be complex and it is important you provide for a reasonable lead time for RES and the Insurance Officer to review.

It is extremely important that appropriate insurance is in place for each research project undertaken. 

If a particular research project does not immediately fit this guidance, or falls outside any underwriting parameters such as exclusion clauses, then it should be referred to underwriters via the Insurance Office.

Full details on ethics submissions guidance is on the RES website (only available to PGR students, requires log-in).