Should I take out school insurance?

For parents, the question of school insurance arises every year. But it is not necessarily necessary to subscribe to a specific offer.

It’s back-to-school time for 12 million primary, secondary and high school students. For their parents, the same question arises every year: should they take out school insurance? On the first days of school, schools generally ask their students for a certificate. But it is not necessarily necessary to take out specific school insurance.

• What is school insurance for?

What is called “school insurance” protects a student against damage that he or she could cause or suffer at school. It includes two guarantees: civil liability insurance (for damage caused by the student) and individual bodily injury insurance (for damage suffered by the student, whether or not he or she is responsible). As for specific offers from insurers, some offer additional options, for example against theft or harassment.

• Is school insurance compulsory?

In principle, school insurance is optional for daily life within the school. Parents are not required to take out insurance for all compulsory school activities, i.e. those included in the student’s timetable, whether we are talking about mathematics lessons or physical education and sports (PE) lessons. You do not need school insurance to go swimming in the pool as part of weekly PE lessons, for example.

However, school insurance is required for all optional school activities organized by the school – a day trip to visit a museum or a school trip of a few days, for example. It is also mandatory if the student eats in the canteen for lunch.

• Do we have to subscribe to a specific offer?

Most insurers offer such offers. It is also possible to join a group contract through a parents’ association or a private educational establishment. But you should check beforehand whether this is necessary by examining your other insurance contracts.

In fact, parents’ multi-risk home insurance generally includes liability insurance extended to family members living in the same home. In addition, certain personal contracts, such as individual accident insurance or life accident insurance, can cover bodily injuries suffered by the student. These contracts, together, can act as school insurance and be presented as such at the start of the school year.