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UC DAVIS:VICE CHANCELLOR--ADMINISTRATION
 
August 13, 2002

DEANS, DIRECTORS, DEPARTMENT CHAIRS AND CAMPUS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS

RE: THE REGENTS INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR 2002-2003

I would like to advise you of the outcome of the insurance program renewal 
for July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003.  This was a very difficult renewal 
due to the continued hardening in the insurance market, which was further 
exacerbated by the events of September 11.  This year UC experienced a 107% 
overall increase in the commercial insurance program premiums.  The 
difficulty of this renewal was also reflected in decreased coverage 
capacity in the insurance market, more restrictive terms and conditions of 
coverage, reductions in coverage and higher self-insured retentions and 
deductibles.

Insurance underwriters are scrutinizing all accounts and are taking a 
closer look at the risk exposures and appropriate premium pricing and 
selection of risk they will cover.  Substantial increases in premiums are 
being seen throughout the insurance market and insurers are unwilling to 
negotiate or are declining to quote coverage if an accurate picture of the 
exposure cannot be provided.  Insurers continue to be affected by low 
investment returns, record high natural catastrophe losses, high loss cost 
trends, adverse development from prior year losses and restrictions in the 
reinsurance market.

Most lines of coverage have now excluded terrorism.  Offers to buy back 
terrorism coverage would be limited and at an extreme price.  Office of the 
President Senior Management decided not to purchase terrorism coverage for 
the University's excess property and liability programs given the costs and 
the level of risk for the University.

Given the bad news state of the insurance market, it's good news that UC 
Davis recognizes insurance is simply a way for the campus to finance 
post-loss costs. With the campus now bearing these costs of loss, the risk 
management process also offers pre-loss options to avoid, transfer (move 
risk to another party), hedge (leverage current activity against future 
requirements) or retain and manage (reduce risks through appropriate 
internal controls) the risks inherent in higher education.  With the 
following changes to the University's insurance program, I urge you to 
contact Deborah M. Luthi, Director, Risk Management Services for guidance 
in identifying the risks associated with your objectives and managing these 
risk in order to reduce or prevent property and liability losses, as well 
as enhancing educational and business opportunities.

Excess Property

While UC has maintained excellent loss experience for many years, during 
the 2001-02 year the University incurred two significant fire losses 
totaling approximately $14 million.  This along with the insurance market 
conditions, the property losses suffered by insurers from the September 11 
events, and reduction in market capacity made for an extremely difficult 
placement of insurance.   The renewal of the Excess Property resulted in a 
180% increase in premium from $2,500,000 to $7,020,000.  Due to the 
diminished market capacity and the substantial premium increase, it was 
necessary to reduce the policy limit.  The major program changes and some 
of the restrictions imposed include the following:

*Self-insured retention increased from $2.5 million to $5 million.

*Aggregate increased from $3.5 million to $15 million.

*Deductible for losses after the aggregate is eroded has increased from 
$100,000 to $1 million per occurrence.

*Policy limit reduced from $1.2 billion to $500 million.

*Business Interruption coverage has been eliminated.

*Fine Arts sublimit of $50 million.

Note:  This sublimit means coverage for Fine Arts under this policy will be 
limited to $50 million per occurrence.  One $50 million limit will apply to 
both scheduled (excess of $50 million underlying policy) and unscheduled 
(excess of $5 million SIR) fine arts.

*Policy territory is limited to within the U.S. and based on locations in 
statement of values provided to underwriters at inception.  Coverage is no 
longer extended to worldwide.

*Coverage for any newly acquired or constructed property may be subject to 
reporting requirements and a reporting threshold.  We are currently working 
with underwriters to define the reporting parameters.  This coverage is 
more restrictive compared to coverage in the past that afforded automatic 
coverage.

*Exclusions for Mold, Terrorism and Asbestos.

Miscellaneous Property

The Miscellaneous Property Program has been extended for 60 days and Office 
of the President Risk Management must market this program.  This policy 
covers direct damage on bond indentured properties, debt service, rental 
interruption, mortgage payments, and business interruption for 
bookstores.  Due to the two significant fire losses impacting this program, 
UC anticipates this will be a difficult program to place.  The program will 
be thoroughly reviewed and coverage will be secured for that which the 
University is legally obligated to do so.

