School Governors Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Are we covered by the LEA?
Answer: Local Authorities (LAs) arrange insurance cover centrally but the excess on such insurance is often very significant (as much as £250,000 in some cases). This means that the authority itself has to bear a big chunk of any claim before the insurance will kick in. In such circumstances, you may be concerned about whether or not the LA would be prepared to support your governing body. Conflicts of interest could arise and the LA might not be prepared to back your GB in a dispute (e.g. a matter involving the head teacher who is an LA employee and will often have the backing of a union).
Some policies also state that their cover is only valid if Governor Law has been complied with. At first sight, this may sound perfectly reasonable, but with 330 pages in the current Guide and two annual updates there is obviously the risk of non-compliance. For these reasons, our policy covers unintentional breaches of Governor law.
Question: Can I insure for previous decisions taken/actions?
Answer: Yes for the first year only you can pay 50% additional premium and cover will be provided retrospectively for the previous 12 months. Obviously the insurance will not cover any incidents which you are currently aware of.
Question: Do we have to pay an excess in the event of a claim?
Answer: No there is no excess to pay by the school.
Question: Do we have to tell you every time a Governor changes?
Answer: No the cover and premium is based on the number of Governors on your Board (the number in your constitution). Cover under the Governing Body scheme does not list the names of current governors.
Question: How do I receive a quotation?
Answer: Just complete the quotation form and it will be sent / emailed to you.
Question: How is cover arranged?
Answer: Cover is arranged on a 'claims made' basis so cover must be in force when the claim is notified.
Question: How will my renewal be dealt with?
Answer: We will send you an email with details of your renewal approximately 30 days before the cover is due to expire.
Question: What types of schools can be covered?
Answer: The governing body for academy, nursery, infant, foundation, primary, junior, high, special needs, private and voluntary, village and independent can be insured.
Question: Who could make a claim against a Governing Body?
Answer: Pupils, past and present, Parents, Teachers and other Staff, Financial Benefactors, Suppliers/School Visitors and Other Governors.
Question: Who is Alan Boswell Insurance?
Answer: The Alan Boswell Group is a well-established and reputable insurance and financial services company specialising in affinity schemes.
Question: Who is the insurer?
Answer: The insurer behind the scheme is Hiscox; a major international company with offices in 12 countries and customers around the world.
Question: Why should our governing body take out this cover?
Answer: This School Governors Insurance Scheme offers affordable cover to protect your governors against claims arising from negligence or breach of duty in the management of their school, where such claims falls outside the protection provided by an LA.
Defending a claim – however spurious - could prove extremely expensive. A governor, or the governing body as a whole, could face a large legal bill with dire financial consequences for the individuals concerned; or for the school (if it agreed to reimburse the governors).
When you become a Governor, you are obliged to undertake certain duties and assume responsibilities on behalf of the school. You are expected to perform those duties with a reasonable degree of care, skill and in good faith. Unfortunately, there are no set rules as to what is and is not 'good faith' – it’s subjective - and could therefore find that you have no protection from the LA’s insurance.