School launches new insurance for children

October 1994

A TRALEE primary school has introduced a new insurance scheme which covers children involved in accidents not covered by the normal school insurance policy.

The new Personal Accident Insurance scheme — which will cost parents just £2.50 per pupil per year — will insure children against accidents which do not come under the school’s own insurance scheme.

Holy Cross Principal John O’Connor, said a proposal about the new scheme was put before a meeting of parents a number of weeks ago at a meeting.

“There was a very favourable response to it at that stage and we had the feeling that it would be very popular amongst parents of children in the school,” he said.

In a letter to parents, Mr O’Connor said that the school authorities hold insurance to cover their legal liability for accidental injury to students but claims made by parents in such circumstances will only be met where they are able to prove negligence on the part of the school.

“This in many cases causes difficulties where a parent is informed by the school or the insurers that there was no negligence and therefore the claim for compensation and/or reimbursement of medical or dental expenses incurred cannot be met,” said Mr O’Connor.

He said that to try and avoid this, personal accident insurance for the students of the school can now be taken out at a cost of £2.50 per pupil per year. He said this new scheme would be very beneficial to parents whose children suffer dental injuries as a result of an accident at school.

“There could be a case where two children collide with each other in the school yard or in the school. This could result in injuries which could prove to be very expensive such as dental injuries. This type of accident does not represent negligence on the part of the school so any claims for compensation or medical expenses would not be met by the school’s insurers,” he said.

But if children are covered by this new insurance scheme, any expenses incurred by parents as a result of an accident of this nature will be met by the insurance company.

This new scheme is being operated through Brennan Insurances in Dublin and it covers students while they are at school, participating in all school related activities which are duly authorised and agreed by the insured school, including direct travel to and from school and such activities.

The new scheme is available to students between the ages of four to 21 years.

There is only one condition to the policy that the insured person is in good health and free from any physical defect or infirmity.