Overview

For legal liability—that is, protection against litigation—U3A Highvale is insured through the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA). This coverage is arranged by U3A Network Victoria and funded by the Victorian State Government, with no direct cost to us. Most U3As in Victoria have the same insurance.

This insurance covers U3A Highvale, its tutors, committee members, and authorised volunteers against legal liability—but only while acting in their official roles. This means if an incident occurs and negligence is legally proven against someone in a leadership position, the insurance would cover associated costs. Legal action can come from anyone—members, leaders, or invited visitors—as litigation cannot be prevented.

In addition, personal accident and medical expenses may be covered for committee members, tutors, and authorised volunteers, again only while performing their duties. This is similar to WorkCover, where coverage applies specifically to risks involved in carrying out official responsibilities. However, these same people are not covered when attending a class simply as a student.

U3A Highvale also holds separate insurance for contents and assets.

Please note, this is a general explanation rather than an official policy statement. However, it highlights why we strongly recommend that all members—including leaders—maintain their own personal insurance, particularly ambulance cover.

Recommended Reading

The VMIA U3A Quick Reference Guide (1 July 2024 – 30 Jun 2025) is easy to read and uses a fictional U3A with various scenarios and class examples.

Policy Cover Information

The table below provides a summary of the insurance policies held by U3A Highvale through VMIA and is intended as a general guide only. For full and accurate details of coverage, please refer to the official policies, which take precedence over this summary.

For full policy terms and condition, please refer to VIMA’s website under Community Service Organisations: https://www.vmia.vic.gov.au/insurance/policies-and-cover.

View the U3A Highvale – Insurance – Certificates of Currency – 2024 – 2025.

Policy Cover	Summary	Policy Limit
Public and Products Liability	Cover for your organisation to pay compensation for personal injury and/or property damage to third parties arising from your business activities.	Public Liability $20,000,000 any one Occurrence per organisation. Products Liability $20,000,000 any one Occurrence and in the aggregate.
Professional Indemnity	Cover for your organisation for an alleged breach of professional duty.	$20,000,000 any one claim and in the aggregate subject to non-accumulation.
Personal Accident	Cover for volunteers and eligible people within your organisation whilst performing their duty, for accidental bodily injury that results in loss of life, permanent or temporary disablement.	Lump sum benefits up to $250,000.
Directors and Officers Liability (including entity cover)	Cover for claims made against your organisation’s directors and officers while acting in that capacity representing your organisation; and including employment related matters.	$20,000,000 any one claim and in the aggregate, subject to non- accumulation and sub-limits, inclusive of legal costs and expenses.
Entity Fidelity	Cover for loss of your organisation’s money or other property arising from dishonest or fraudulent act committed by an employee or volunteer of your organisation.	$100,000 any one claim and in the aggregate subject to non- accumulation.
Medical Indemnity	Cover for claims alleging negligence in relation to the provision of healthcare services by your organisation.	$20,000,000 any one claim and in the aggregate.