Schools expect to be able to rely on their supply
teacher insurance to protect them against the costs of unexpected
staff absences. But in a new and aggressive commercial market many
schools have found themselves let down by cover which has turned
out to be insecure and unreliable.
Howard Mayhew, a managing director of Richard Thacker
and a schools insurance specialist, advises headteachers and governors
to choose carefully – cheap premiums are not "best value"
if claims are not paid. "Check the small print, and avoid false
economy," says Howard.
Howard has drawn up a checklist of useful questions,
to which all schools should obtain satisfactory answers before arranging
cover:-
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Who
is offering the scheme? |
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Are
they a registered insurance broker; how long have they been
trading? Are they financially secure? |
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Who
is the insurer? |
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Be
sure to choose a well-established, reputable and dependable
insurer. What track record do they have of writing supply teacher
insurance? |
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Has
the scheme changed insurer in recent years? |
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A
forced change of insurer can result in abrupt loss of cover
for long term absences, and a new policy will incorporate an
exclusion in respect of pre-existing and ongoing illnesses.
A double whammy! Continuity of cover is important. |
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Does
the policy provide long term cover for stress-related absences? |
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Stress
related conditions are by far the most costly cause of absence
– but some policies offer very limited cover. Check the
small print, and understand the level of cover provided. |
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What
exclusions apply in respect of pre-existing medical conditions? |
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Most
policies incorporate such an exclusion. The policy may only
exclude medical conditions which have previously given rise
to an absence, say within the previous twelve month period.
Some however will exclude any medical condition previously
suffered by a member of staff. |
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Does
a supply teacher have to be engaged before a claim can be made? |
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A
policy which will only pay if a supply teacher is engaged is
not only restrictive; claims settlements are often protracted
due to the amount of documentary evidence required. |
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Have
you obtained satisfactory references? |
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Ask
other schools whether they have any knowledge of the scheme.
The insurance broker should be able to provide you with details
of schools insured under the scheme who you can approach for
a reference. Your LEA may be prepared to carry out financial
checks on your behalf. |
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Does
the insurance comply with the Data Protection Act 1998? |
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The
Data Protection Act 1998 has significant implications for the
administration of Supply Teacher Insurance in schools. The Act
protects the privacy of staff members. Personal information
about someone's medical condition needed for insurance purposes,
for example sick notes, must remain anonymous. It is wise to
check that the insurers' quotation, administration and claims
handling procedures comply with the Act. If they do not, then
the school could find themselves in breach of the Act. |
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