7.1 Auto Liability Coverage

The Auto Program is a self-funded program through the State of Georgia that covers state employees for damages or injuries they cause others while driving on state business. The Risk Management Division’s (RMS) goal is to resolve claims fairly and swiftly while protecting state agencies and state employees.

RMS provides liability coverage that pays for injuries and damages to others caused by state employees and other covered persons while performing their official duties. These losses should be called into 1-877-656-7475. For additional information, please visit the RMS website.

7.2 Auto Physical Damage Coverage (APD)

It is highly recommended that state agencies purchase Auto Physical Damage coverage (collision and comprehensive coverage) on all state or long term leased vehicles, through DOAS. Non-state vehicles including personal vehicles of state employees are not eligible for physical damage coverage through DOAS.

The state does not cover the damage to an employee’s personal vehicle even when damaged while performing their official duties.

7.3 Accident Reporting and Repair Requirements

7.3.1 Actions at the time of an accident

Whenever an accident occurs that involves a state vehicle or a non-state vehicle being used on state business, you should:

Assist the injured.
Report the accident to the police immediately.
Report the accident to your supervisor immediately.
Report the accident to the Claims Reporting Hotline 1-877-656-RISK (7475) as soon as possible. In no event, should reporting the accident be delayed beyond 48 hours.
Provide all parties coverage information provided in the Georgia Liability Insurance Identification Card.

7.3.2 Serious Injuries or Damages - Accident Scene Procedures

Irrespective of fault, vehicle accidents resulting in serious injuries or death must be reported to your agency Risk Coordinator and called into the Claims Reporting Hotline at 877-656-7475 immediately. Describe the matter as “serious” requiring immediate action.

Remembering that information and evidence can be difficult to obtain once you have left the scene of an accident, the employee should obtain as much of the following information as possible:

Brief narrative description of the accident including:
Date, time, and location of the accident.
Weather conditions.
Traffic conditions.
Photos of all vehicles involved showing any damages, physical surroundings, etc.
State agency involved.
Police authority investigating and their accident number.
State employee’s name, addresses, driver’s license number and telephone numbers.
Description of the state vehicle including license, VIN, and State ID number.
Owner and insurance information if non-state vehicle.
Other driver(s) name, address, and phone numbers.
Description of all other vehicles involved. Other driver(s) insurance information.
List all injured parties, their apparent injury, address, and phone numbers.
List all known witnesses and their address and phone numbers.

Employees are not permitted to and shall not express opinion as to fault or liability, agree to any settlements, or sign any documents other than those required by police authorities, the state’s self-insurance program, or applicable laws. Employees should not provide written or recorded statements to another carrier representative or attorney without approval of RMS.

7.3.3 Vehicle Accident Repairs

All accidents or losses that result in damage to a state vehicle or a third party while operating a vehicle must be called into the claims reporting vendor as established by DOAS’ Risk Management Program within 48 hours of the occurrence. All agencies are required to provide OFM the cost of all repairs resulting from an accident, vandalism, or any event which damages the state vehicle more than $500 or involves any safety related equipment. A determination must be made within 60 days to repair or surplus a vehicle involved in an accident. All repairs must be completed, and repair costs reported to DOAS, within 90 days of the accident or loss or the operating agency will not be eligible for additional or replacement vehicles. A record of damages handled through the Auto Physical Damage Program at DOAS will be housed in DOAS RMS systems.

7.4 Workers’ Compensation

State employees are covered under state workers’ compensation for injuries sustained while operating vehicles or as a passenger in a vehicle in the performance of their job duties. When a state employee is injured on-the-job, the supervisor must report the injury to the Claims Reporting Hotline by calling 1-877-656-RISK (7475). A customer service representative will obtain pertinent claim information from the injured employee’s supervisor. The following information is needed when the claim is called in:

Name of the employee;
Address;
Contact phone number;
Social Security number;
Age;
Sex;
Date of injury;
Wage rate;
Type of injury;
Body part injured;
Injury severity; and
If medical treatment has been received and where received.

The customer service representative will complete the Workers’ Compensation Employer’s First Report of Injury (WC1) and remit it electronically to the Risk Management Workers’ Compensation Unit. Upon receipt, a workers’ compensation claims specialist will be assigned and will contact the injured employee and employer for additional information. Once the injury is reported, the first contact will be made by the nurse to set up medical appointments if needed.

7.5 Rental Car Insurance

Employees may rent vehicles utilizing the Capitol Hill/Airport Car Rental and In-State Car Rental statewide contracts. Collision coverage is included in the rate when vehicles are rented for State business and the employee abides by the terms of the rental. Consult the statewide rental contract for complete details. If a state employee rents a vehicle through a rental car company not listed on the statewide contract, then the employee should purchase the collision damage waiver to be insured against property damage, loss, or theft done to the rental vehicle. Failure to follow this process could expose the employee to personal loss. There are no provisions for car rentals outside of the country.

7.6 Report My Driving

OFM provides a Report My Driving Program. The goal is to provide feedback from the public about State of Georgia drivers, and, where necessary, provide the tools to alter driver behavior making the roads safer for all travelers. All state vehicles, including those assigned to agency heads, are subject to this program. Exceptions are made for emergency vehicles, law enforcement, investigators, or in cases where identifying the vehicle could jeopardize the employee or the agency’s mission. Adherence to this program is a requirement of the RMS Comprehensive Loss Control Program. This program identifies specific drivers that are the subject of the call. Entities are required to know the identity of the operator of all state vehicles at every moment. For pooled vehicles, entities are required to keep a record of its vehicle operators and the time frame associated with their use of the vehicle. Report My Driving Decals are provided and should be affixed to the rear bumper of the vehicle. See picture below.

7. Risk Management

7. Risk Management

7.1 Auto Liability Coverage