Professional indemnity

This insurance covers the University for claims against it for breach of professional duty by reason of any negligent act, error or omission by University staff, students or volunteer workers whilst engaged in University sanctioned teaching, research and associated consulting work and research and development activities.

The cover is only afforded under this policy to those consulting and doing commercially funded research through Sydnovate according to the guidelines produced by Sydnovate. Those consulting to outside organisations for a fee outside Sydnovate's guidelines will be doing so as private individuals and will not gain the benefit of the University's insurance coverage.

Advice given free of charge, or treatments given in the medical, veterinary and dental faculties, for example, also fall within the scope of this cover, providing they are done as a University activity and not in a private capacity.

If any work of this nature is to be done in the U.S.A. or Canada, please advise so appropriate insurance can be arranged if necessary.

If your department is involved in any contractual agreements, either to provide or receive goods or services, and these contracts have not been reviewed by Sydnovate, please contact so that we can review the contract with you to make sure there are no improper transfers of risk, in either direction.

Often, private firms or government agencies will incorporate clauses in contracts that attempt to release them from all liability for their actions relating to the contract. These are often referred to as "hold harmless or indemnification" clauses. Audit and Risk Management can often negotiate alternative language or remove these clauses altogether, and also assist the department in reviewing and developing contractual agreements that will accomplish the greatest protection of University assets. Please check with or the on the language of any contract or agreement under consideration.

Professional indemnity claims

It is essential that any circumstances that might give rise to a claim under this policy be advised to [mailto:v.nesic@usyd.edu.au||Audit and Risk Management]] immediately they become known. Apart from the obligations the University has to its insurers, it is often the case that a potential claim can be deflected or a potential exposure reduced or eliminated by early action by the insurers' personnel who are experienced in handling disputes of this nature.

Any claim which the University is aware of and which is not notified to the insurers within the policy year may be declined by the insurers.