To notify or not to notify?

We all try our best to avoid mishaps, but even then things can go wrong despite our best efforts. Notifying adverse events as they occur is key when it comes managing insurance.

To get the benefit of the insurance cover the University purchases, the University must comply with an ongoing "duty of disclosure" to its insurers. This duty requires the University to notify the insurer of every known fact, circumstance or event (i.e. 'notifiable event') that may result in a claim as soon as it happens.

Notifiable events could be words in an email, a conversation, misrepresentation in a brochure, suspected fraud or threat of legal action.

Who needs to report?

It’s everyone’s responsibility under the University’s Insurance Program Policy to report notifiable events. This includes staff, students, titleholders, volunteers, visitors, contractors and Controlled Entities.

How do I report a Notifiable Event?

To report a notifiable event, complete the Notifiable Event Summary and Risk Assessment Form and email to the Legal and Risk Branch as soon as possible after it happens, and before the end of the policy year in which they occur. Anything not declared by 31 December when the insurance policy rolls over may not be covered.

What if I don’t report?

Failure to report a notifiable event to the insurer in a timely manner places the University at risk of not being covered by insurance that it has paid for, and may result in:

  • The University being under-insured or not insured for a specific activity
  • Denial of a future claim
  • Financial consequences for local areas as the University is forced to wear the loss

If in doubt – notify! It’s better to over-notify than miss one event and be uninsured in the event of a claim.

Information on notifiable events can be found on the Insurance website.

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