Insurance for Schools Insurance Service Business Assurance Wokingham Borough Council Shute End Wokingham RG40 1BN

Transcription

1 Insurance for Schools Insurance Service Business Assurance Wokingham Borough Council Shute End Wokingham RG40 1BN

2 Contents Compulsory Insurance Section Page Property Insurance: Buildings 1 3 Casualty Insurance: Public Liability/Third party 2 4 Casualty Insurance: Employers Liability 3 4 Casualty Insurance: Libel and Slander 4 5 Casualty Insurance: Officials Indemnity 5 5 Casualty Insurance: Claims 6 5 Fidelity Guarantee/Theft by Employees Insurance 7 6 Money Insurance 8 6 Personal Accident Insurance: Employees 9 6 Personal Accident Insurance: Volunteers 10 6 Motor Vehicle and Minibus Insurance 11 7 Building, Construction or Structural Works, Extensions, Renovations 12 7 Optional Insurance Section Page Property Insurance: Contents 13 8 Personal Accident Insurance: Governors Casualty Insurance: Third Party Hirers Public Liability Insurance Casualty Insurance: PTA Public Liability/Third Party Off-Site Activities Insurance On-Site Insurance Playground Equipment Insurance Supply Teacher and Support Staff Insurance Scheme Other Insurance Policies Key to Colours Compulsory insurance arranged by the council s Insurance Service Compulsory insurance not arranged by the Insurance Service Necessary insurance cover that can be arranged by the Insurance Service Optional insurance arranged by the Insurance Service Important notes! 1

3 Introduction This booklet provides a summary of the insurance cover arranged for schools by the council s Insurance Service. Full details of the policy cover, terms, conditions and exceptions are contained in the policy documents. The terms will change from time to time. Please contact the Insurance Service, who will be happy to assist, if you have any questions regarding your cover. The availability of insurance is no substitute for good risk management practices. Insurance can only provide limited financial compensation or reimbursement after something has gone wrong. By managing risk effectively schools can substantially reduce the number and severity of losses. This, in turn, releases resources both time and money for the primary purpose of educating children. Please note that every policy of insurance contains a reasonable precautions condition requiring that: o all reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent or minimise accident, injury, loss or damage to people or property; o premises and plant will be maintained in good repair and manufacturers recommendations will be followed; o all statutory obligations and regulations will be complied with; o any defects or dangers will be made good and repaired as soon as reasonably practicable. Please note that cover is not currently available through the Insurance Service for academy or free schools. The insurance cover described in sections 1 to 10 on pages 2 to 6 is compulsory and is arranged automatically on behalf of schools each year. The remaining insurances are optional and schools may choose annually whether to purchase these covers. Contacts Dan Skinner Insurance Manager Phone: dan.skinner@wokingham.gov.uk Michael Bateman Assistant Insurance Officer Phone: michael.bateman@wokingham.gov.uk Enquiries may also be ed to insurance.wokingham@wokingham.gov.uk 2

4 Part 1: Compulsory Insurance Cover 1. Property Insurance: Buildings This policy provides cover for the structure of the school building in respect of sudden and unforeseen damage that is caused by an insured peril. Cover includes (but is not limited to) damage arising from the following perils : fire, lightning and explosion; storm, flood and burst pipes; impact by vehicles; riot and civil commotion; malicious persons and vandalism; theft; accidental damage; subsidence; acts of terrorism. Cover is on a new for old basis. In the event of an insured loss or damage occurring, please inform the Insurance Service as soon as possible, but no later than 5 days after the loss is discovered, and complete and return a property claim form which may be downloaded from the Insurance Service webpage. Where damage is severe and is estimated to cost more than 5,000 to repair, the Insurance Service must be notified immediately, so that an independent loss adjuster may be appointed to oversee the claim and visit the school. If possible, this should be before any repair work commences. Any expenses incurred other than the reasonable costs of emergency repairs or making safe and securing premises may be rejected by insurers and not reimbursed to schools unless prior authorisation has been given by the Insurance Service, insurers or loss adjuster. The insurers are aware of the fire procedures and security measures currently in force at schools (i.e. fire alarms and intruder alarms). We must inform insurers of any significant changes to these protections. Therefore you must advise the Insurance Service immediately if a change is proposed, or if a system is temporarily out of action. Similarly, if you receive notice from the police that they are withdrawing their response to your alarm following a number of false activations, it is imperative that the Insurance Service is notified immediately. Failure to do so could make your policy cover void. From time to time the insurers may impose additional terms and conditions upon schools, such as after a school security and risk management survey, in order to comply with their minimum levels of risk management and security. The school must comply with all such requirements. 3

