Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is unprecedented in modern times and we understand this is an incredibly difficult and uncertain time for schools, colleges and academies.

As experts in the insurance industry, we’re aware that one of the main issue’s education providers are facing is understanding where they stand regarding their staff absence insurance cover and whether the policy they have will cover them if their staff are to contract COVID-19.

With this in mind, we are pleased to say that all of the providers featuring on our website offer schools the choice to include cover for absences caused by their member of staff testing positive for COVID-19.

Here are there main things to look out for in relation to COVID-19 when consulting your existing policy, and what to pay close attention to when purchasing cover with a new provider.

Pandemic exclusions

The first thing to look out for is a pandemic exclusion in your policy document. A pandemic generally means a form of an epidemic that extends throughout an entire continent or across continents.

Coronavirus has now been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). As a result, if your staff absence insurance policy includes this exclusion, it is likely that any claims which arise directly, indirectly or are contributed to by the Coronavirus will not be covered.

This means that whether a member staff has contracted the virus, or they are self-isolating (in line with government advice) as a member of their household has shown symptoms, your insurance provider may be able to decline such claims.

Before taking out/renewing a policy, make sure you ask the provider if their insurance policy includes a pandemic exclusion. You can also check this for yourself by reviewing the ‘Exclusions’ section of their policy wording.

Special conditions or endorsements

The second thing to look out for is providers adding special conditions or endorsements to your policy terms. Special conditions or endorsements are used to extend your level of cover, or to limit it.

These terms won’t typically be included within the providers policy wording, which can sometimes cause confusion for schools when they come to claim for absences they thought were covered.

Before taking out a new policy or renewing your cover, be sure to check for any Coronavirus related special conditions or endorsements. Often these will be included on quote forms, renewal forms, insurance schedules or invoices.