Cornell requires all third-party contractors, vendors, service providers, or users of Cornell facilities to provide evidence of certain types of insurance coverage at specified minimum limits of liability.  These requirements ensure that if a claim is filed because of exposures related to the scope of work, financial protection will cover the third party’s obligations under the agreement.

Consider working with contractors who have insurance already in place. If a contractor is not able to meet the standard requirements, the Office of Risk Management may be able to grant a waiver. Insurance waivers should not be the norm, and when granted, are only done so on a one-time basis.
When a waiver is requested, the contractor in question should not be engaged until a waiver is granted. Requests will not be considered after a contractor has begun work.

Corporations and other legal business entities (including Single-Member LLCs) are required to have minimum core insurance coverage. Any deviation from the standard insurance requirements must be approved by RMI through the insurance waiver/modification process.

It is also possible to request a modification to the standard requirements (i.e. reduction in limit, waiver of workers’ compensation, or auto liability when the work is to occur remotely) if the risk to the university is considered minimal/low.

Insurance Waiver/Modification Request Process

Requests to waive or modify insurance requirements, excluding those related to services involving minors, must be submitted by the Cornell contract administrator, not the contractor or vendor, to RMI. This is an internal process. Under no circumstances should the waiver/modification form be shared with the contractor, vendor, or any other internal or external party outside of Cornell.

Prior to Submission, the Contracting Department Must:

1. Confirm that the services do not involve working with minors.

2. Consult with RMI to determine the minimum insurance requirements for the scope of work.

   • Note: RMI does not waive core insurance requirements based on the scope of work, including for single-member LLCs.

3. Verify that the contractor does not maintain the required insurance coverage.

   • The contractor must provide justification explaining why they are unable to meet the applicable insurance requirements.

Submission Instructions:

• Complete the Cornell Insurance Waiver/Modification Request Form in its entirety. Incomplete or partially completed forms will not be processed.

• The contract administrator must submit the completed form and a copy of the agreement to RMI at risk_mgmt@cornell.edu.

• If the scope of work changes after the waiver is approved, the waiver becomes void.

Additional Requirements:

• The contractor/vendor must provide their own justification for the waiver request. This justification must not be written or submitted by the contracting department/unit.

• The department must provide a clear explanation of:

  • Why the risk to Cornell is minimal, and
  • Why is it considered a reasonable risk to waive the insurance requirement
    This information will help RMI determine whether the waiver request can be granted
  • Complete waivers will not be granted to legal entities, including single-member LLCs.

• By requesting a waiver, the department or unit acknowledges its responsibility for oversight of all risks associated with the scope of work.

  • If RMI approves the waiver, the department or university may be required to assume financial responsibility for any costs or liabilities resulting from the contractor’s negligence or errors/omissions that would have otherwise been covered by insurance.