INSURANCE GUIDE for RUG students (including doctoral students)
University of Ghent
University of Ghent Details
What insurance has been taken out for RUG students?
The RUG has taken out two insurance policies on behalf of legitimately registered RUG students:
- a policy for "personal physical accidents of students" (covering cases where students themselves became victims of a personal physical accident within the framework of university activities or while on their way to or from university activities, including the activities of recognised student societies of the RUG)
- a policy for "general civil liability" (covering cases where students cause damage to third parties while engaged in university activities, not on their way to or from university activities; however, this policy does not cover the activities of student societies).
The RUG pays the premiums charged.
The complete set of policy terms and conditions can be obtained from Mrs. M. Jaxx (tel. 09/264.30.42) or Mrs. D. Duprez (tel. 09/264.30.44). at the Legal Department.
What must a student prove to benefit from the insurance?
When reporting a case of damage students must be able to prove:
- that they are legally registered at the RUG (e.g. copy of student card);
- that the accident occurred during university activities.
What are university activities?
University activities are all activities both in Belgium as well as abroad which refer to university life or are related to it, inter alia including practical training and visits to various institutions or companies including other teaching and research institutions, also abroad; in this regard all vehicles which are validly licensed to carry passengers on land, sea or in the air, may be used. Activities of student societies are not covered by the public liability policy. Activities of RUG recognised student societies are covered in the policy "personal physical accidents of students"
Duty to report university activities with students outside RUG buildings to the Legal Department in advance.
Students who want to attend particular practical training or an activity in the framework of their studies must in principle obtain the Rector's agreement for these activities in advance via the Chairman of the Department involved (accompanied by his advice in this regard) in order to avoid disputes with the insurer about "university activities".
How to report a case of damage which comes under the "general civil liabilities" policy?
When a third party (e.g. a company where practical training is done) holds a student liable for damage he suffered at the hands of a student in the framework of a university activity (e.g. practical training), the student must hand the letter of demand from the third party accompanied by a damage report form to the Legal Department who, in turn, will forward the damage report form and letter to OMOB, the insurer.
Damage report forms are always obtainable from the Legal Department' Mrs. M. Jaxx (tel. 264.30.42) or Mrs D. Duprez (tel. 264.30.44).
In principle the accident must be reported via the Legal Department to OMOB within five days (unless the report could not reasonably have been done earlier).
The "civil liability policy does have a contribution of 5,000F which is payable by the insured, which in fact means that the insurer is never liable to payment of the initial amount of 5,000F.
How to report a case of damage which comes under the "personal physical accidents of students" policy?
Cases of damage which come under the "personal physical accidents of students" policy must be reported to OMOB directly (351 F.D. Rooseveltlaan - 9000 Gent) and not to the Legal Department. The student may elect whether to make a written report (on a form which can be obtained from OMOB and the Legal Department) or an electronic report of an accident.
The medical report, which was completed and signed by the doctor must in any event be sent to OMOB by ordinary post (i.e. not electronically).
You first have to pay the medical fees, etc. yourself and subsequently approach your medical aid fund who will take responsibility for part of it and finally you must submit the original discharge of your medical aid fund to OMOB.
You can approach the Legal Department not only for a report form, but also for information on a dossier, since the Legal Department has direct electronic access to most (non-confidential) OMOB information concerning RUG student accidents.
What supplementary insurance is recommended for RUG students travelling abroad for their studies?
Although RUG students are already insured by the "personal physical accidents of students" and the "general civil liability" insurance, the Legal Department of the RUG would like to bring to their attention one or more supplementary insurance policies that may be to their advantage should they travel abroad for study purposes:
- Civil liability private life
This is the so-called "family insurance": for activities during the private time of their stay abroad, weekends, evenings, e.g. for damage caused as pedestrian or cyclist to third parties in traffic, damage caused to third parties whilst relaxing? for this insurance the student must approach an insurer of his choice; - Repatriation
For this insurance the student can approach an insurer of his choice; the student can also register under the collective policy that was taken out via the Legal Department with OMOB. However, the student must pay the premium himself (see appendix 1): in fact this insurance does not cover only repatriation, but also the costs for travelling medical treatment up to a max of 50,000F + max 600,000F medical expenses in hospital; - International Health Plan
For this insurance the student can approach an insurer of his choice; the student can also register under the collective policy which is taken out via the Legal Department with AIG Europe. However, the student must pay the premium himself this collective policy of the RUG does not only cover "repatriation" and "civil liability private life', but also baggage theft, medical expenses to a max of 5,000,000F (with a max of 30,000F without hospitalisation and 100% of the expenses in case of hospitalisation, but with a contribution of 5,000F to be paid by the insured) in case of illness or physical accidents at all times, therefore also outside university activities, legal assistance, criminal bail, etc. see appendix 2 for more details.
The complete set of policy terms & conditions can be obtained (in dutch) from the Legal Services: verzekeringen@rug.ac.be
