URMIA’s 2025 Annual Conference

Understanding the scope and limitations of contractual indemnity and additional insured coverage is critical to effective risk management for higher education institutions, but the legal landscape surrounding these risk transfer mechanisms has become increasingly complex. The latest developments in anti-indemnity statutes and the interpretation of additional insured endorsements will be discussed with the ultimate goal of providing risk managers with a toolkit on how to address and overcome common risk transfer challenges. Real-world claim examples will be provided to illustrate the importance of getting contractual language correct and the proper insurance coverage placed to avoid complicated multi-party claims (and headaches!).

This presentation will explore emerging trends and coverage disputes in property and natural disaster claims, highlighting critical issues for university risk management. Key topics include the distinction between physical and non-physical damage, valuation disputes (replacement cost vs. actual cash value), and coverage for concurrent causation. The session will address challenges such as the impact of catastrophic events, mold and water intrusion claims, and subrogation hurdles. Attendees will gain insights into policy complexities, real-world examples, and strategies for navigating risk management, ensuring effective coverage for university properties in the face of evolving legal and environmental challenges.