Business Interruption for the bookstores was secured some time ago when the 
market was soft and underwriters were willing to include this coverage in 
the Miscellaneous Property policy.   As of September 1, 2002, this optional 
coverage for business interruption will cease.  However, the UC Davis 
bookstore previously chose not to purchase this coverage.

Excess Liability

The Excess General/Auto and Professional (Medical Malpractice) Liability 
was renewed at current policy limit of $275 million.  This program was 
renewed with 72% increase in premium from about $3 million to $5.2 
million.  The self-insured retention has increased from $5 million to $7.5 
million for each program.  The $5 million SIR has been in place since 
1989-90 for GL/AL and 1990-91 for Professional Liability.  The Underwriters 
had initially quoted the $7.5 million SIR for indemnity only and we were 
able to negotiate the SIR to include both indemnity and expense.  In 
addition, the aggregate on the self-insured retention has been 
eliminated.   The premium increase can be attributed to the market 
conditions as well as several medical malpractice carriers withdrawing from 
the market creating an increased demand, which drove the price upwards.

During the past few years the University has triggered insurance coverage 
above the $5M SIR and exceeded the aggregate loss thresholds included in 
the policies.  The University will collect approximately $8.5 million from 
the excess liability insurers.   In addition, there has been increased 
reporting of litigation that could potentially impact the Bermuda (XL and 
Ace) upper layers of insurance, such as class action cases involving mold, 
willed body, and medical malpractice.

Crime

Chubb (Executive Risk), the incumbent primary carrier, would not quote with 
less than a $1 million deductible and reduced their policy limit from $10 
million to $5 million.  There were no other carriers willing to quote on 
the primary layer.  To maintain the current $20 million in limits for 
employee dishonesty, the first $5 million was renewed with Chubb (Executive 
Risk), the second $5 million purchased through Kemper and another $10 
million with Zurich.  The premium for the $20 million in limits increased 
38% from $225,000 to $310,000.  Other options were to increase the 
deductible to $2 million or $2.5 million.  Since the campus/medical center 
is responsible for the entire deductible, it was critical to maintain the 
$1 million deductible.

Aviation

Aviation insurance was initially quoted with a 50% increase, which was 
negotiated down to a 38% premium increase from $94,039 to $129,089.  Ace 
USA continues to be the primary carrier, but due to their reduction in 
capacity Ace was only able to provide $50 million in limits and London is 
providing the additional $30 million for a total of $80 million in 
limits.  This includes War, Hi-Jack and other Perils coverage for the Owned 
and Non-Owned aircraft exposure.

Marine

UC renewed the primary $25 million Marine insurance through Navigators 
Insurance Company at a 3.8% increase in premium which includes the addition 
of a major vessel at UC Santa Barbara.  A terrorism exclusion was attached 
and Navigators will provide the limited buy back endorsement at no 
additional premium to the University.  The loss ratio has significantly 
decreased from 185% to 5% which is attributed to elimination of the 
"over-the-side equipment" coverage that Navigators provided in the first 
year.  The Excess Marine insurance was renewed with London Underwriters at 
a 26% increase in premium with a mandatory War and Terrorism exclusion 
attached.  All other terms and conditions are as expiring.

Boiler and Machinery

The Boiler and Machinery program was renewed with the current carrier, 
Zurich American Insurance Company with a 1.6% increase in premium due to 
increase in values.  Coverage was renewed at expiring limits, deductibles, 
and terms and conditions.  The campus/medical center continues to be 
responsible for the $100,000 deductible.

As a reminder: co-generation facilities must report business interruption 
values in order for this coverage to be effected.  If the values are not 
reported, there will be no business interruption coverage.

Fine Arts

The current Fine Arts carrier, American Zurich Insurance Company (London), 
continues to be the most favorable program for the University.  This is the 
second year of a three-year policy.  The premium, limits, deductibles, and 
terms and conditions remained the same.

Any questions on the above may be directed to Deborah M. Luthi, Director, 
Risk Management Services, at 2-6537 or dmluthi@ucdavis.edu.

Janet C. Hamilton
Vice Chancellor-Administration

02-105



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Modified: 12/14/2006 12:22:58 PM
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