Why did the university look at a multicampus insurance partnership?
The University of California recognizes that traditional approaches to contracting for some business products and services can be more effective and mutually beneficial if the breadth and depth of these relationships are expanded to seek and advance a set of shared objectives and principles among multiple campuses. With that understanding, the University Partnership Program (UC Berkeley), the Preferred Partnerships Program (UC Davis), and the Campus Partnership Program (UC San Diego) joined under the UC Partnership Programs (UCPP) to pursue a strategic multicampus business relationship within certain industries of opportunity.
What types of insurance are involved? Does this include health and life insurance?
The multicampus relationship will provide personal auto, homeowners and renters insurance products to members of the University of California.
The relationship does not include coverage for institutional insurance products, including general liability, employment practices liability, property, health, dental, vision, cyber, or worker’s compensation insurance
Who was involved in reviewing and securing this agreement?
Farmers GroupSelectSM was selected after a robust and collaborative review process by the Berkeley, Davis and San Diego Insurance Working Groups. Each campus’s Insurance Working Group included representation from various stakeholders across their respective campuses, including but not limited to undergraduate and graduate student populations; faculty; and staff from the Divisions of Student Affairs, Intercollegiate Athletics, Alumni Associations, and Human Resources.
What factors were used to determine an appropriate multicampus provider?
The campus’s Insurance Working Groups reviewed and scored potential insurance partners based on a variety of areas, such as stakeholder benefits, insurance products and services, strategic brand alignment, corporate social responsibility, student engagement, research and innovation, and product pricing and campus revenue.
What does this mean for the university’s existing insurance relationships?
The University of California continues to offer a wide array of high quality benefit plans, allowing campus constituents to select a provider that best meets their insurance needs. This does not impact any formal employee benefits such as health insurance.
The Farmers Insurance relationship will offer personal property and casualty insurance products and services which includes traditional insurance products (automobile, homeowners, renters) specifically to University of California members. The relationship does not grant exclusivity to Farmers Insurance, and allows campus constituents to work with any provider.
What are the potential benefits to the campuses?
Through this relationship, Farmers GroupSelect will provide additional benefits to campus, including: Discounts on individual or bundled insurance packages through the Farmers Insurance Choice℠ platform; convenient, automatic payment options, including payroll deduction for UC employees through the UCPath system; access to educational content; one-on-one consultation; and support of campus life including staff and student development, multicampus initiatives and research
How does UC Partnership Programs ensure partnerships are aligned with campus values, such as sustainability, health and social responsibility?
The UC Partnership Program adheres to a set of Guiding Principles when reviewing and selecting partners. These principles help to ensure the campuses are entering into a well-rounded partnership that aligns with the university’s mission and values.
The principles are:
- Strategic Brand Alignment – Develop authentic partnerships that are aligned with and support the university’s mission of teaching, research and public service.
- Priority Services and Engagement – Secure partnerships that provide support through products or services that contribute to and enhance the daily experiences of our students, faculty, staff and alumni.
- Campus Impact – Enhance the lives of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and our community through support of priority campus programs that highlight the University of California’s Values.
- Revenue Growth – Pursue strategic, significant partnerships that unlock new campus revenues and program support aimed at advancing the mission of the university.
How long is the agreement?
The relationship formally launched in October 2020, and will last five years.