How Student Accident Insurance Protects Students and Reduces School Liability

Whenever you have a child on your premises, there’s a risk of injury. In a school environment serving hundreds or even thousands of students, that exposure increases significantly. Although schools work hard to maintain safe environments, accidents are inevitable. Student accident insurance can fill in coverage gaps left by general liability insurance and help schools demonstrate their commitment to student well-being.

What Is Student Accident Insurance?

Student accident insurance is designed to cover medical expenses stemming from a student injury. Terms can vary, so it’s important to read your policy carefully, but coverage typically applies on a no-fault basis to injuries that occur during or while traveling to or from school, field trips or after-school activities.

If a student experiences a covered injury, the policy can provide reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical costs. Lump sum payments may also be available for certain types of severe injuries or death.

One in Five Pediatric Injuries Happen at School

While hurrying to class during passing period, a student falls down the stairs and breaks a leg.

A basketball hits a student in the head during physical education class, causing a concussion.

A student slips on a wet bathroom floor and breaks two teeth on the sink.

Students spend a significant portion of their time at school, and they are often physically active during this time, so it’s no surprise that injuries are common. According to research published in the Avicenna Journal of Medicine, school injuries account for around one in five of all pediatric injuries.

Schools are responsible for the safety of students. However, no matter how many precautions you take, there is always a risk of injury. Student accident insurance ensures that students will be able to get the care they need after an accident.

Reduce Litigation Risk

General liability insurance can provide some coverage for student injuries, but schools that rely on general liability insurance may expose themselves to coverage gaps and avoidable litigation.

One key issue is that general liability insurance coverage typically requires the establishment of liability. Although standard general liability insurance policies include some no-fault medical expense coverage, this is typically limited to very small claims of around $5,000 or even less. Given the high cost of medical care in the U.S., even moderate injuries can easily incur substantial expenses. To secure compensation for larger claims, the student’s family has to sue the school in order to establish liability, and as a result, the school may face legal burdens and reputational damage on top of core medical expenses.

Student accident insurance works on a no-fault basis, similar to workers’ compensation. When a student is injured, there is no need to establish fault or file a lawsuit. The policy can provide coverage for the medical expenses without litigation.

Consider a situation in which a student slips on a drink spilled by another student in the cafeteria during lunch period. The student experiences broken teeth, a concussion, and a sprained wrist, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. The family cannot afford the medical bills and decides to pursue legal action against the school.

• With student accident insurance in place, the family can receive reimbursement, and the matter can end there.
• Without student accident insurance in place, the family may need to file a lawsuit and prove that the school was negligent. This may involve accusations of things like substandard cleaning, a lack of student supervision, or a poor incident response. The school will have to defend itself, individuals may be called to testify, and the tension may disrupt student learning.

A Commitment to Student Well-Being

When you’re running a school, it’s not a question of whether a student accident will occur. It’s a question of when the next student accident will occur and how severe it will be. With so many students going about their day, participating in school activities, and generally acting like the children they are, accidents are bound to happen.

Schools work hard to provide a safe environment and deliver care when it is needed. For both public and private schools, securing student accident insurance is one more way to demonstrate commitment to student well-being. In today’s environment of rising medical costs and heightened litigation risk, coverage can also help schools manage their financial and reputational exposure.

To learn more about how student accident insurance can help protect your students and reduce liability exposure, contact Heffernan Insurance Brokers.