Overview
A private secondary school educates middle- and high-school students on a campus that typically includes classrooms, science labs, gymnasiums, athletic fields, and often student transportation. Because the students are minors, supervision, safety, and conduct are central to daily operations, and many schools also run athletics, performing arts, and field trips. A governing board sets policy and oversees finances, while the school stores academic and family records. A program tailored to these realities may help coordinate liability, abuse, property, transportation, and board protection for the institution.
Part of our education insurance guidance.
Risk profile
Educating minors places supervision and student-safety exposure at the center of the school's risk. Athletics and physical-education programs generate frequent injury claims, and field trips extend responsibility off campus. The presence of minors makes allegations of abuse or improper conduct a serious and distinct exposure that general liability alone may not address. School buses and activity vans add transportation risk, while academic and family records create privacy exposure. A governing board faces management-liability claims tied to admissions, discipline, and financial decisions, and faculty and staff bring workers' compensation and employment considerations.
Common risks
Student injuries during athletics and PE
Sports practices, games, and physical-education classes generate frequent injury claims involving student athletes on and off campus.
Abuse and molestation allegations
Educating minors creates a serious exposure to allegations of improper conduct against staff, which general liability alone may not address.
Field trip and off-campus exposure
Field trips, performances, and away games extend the school's supervision responsibility beyond its own grounds.
Student transportation risk
School buses and activity vans carrying minors create significant auto liability and physical-damage exposure.
Board and management liability
Trustees and administrators make admissions, discipline, and financial decisions that can prompt management-liability claims.
Student records and data exposure
Academic, health, and family records held by the school create privacy exposure if data is breached.
Property and campus losses
Fire, storm, or water damage to classrooms, labs, and gymnasiums can disrupt instruction and activities across the school.
Recommended coverages
Coverages commonly relevant to private secondary school operations. Not every business needs the same policies.
Operational Coverage
Employee-Related Coverage
Contractual Coverage
Additional Protection
Why tailored insurance matters
A private secondary school carries a distinct combination of exposures, most importantly the responsibility for the safety and supervision of minors, that a general business policy does not address well. Abuse and molestation allegations, athletic injuries, student transportation, and board decisions each call for specific coverage. A program coordinated across general liability, abuse and educators liability, auto, management liability, and cyber may help the school protect students, staff, and trustees alike, subject to policy terms. Coverage availability depends on underwriting and the school's programs and history.
Hypothetical claim examples
Athletic injury during a game
A student athlete is seriously injured during a school sporting event and the family pursues a claim. General liability coverage may respond to medical and liability costs, depending on policy terms and the facts.
Allegation of improper conduct
An allegation of improper conduct is made against a staff member. An abuse and educators liability policy may respond to defense and related costs, subject to the specific policy, endorsements, and exclusions.
Activity-van accident on a field trip
A school van is involved in an accident while transporting students. Business auto coverage may respond to liability and damage costs, depending on policy terms and exclusions.
Hypothetical scenarios for illustration only. Coverage depends on the specific policy, endorsements, exclusions, and facts of each claim.
What affects insurance cost
- Enrollment and grade levels served
- Athletics and performing-arts programs offered
- School-owned bus and van fleet size
- Field trip and off-campus activity frequency
- Volume of student and family records held
- Faculty, coach, and staff headcount
- Board structure and prior claims history
How much does it cost?
There is no single price for private secondary school insurance — it depends on which of these coverages you carry and the specifics of your business. As a rough guide, here are general national averages for the coverages this business commonly needs.
- $1,000–$3,000 per year, depending heavily on property value and location
- $500–$1,500 per year for many small businesses
- $500–$2,000 per year for many small firms
- $1,500–$3,000 per vehicle per year
- $1,500–$5,000 per year for many private companies
- $1,000–$3,000 per year for many small businesses
- $500–$3,000 per year, driven largely by payroll and job class codes
These are general national averages shown for comparison only — not a quote. Actual premiums vary widely with underwriting and depend on the factors above and the specifics of your business, including size, revenue, location, claims history, and the limits you choose. See how we estimate costs.
Coverage considerations
- Confirm abuse and educators liability coverage for staff
- Review athletic injury exposure and liability limits
- Assess auto coverage for buses and activity vans
- Evaluate directors and officers coverage for the board
- Consider cyber coverage for student and family records
Common underwriting considerations
When insurers review a private secondary school business, they commonly evaluate factors like these. This is educational information — nothing here is collected or submitted.
- Ages served, enrollment, and staff-to-student ratios
- Background-check, supervision, and abuse-prevention policies
- Transportation provided and driver qualifications
- Field trips, athletics, and higher-risk activities offered
- Property values for buildings, equipment, and playgrounds
- Claims history, especially student-injury and employment matters
Common contractual insurance requirements
Contracts, leases, and licenses in this industry commonly impose insurance requirements such as these. Always review the specific wording in your own agreements.
- State licensing for childcare and schools commonly requires liability coverage
- Facility leases and shared-space agreements require additional-insured status
- Transportation contracts carry auto liability requirements
- Grant and public-funding agreements frequently prescribe insurance schedules
- Vendor and after-school program agreements request certificates of insurance
Common coverage mistakes
Mistakes businesses in this industry commonly make when arranging coverage — worth reviewing before you buy or renew.
- Operating without abuse-and-molestation coverage where children are served
- Overlooking auto exposure from staff transporting students in personal vehicles
- Missing accident coverage for student injuries that don't involve negligence
- Underestimating employment-practices exposure across faculty and staff
- Failing to cover off-site activities, trips, and satellite locations
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a private secondary school typically need?
Schools commonly carry property, general liability, abuse and educators liability, auto, directors and officers, cyber, and workers' compensation coverage. The mix depends on programs, subject to underwriting.
Why is abuse coverage important for a school?
Educating minors creates a distinct exposure to allegations of improper conduct that general liability may not address. Abuse and educators liability coverage may respond, depending on the policy.
Are athletic injuries covered?
General liability commonly responds to student injury claims from athletics, though higher-risk sports may affect terms. Coverage depends on policy terms and underwriting.
Do school buses need separate coverage?
Buses and activity vans carrying students create significant auto exposure, so business auto coverage is commonly needed for them, depending on the specific policy.
Why would the board need directors and officers coverage?
Trustees make admissions, discipline, and financial decisions that can prompt claims. Directors and officers coverage may help protect them, depending on policy terms and exclusions.
How does cyber coverage apply to student records?
Schools hold academic, health, and family records. Cyber coverage may help with breach response and liability if those records are compromised, depending on the policy.
How do I get a quote?
Call The Southern Agency at 1-800-777-1872 or request a quote online for guidance tailored to your private secondary school business.