Risk Management Advisories
STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
When students are injured on school premises or at school activities, the injured
students and/or the parents of the injured students are primarily concerned
with payment of incurred medical and dental accounts.
OSBIE's liability policy does not provide automatic Medical Payments coverage. However,
Medical coverage is readily available to students through a Student Accident
Insurance Policy.
Students and parents of students immediately look to the schools for payment
of medical expenses if the student is injured on school property or at a school
activity. A Student Accident Policy would look after most of or all of any medical
or dental expenses. Payment of these expenses would probably eliminate many
claims against the school board under the liability policy. Reduced claims mean
reduced costs to school boards.
AN OPPORTUNITY....
Each new school year, school boards co-ordinate the distribution of Student
Accident Insurance kits. This presents an excellent opportunity for school boards
to aggressively promote the purchase of Student Accident Insurance. Not only
will the student be better protected, but the school boards will record a fewer
number of liability claims.
A letter or a message to the parents from the principal emphasizing the importance
of the benefits of this coverage and the fact that the school board does not
provide Medical Payments coverage could improve enrolment.
Information sessions for parents and students can be arranged at schools with
resources from insurance agencies or insurance companies available to lead a
discussion on the benefits of Student Accident Insurance.
Students should be apprised of the benefits of this coverage and encouraged
to purchase it. Those students involved in sports, co-op education, shop, etc.
should definitely purchase Student Accident Insurance.
The cost is minimal as it can be purchased for the school year to cover students while they are at school or involved in school activities, and can be purchased at any time of the school year. Plans can also be purchased to cover injuries that occur at any time of the year, regardless of whether it was while attending school or participating in a school activity.
The benefit of this approach is that it canprovide parents with "no fault" type injury coverage with no additional
costs to the school.
(REVISED 2010) E&OE
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