When an accident happens at school, school insurance is often the first thing that comes to mind. But what exactly does it cover? And what happens if your child has an accident not at school, but at home, while playing sports or during their free time?
These are situations no parent wants to face. Nevertheless, it is useful to know what protection you can rely on if something happens.
What does school insurance cover?
Schools generally take out school insurance for their pupils. This insurance may provide cover if your child suffers a bodily injury during school activities. Examples include a fall in the playground, an injury during PE or an accident on a school trip.
Accidents occurring on the normal journey to and from school may also be covered.
Exactly which costs are reimbursed and up to what amounts depends on the insurance policy taken out by the school. School insurance therefore provides important protection, but this does not necessarily mean that all the financial consequences of an accident will be fully covered.
What about sports and youth organisations?
Outside school hours, children often take part in organised activities. Sports clubs and youth organisations generally also provide their members with some protection in the event of bodily injury.
If your child breaks an arm during training or is injured during an activity organised by a youth organisation, for example, its insurance may provide cover. Here too, exactly which accidents and costs are covered depends on the policy taken out by the organisation.
Schools, sports clubs and youth organisations therefore often provide a certain level of protection. But children naturally also spend a great deal of time outside these organised settings.
An accident during their free time
A fall from a bicycle, an accident while playing outside or an injury while playing at home: your child can also suffer a bodily injury during ordinary moments in their private life.
In these situations, there is no school, sports club or youth organisation whose accident insurance can provide cover. Your health or hospitalisation insurance may cover certain costs, but depending on the circumstances and the insurance policies you have, there may still be financial consequences.
This is where additional protection can be useful.
The essentials of personal accident insurance
Personal accident insurance can provide additional protection. It is designed to cover the financial consequences of bodily injury caused by an accident in your private life, depending on the cover selected.
For example, it may cover medical expenses following an accident and provide protection against more serious consequences, such as permanent disability.
The advantage is that the protection does not end when the school bell rings. Your child can also be protected against the financial consequences of bodily injury while playing sports, playing or taking part in other leisure activities.
Making sure your child is properly insured
School insurance is important, but children spend a large part of their time outside the school environment. It is therefore useful to know how your child is protected in both situations.
At Van Dessel, we review the protection you already have and identify where additional cover may be useful. This way, you know what protection you can rely on, whether an accident happens at school or during your child’s free time.
