Colleges and Universities Insurance

Higher education institutions face a broad spectrum of risk—from campus injuries and professional liability to sexual misconduct allegations, data breaches, and reputational harm. Heffernan Insurance Brokers provides comprehensive insurance solutions tailored for the complexities of colleges, universities, and academic systems.

What Is Colleges and Universities Insurance?

Colleges and universities insurance is a multifaceted insurance program designed to protect institutions of higher education from legal, financial, and operational risk. These programs combine core commercial coverages with specialized protection for unique campus exposures—like study abroad liability, Title IX claims, board governance, and crisis response.

Heffernan works with both private and public universities to craft scalable coverage packages that align with evolving risk and regulatory requirements.

Who Needs It?

This coverage is essential for:

• Public and private colleges
• Universities and multi-campus systems
• Community and technical colleges
• Graduate schools and medical schools
• Faith-based and liberal arts institutions
• Research and teaching institutions
• Nonprofit academic foundations or extension programs

Any institution offering degrees, managing campus property, or hosting students and faculty faces liabilities that require higher education-specific protections.

What It Covers

Heffernan’s higher education insurance programs typically include:

• General Liability – Protection against bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury claims on campus or during sanctioned events.
• Professional Liability (E&O) – Covers educational malpractice claims and academic disputes.
• Directors & Officers (D&O) Insurance – Protects trustees, board members, and leadership against governance-related lawsuits.
• Sexual Misconduct / Abuse & Molestation Liability – Covers allegations of faculty or staff abuse, including Title IX-related investigations.
• Employment Practices Liability (EPLI) – Defends against employee claims related to wrongful termination, discrimination, or wage issues.
• Cyber Liability Insurance – For data breaches involving student records, online portals, research files, or ransomware attacks.
• Property Insurance – Covers buildings, dormitories, labs, athletic facilities, and on-campus infrastructure.
• Business Interruption & Extra Expense – Helps cover lost income and expenses after a covered shutdown.
• Student Travel & Study Abroad Liability – Protects institutions from claims tied to sponsored international programs.
• Automobile & Fleet Insurance – For university-owned vehicles or shuttles.
• Workers’ Compensation – Required for faculty, administrative staff, maintenance, and student workers.

Endorsements may include tuition reimbursement coverage, athletic liability, and crisis event response services.

Common Risks for Colleges and Universities

Institutions of higher learning face large and layered exposures:

• Sexual Misconduct Allegations (Title IX)
  These incidents pose significant financial and reputational risk—even before claims are substantiated.
• Cyberattacks & Data Breaches
  Colleges manage enormous volumes of sensitive student, financial, and research data—making them prime targets for ransomware and cyber extortion.
• Campus Safety & Student Injury
  Slip-and-fall injuries, lab accidents, athletic events, and even Greek housing present daily liability concerns.
• Faculty & Governance Risk
  Employment disputes, tenure disputes, and leadership accountability claims are on the rise.
• Study Abroad & Off-Campus Programs
  Students and staff involved in travel, externships, or international learning may trigger cross-border liability.
• Catastrophic Property Loss
  Fire, flood, or violent incident can trigger massive business interruption and emergency planning needs.

Heffernan works closely with academic leaders and risk managers to structure insurance programs that protect your mission and reputation.