General Liability

The University of Texas at San Antonio does not maintain a general liability insurance policy, as it is the stated policy of the State to be self-insured. However, employees of the University are afforded partial protection in this regard under Section 101 and 104 of the Civil Practices and Remedies Code. Defense for most acts committed in the performance of one's official duties and responsibilities are covered in part under this Code and are eligible for legal representation by the State Attorney General's office.

Specific circumstances which may effect the personal liability of employees of The University of Texas at San Antonio:

Employees of the University should be aware that they assume a certain degree of liability whenever they use their personal automobile in the performance of their assigned duties. Even though the University has provided special coverage for certain usage, the employee still remains primarily responsible for any mishaps with the University's coverage being that of a secondary nature. Careful consideration should be given to this situation when acquiring insurance for one's personal vehicle.

Residents of official University residences should also be aware of the personal liability they incur by virtue of their occupancy. It is suggested that applicable individuals purchase a personal liability policy in an amount of at least $1,000,000 to protect their personal assets while occupying such residences. The University is protected under the provisions of Section 101 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code for such liability. Section 101 and 104 also provide some protection to the employee, but the compensation factors contained in the Code are insufficient to provide adequate coverage.

Faculty members should also be aware of the many hazards they may encounter, not only in the classroom, but also on field trips, laboratory experiments, etc. Section 104 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code also provides a level of protection in these circumstances, but again, the compensation factors are inadequate.