RISK MANAGEMENT BULLETIN

  STATE OWNED “RECREATIONAL TYPE” VEHICLES                            

The State owns a number of snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles and motorcycles.  We would like to remind agencies and employees that, like the State’s other vehicles, these are insured solely for the purpose of fulfilling the State’s mission.  The State is liable for its negligent acts or omissions in its ownership, maintenance or use of these vehicles.  Risk Management Division provides self insurance for this liability subject to the following criteria:

Each September, agencies must provide Risk Management with a count of recreational type vehicles at the time the State’s vehicle liability insurance is renewed.  If these are not reported to us and a premium is not charged, there is no insurance coverage through our office.

Our insurance agreement defends and indemnifies employees against claims arising out of acts or omissions within the course and scope of employment.  It is important for agencies and employees to understand that we are not required to defend and indemnify an employee if the use of the vehicle is not within the course and scope of employment.

Risk Management recommends use be restricted to State employees only. As with all other state-owned vehicles, agencies desiring authorization for non state employees to be insured, must meet certain criteria: 

•	The driver must be at least 18 years of age, 
•	Valid license and good driving record. 
•	The vehicle is used for a State purpose only, the department grants permission for this usage.
•	A Vehicle Use Agreement is completed and approved by Risk Management.

The nature of these vehicles may tempt an employee or his family to use them for personal and/or pleasure use.  Agencies need to discourage this, for the employee and the State’s protection.  Our recommendations to control your liability loss exposure related to these vehicles are:

•	Report the recreational vehicles to us
	
•	Restrict usage to State business

•	Restrict operation to departmental approved drivers only

•	Restrict passengers to necessary passengers only

**Please copy and distribute this bulletin to your employees
that operate your department’s recreational type vehicles.**

Call our office if you have any question.