CUREG 2.0

09. Research and Civil Liability Insurance

9.1 What civil liability (CL) insurance coverage(s) is there for Unige researchers?

 There are two types of Civil Liability (CL) insurances at the University of Geneva.

  • A general CL insurance that covers all “standard” activities of the members of the university, whether they are students, PAT, or PENS collaborators. The activities concerned are those related to the mission of the university, namely teaching, research or services to the community.
  • A special CL insurance, called “clinical trials” This is an insurance policy whose benefits are extended to research activities for which risks have been identified by a committee that has assessed the project, such as the CCER or the CUREG. Historically, this CL insurance was put in place for research that included clinical trials, hence its name.

 9.2 How are research projects covered by “clinical trials” CL insurance identified?

 Research projects for which risks have been identified are reported to the “clinical trials CL” insurance every trimester. Risks that are mainly related to the physical or psychological health of participants and/or researchers are of concern. The activities of all persons involved in the project are covered by the “clinical trials CL” insurance, as long as these activities take place in Switzerland.

 9.3 Are students conducting research as part of a bachelor’s, master’s or continuing education project covered by Unige’s general CL insurance?

 Yes, students carrying out research work during a bachelor’s, master’s or continuing education program are covered by Unige’s general CL insurance for their research activities when they take place in Switzerland, as is the case for any member of the University of Geneva, provided that they are registered at the university.

 9.4 Are students carrying out research involving risks related to the physical or psychological integrity of participants and/or researchers covered by the Unige’s “clinical trials CL” insurance?

 Yes, if projects involving students are declared to the “clinical trials CL” insurance by the CUREG following the project’s thorough evaluation procedure.

 9.5 How are the activities of those who do not have a contract with Unige covered? We are referring to interns, scholarship holders or doctoral students without remuneration.

A clause stipulates that persons are insured “in the performance of their duties for UNIGE.” The scope of the CL insurance is thus broad. However, an agreement must be formalized between the UNIGE and the scholarship holder or volunteer in connection with the research duties, typically by registration with the university or through an internship contract.

 9.6 Does the general CL insurance cover activities carried out abroad?

 Yes, the CL insurance is also valid for research activities performed outside Switzerland.

 9.7 Does the clinical trials CL insurance cover activities carried out abroad?

 No, the research activity must take place in Switzerland to be covered.

 9.8 Does this CL insurance cover activities carried out in Geneva on participants located abroad?

 No, for legal reasons. Research activities carried out by researchers located in Geneva but using participants recruited on European or international platforms will not be covered by the CL insurance. However, if participants come to UNIGE to participate in the research activity, these activities will be covered because Swiss law prevails. Please note that the simple fact of having a questionnaire filled out on foreign territory is not covered by our CL insurance.