School Insurance: What You Pay and What You Already Have
Eight out of ten parents purchase a school insurance policy at the start of the school year. Many end up paying twice for coverage that their home insurance policy already provides, and expect far more from the new “bullying” coverage than it actually offers. Here’s what to check before signing.
No, school insurance is not required to enroll a child in school. The circular dated August 25, 2006—which is still in effect—leaves little room for doubt: admission to a school, as well as participation in activities included in the curriculum and taking place during school hours, “cannot be contingent upon the presentation of proof of insurance.” A public school that required this at the time of enrollment would be in violation of the ministry’s policy.
However, it becomes mandatory as soon as school hours end: optional field trips, educational field trips, overnight trips, school lunches, supervised study periods, and after-school programs. That’s why almost all families end up purchasing one.
Two types of coverage that should not be confused
A school insurance policy combines two very different types of coverage. Civil liability covers damage your child causes to others—such as a classmate’s broken glasses or a window in the gym. It compensates the victim for the amount of the loss and requires that liability be established.
Personal accident coverage covers the opposite—injuries your child sustains, even when no one is at fault. A child who falls on his or her own in the schoolyard and breaks a wrist is covered by this policy—and this policy alone. That is the gap that school insurance claims to fill.
You already have liability insurance, however. Every comprehensive home insurance policy includes personal liability coverage that covers damage caused by children living in the household. The DGCCRF puts it bluntly: your home insurance covers the child’s civil liability, but not any bodily injury the child sustains. So open your home insurance policy, verify that the children are included in the definition of insured persons, and then ask your insurer for a certificate of civil liability coverage for school and extracurricular activities. Most insurers provide this free of charge, and schools accept it.
Also check to see if you have personal accident insurance. If you do, UFC-Que Choisir is adamant: you’re probably paying twice. Personal accident insurance provides compensation under general law, item by item, whereas individual accident insurance pays a fixed lump sum based on a schedule. It generally offers more comprehensive coverage.
The policy does not cover sprains
Many parents are in for a rude awakening on this point. The terms and conditions set a disability threshold below which no lump-sum payment is made. In one policy we reviewed, this threshold is 6%. Accidents on the playground—which make up the vast majority of cases—therefore do not trigger any payout. Individual accident insurance primarily serves as a supplement to Social Security and health insurance, covering out-of-pocket expenses.
Harassment: Read the line below
This is the sales pitch for the start of the school year. High-end policies offer “harassment protection.” Here’s what it covers, according to the terms and conditions we’ve reviewed: a maximum of three telephone counseling sessions per dispute, and legal protection capped at €10,000 for proceedings in France. No compensation for emotional distress. This coverage is almost always a paid option reserved for the most expensive plans, with no retroactive effect on an existing situation, and the insurer must give its approval before any legal action is taken.
Compare this with what’s available for free. 3018, the national hotline against harassment, is anonymous and available seven days a week. The “Mon soutien psy” program entitles children as young as 3 to twelve sessions per year with a psychologist, 60% of which are reimbursed by the national health insurance program.
How much, and until when
Expect to pay 10 to 15 € per year per child for a basic school plan, which covers only school activities and the commute between home and school. The 24-hour after-school plan, which covers Wednesdays, school breaks, and sports clubs, costs between €30 and €40. Be wary of very cheap plans: make sure transportation is included. These plans generally run through August 31 and do not renew automatically.
Finally, in the event of an accident, the reporting deadline specified in the contract cannot be less than five business days. Exceeding this deadline does not automatically result in the loss of your rights: the insurer must prove that this delay caused it harm.
