Skip to main content
Risk Management & Insurance

Vehicle & Rentals

  1. Home
  2. Risk Management & Insurance
  3. Driver's Program
  4. Vehicle & Rentals

At a glance summary:

  • University vehicle → SCU coverage
     • Rental (U.S.) → Decline coverage
     • Personal vehicle → Your insurance is primary

Santa Clara University maintains auto liability and physical damage coverage for University-owned vehicles operated by authorized drivers acting within the scope of University business.

Coverage includes:

  • Liability protection for authorized drivers acting within the scope of University business
  • Physical damage to the University vehicle

SCU is self-insured up to $350,000 and excess insurance applies beyond that amount.

Certificate of Self-Insurance

SCU’s Certificate of Self-Insurance serves as official proof of financial responsibility and replaces a traditional insurance card.

  • A copy must be kept in the glove compartment of all University-owned vehicles.
  • It should be presented during traffic stops or following an accident.

Certificate of Self-Insurance

U.S. & Canada

Authorized faculty and staff may rent vehicles for approved University business.

When renting domestically:

  • Decline the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW)
  • Decline supplemental liability insurance

SCU’s auto coverage applies to authorized rentals in the U.S. and Canada.

Guidelines:

  • Do not rent vehicles valued over $30,000
  • Inspect the vehicle before leaving the lot and document existing damage
  • Students may drive rentals only within the U.S. and Canada

International Rentals

  • Faculty and staff must purchase the full insurance package (liability and physical damage) directly from the rental agency.
  • Students are not permitted to drive rental vehicles outside the U.S. and Canada.

If you drive your personal vehicle for authorized University purposes:

  • Your personal auto insurance is primary
  • SCU’s coverage applies on an excess basis, consistent with policy terms
  • The University does not issue insurance cards for personal vehicles

Insurance follows the vehicle. Drivers must maintain personal auto insurance that meets California's minimum requirements.

Auto insurance follows the vehicle, meaning your personal policy serves as the primary coverage for any trip in your own car, whether for personal or university business. SCU’s insurance covers university-owned vehicles and general institutional liability, but it does not replace your individual policy. For authorized business travel, SCU provides excess liability protection only after your personal insurance limits are reached, a standard practice among large employers and universities nationwide.

For large groups, field trips, athletics travel, or community engagement activities, SCU strongly recommends the use of a licensed charter bus company with a professional driver.

SCU generally prohibits the rental or use of 12- or 15-passenger vans due to rollover risk and safety concerns.

Approved vendors include:

If you would like to use a different charter bus company, reach out to risk@scu.edu to help you conduct a risk assessment for approval. Ensure that the charter bus company has a USDOT number prior to contacting the Risk Office.