Employees
Any individual who drives a personal vehicle on College business or to/from a College activity is responsible for their own safety as well as the safety of any passengers. The College bears no responsibility for the operation or operating condition of personal vehicles and expects drivers of personal vehicles to comply with applicable local, state and federal laws.
It is recommended that employees who drive their personal vehicle on College business become Approved Fleet Drivers. If an employee drives their personal vehicle and carries other employees or students as passengers in the vehicle, they must become Approved Fleet Drivers. Driver status does not change any other terms of this section.
The owner of the vehicle must carry at least the minimum automobile liability limits required by state law. The owner’s automobile liability coverage shall be the primary insurance coverage. The College's auto insurance is excess of the owner's insurance. The owner of the vehicle is responsible for any applicable deductible (e.g., liability or collision coverage) and is responsible for any increased personal automobile insurance premiums as a result of any accidents or moving violations. The College is not responsible for, nor does it carry any insurance for physical or comprehensive damage for personal vehicles.
The College reimburses employees for the use of a personal vehicle for official College business at the standard mileage rate published annually by the College. See the College Travel Reimbursement Policy for details. The rate is intended to cover all costs associated with owning a vehicle, including physical damage insurance.
Claims arising from use of a personal vehicle for College business or to/from a College activity are to be reported to the vehicle owner’s insurance agent/broker. In the event of a serious or potentially serious claim, the Fleet Safety Administrator of the College should also be immediately notified (see Section 9. Accidents and Accident Reporting).
Students
Students driving personal vehicles for academic, athletics, community service, student club or other purposes are deemed to be driving for their personal pleasure and convenience - this is not "College Business". The College is not obligated to provide transportation; there is no guarantee that College Vehicles will be available for every school-related need. Students may need to select activities in consideration of available transportation options.
Students driving Zipcars or other vehicles rented by students for academic, athletics, community service, student club or other purposes are deemed to be driving for their personal pleasure and convenience - this is not "College Business". Wellesley has many transportation options. For more information on Zipcars also see Zipcars at Wellesley.
Reimbursement for travel expenses for community service by Civic Engagement or other reimbursable travel does not create a college business purpose for the travel. College insurance will not apply to personal vehicles, Zipcars, Uber, Lyft, taxis or any other vehicle that is not a College Vehicle. Students assume the risk of traveling in personal vehicles driven by or with other students or commercial vehicles such as Zipcars, or using transportation services such as Uber, Lyft, or taxis.
Departments should not request or require students to drive a personal vehicle on College business except in rare circumstances and only when a College Vehicle or public transportation is not available. If a department wishes to have a student drive her personal vehicle on College business, it should be approved by the department head in writing in advance of the activity. The writing should be kept on file and a copy sent to the Fleet Administrator in the event the student has an accident and the college has to prove to its insurers that the student was driving on College business. Questions on this may be directed to Risk Management.
Borrowed Vehicles
No one should borrow another person’s vehicle to drive on College business, except in cases of extreme emergency. The emergency must be able to be documented.