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    Liability Coverage 101: What Every Texas Private School Needs to Know

    Posted by Matt Wilson on Jan 2, 2025 2:44:12 PM
    Matt Wilson

    Texans expect more out of life than most other Americans. We take great pride in who we are and where we live. One choice many parents make is to send their children to private school over public schools to help them prepare for all that their adult life can throw at them. This pride also places a set of expectations of how the school should operate.

    These expectations carry much further than just operations though. Parents want to see exciting opportunities, strong relationships, and deeper learning than they would get elsewhere. Running a school with these kinds of expectations also means being ready for the unexpected. That is where private school insurance comes into play.

    From accidents to lawsuits, there are risks that could disrupt a school’s operations or even threaten its future. That’s why it’s so important to work with an experienced private school insurance agent so that those expectations can be met! Many schools have an understanding of how to cover school property, but liability risks can be harder to understand given how many types of coverage can be needed. Here are five timeless types of insurance coverage that every private school has to consider! While you may not need them all, chances are you probably do.

     

    General Liability Coverage: Protecting Everyday Operations

    A private school is a busy place with students, parents, and visitors all coming and going. Accidents can happen anywhere, whether it’s a parent tripping on a step during a school event or a student running into a table in the cafeteria. General liability coverage is designed to help schools handle these kinds of bodily injury situations that they can bring.

    This type of insurance helps cover medical expenses if someone gets injured on campus and can also pay for legal expenses if the school is sued. Without it, a simple accident could turn into a big financial problem. And it covers any property damage claims that the student, parents, or other visitors might incur as well.

    General liability insurance helps schools stay protected from these common risks so they can focus on creating a great learning environment instead of worrying about what might go wrong. It is truly a baseline of protecting against legal liabilities.

    Liability Coverage 101: What Every Texas Private School Needs to Know

    Professional Liability Coverage: Supporting Education and Growth

    Educators and administrators work hard every day to give students the best possible experience. The work that they put in is nothing short of amazing, but sometimes disagreements happen. A parent might feel that a child was unfairly graded, or a teacher might be accused of not providing enough supervision on a field trip. These kinds of claims can lead to lawsuits, which are stressful and expensive to deal with. That’s where professional liability insurance coverage comes in.

    This coverage is all about protecting schools and teachers from claims that they made a mistake or didn’t do their job properly. It helps pay for legal defense costs and, if needed, settlements. By having professional liability insurance, schools can handle these liability claims with a peace of mind while continuing to focus on their mission—helping students learn and grow.

    Abuse and Molestation Insurance: Building Trust and Protection

    While it’s uncomfortable to think about, private schools need to be prepared for serious accusations like sexual abuse or misconduct. Incidents of abuse can happen anywhere, even at schools with excellent reputations and strong safety measures. Abuse and molestation coverage is there to help schools handle these sensitive situations.

    This type of insurance covers legal costs, settlements, and other extra expenses that can come from abuse allegations. Even if the claim turns out to be false, the cost of defending these expensive lawsuits to protect the school’s reputation can be significant. Abuse and molestation coverage shows families and staff that the school is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for everyone. It also provides financial stability to help the school move forward if the worst happens.

    Employment Practices Liability Insurance: Protecting Staff and Relationships

    Private schools don’t just educate students—they’re also employers. They hire teachers, coaches, counselors, and support staff to keep the school running smoothly. But like any workplace, disagreements can arise. A staff member might feel they were unfairly fired, or an employee might claim they were treated differently because of their gender or age. These situations can lead to expensive battles over legal claims.

    Employment practice liability insurance helps schools handle these issues. It covers claims like wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination, and breach of contract. This type of insurance helps pay for legal fees and settlements, so the school can deal with employee disputes without financial burden or risk to their reputation. It also shows staff that the school takes workplace fairness seriously, which can help build a stronger and more positive work environment.

    Workers' Compensation: Caring for Staff When Accidents Happen

    Every day, teachers and staff work hard to support their students and keep the school running. But sometimes, accidents happen and create work-related injuries. A teacher might sprain their ankle while supervising a soccer game, or a janitor could injure their back while moving heavy equipment. These workers' compensation claims are not covered by a general liability policy since they are employed by the school.

    Workers' compensation insurance is there to help when these kinds of covered claims occur. This coverage pays for medical bills, lost wages, and even rehabilitation costs if an employee gets hurt on the job. It protects both the staff and the school by making sure injured employees get the care they need without the school facing major financial strain since those cost are shifted to the insurance company.

    Texas has unique laws concerning workers compensation coverage. It is important to add this additional liability insurance coverage that sends a strong message to employees—that their health and safety are a priority.

    True Texas Education Insurance - Private Schools

    Protecting the Future of Texas Private Schools

    Private schools are built on a commitment to providing students with exceptional opportunities, but that commitment depends on having the right protections in place. While you can get coverage anywhere, we think it best to work with an expert in Texas Private School Insurance. Their expertise and deep knowledge of Texas can make the difference an expensive lawsuits becoming a potential risk to your school's future.

    Liability coverage, from general liability to workers’ compensation, helps schools handle potential risks, big and small, so they can stay focused on education and growth. Having customized private school insurance coverage starts with your independent insurance agent asking more questions than trying give answers. They will spend time understanding the unique needs that your school has before trying to solve them.

    True Texas Education Insurance works with many insurance carriers to ding the right coverage types for your school based on our risk assessment. If you want to have an insurance partner, our program will help you get there. Insurance For Texans is here to help, and we understand the challenges Texas schools face. Click the button below to get essential coverage for your school.

     

    Topics: General Liability, professional liability, liability, employment liability insurance, workers comp, True Texas Education Insurance, abuse & molestation, private schools