Insurance, accidents and civil liability for PhD programme degrees

Insurance

If they have paid the fees due for each academic year, PhD Students enrolled for PhD programmes at the University of Bologna are covered by insurance against injury and their liabilities to third parties.

Health insurance is not included.

FAQ on insurance

I have to carry out activities relating to the PhD programme in a location away from the University of Bologna, either in Italy or abroad, perhaps in the context of foreign stays authorised by the Academic Board. Am I covered by insurance?

Yes, if the activity is part of the training programme and has been authorised by the PhD programme's Academic Board through a specific resolution.
The resolution must state precisely the location and the period during which the activities will be carried out (start date and end date).
The authorisation may be given on an urgent basis by the PhD Programme Director, acting on a mandate granted by the Board, and ratified at the next session of the Board.
No insurance cover is provided for activities that are compatible with the PhD programme authorised by the Academic Board pursuant to Article 16 of the regulation, but not included in the training plan.

What should I do if the public or private party, whether Italian or foreign, hosting me while I carry out activities relating to the PhD programme requests confirmation that the insurance cover exists?

Authorisation from the Academic Board represents a suitable guarantee of insurance cover and, accordingly, there is no need to complete any additional forms.
If the host structure requests confirmation that the insurance cover exists, PhD Students must notify their home Departments about this need. The latter will send the Insurance Contract Administration Office an extract from the related authorisation minutes or will complete the insurance extension form that must be sent to the Insurance Contract Administration Office.

Does the insurance extension for the PhD students apply in all foreign countries?

University insurance extension does not apply in countries affected by civil war, war, invasion, enemy action or hostilities, even if war has not been officially declared. Accordingly, the persons concerned must obtain information about conditions in the destination country before departure, by consulting the specific webpage made available by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
If PhD Students on a foreign stay are surprised by the outbreak of bellicose events, their insurance will remain effective for 14 days subsequent to the start of hostilities.

Am I covered by insurance after the legal end of the PhD programme until I take the final exam?

No, if the activities relating to the PhD programme are completed by the end of the final year of the programme.
Yes, if the activities relating to the PhD programme are not completed by the end of the final year and the person concerned has paid the insurance premium for the academic year in progress. In this regard, PhD Students who attend University structures after the end of the third year of the programme must pay the compulsory insurance premium of € 1.04 until their degree is awarded.

If I carry out supporting activities authorised by the Academic Board, am I covered by insurance?

No, specific cover for supporting activities is not included in the standard insurance.
The Gelli–Bianco law, in force since 01/04/2017, makes professional liability insurance compulsory for all doctors, which must be activated by and at the expense of the parties concerned.

What should PhD students do in the event of damage to third parties?

All PhD students based at the University of Bologna are covered by UNIPOLSAI third-party liability insurance if, as part of their institutional activities, they are involuntarily responsible for causing losses to third parties. Accordingly, in the event of claims from third parties, PhD Students must inform their home Department on a timely basis, which in turn will start an investigation together with the Insurance Contracts Administration Office.

Injuries

An injury is an event arising during the course of a student’s activities that results in death or permanent partial or total disability.

In the event of an accident, the PhD students must:

• notify their home department immediately;
• send the first medical certificate to their home department as soon as possible, followed subsequently by the medical certificates confirming the continuation of the injury or recovery;
• notify the home department about the recovery from injury and the restart of activities.

In the event of injuries lasting not less than six months, PhD programme attendance may be suspended for not less than one year.

See the website ‘Protection and Promotion - Health and Safety’ for more information on accidents and to download the form.​

What to do in case of an injury

In the event of an accident, PhD students must promptly:

1. give their home Department the First-Aid medical documentation (so that the Department can notify INAIL prior to the legal deadline (and fulfil any other requirements) and, at the same time, notify the Insurance Contracts Administration Office);
2. complete the injury report form in order to activate the private AIG injury cover. No more than 30 days after the injury, this form must be given to the PhD Student's home Department (which will send it to the Insurance Contracts Administration Office) or given directly to the Insurance Contracts Administration Office.

Please note that the report referred to in point 2 will be ignored if the report to the structure referred to in point 1 is not made.
For more information, please consult the page Student Insurance.