5 2. Casualty Insurance: Public Liability/Third Party This policy protects against the costs of paying damages (compensation) and legal fees arising out of legal liability claims made against the school from third parties (i.e. visitors, members of the public, parents, pupils, contractors) who are injured or who contract a disease or whose property is damaged as a result of the school s negligence or breach of a statutory duty by the school. Cover applies in respect of a school s usual activities. Note that fireworks displays are not considered to be a usual activity of a school and therefore you must notify the Insurance Service in advance of a display so that cover can be arranged. Members of staff, governors and volunteers are indemnified in respect personal liability to pay compensation to a third party, always providing they have acted reasonably and in good faith and the claim arises from an official educational activity or out of the discharge of their official duties. Please note that the children are not insured. If a child were to be injured and bring a claim for compensation, the school will be indemnified in respect of that claim. Where someone other than an employee (such as a visitor, member of the public, parent, pupil, contractor) suffers a work-related injury, i.e. the accident or incident causing the injury arises out of or in connection with the school s usual activities or work (such as a failing in organisational or supervision arrangements, a fault with equipment or the condition of the school premises) a Wokingham Borough Council Incident Report Form must be completed and returned without delay to the council s Corporate Health and Safety team. Completed forms may be sent by to hrenquiries@wokingham.gov.uk or by post to Corporate Health and Safety, Wokingham Borough Council, PO Box 152, Shute End, Wokingham, Berks., RG40 1BN. 3. Casualty Insurance: Employers Liability This policy protects against the costs of paying damages (compensation) and legal fees arising out of legal liability claims made against the school from employees who have been injured or who have contracted a disease at work whilst carrying out their official duties. Injuries to temporary employees and those on work experience schemes at your school are included under this policy. The Insurance Service must be made aware of any employees whom the school considers might claim in the future because of an on-going work-related hazard. Employees should also be made aware that they have a responsibility to highlight such hazards to their supervisors. The insurance policy will also provide cover for the cost of defending prosecutions made against the council and school by the Health and Safety Executive. However, please note that it is not possible to insure against the cost of fines as this is a practice contrary to public policy. 4

6 All accidents and incidents no matter how minor and including near misses involving an employee must be reported to the council s Corporate Health and Safety team. A Wokingham Borough Council Incident Report Form must be completed and returned without delay by to hrenquiries@wokingham.gov.uk or by post. 4. Casualty Insurance: Libel and Slander This policy provides an indemnity to schools against sums which become legally liable to be paid as damages (compensation) for defamation, being: libels appearing in any publications; or slanders made by a school's employee in the course of undertaking official school business. This is providing always that the individual concerned is acting in good faith and in the course of official statutory obligations. 5. Casualty Insurance: Officials Indemnity This policy provides cover for schools in respect of sums which they become legally liable to pay as compensation for loss caused to a third party through a negligent act, error or omission. This cover relates to purely financial losses only and provides an indemnity in respect of the school s statutory functions only. Claims arising from injury, illness, physical loss or damage to property are dealt with under the public or employers liability cover described earlier in this document. 6. Casualty Insurance: Claims In order for a claim to be successful, it is necessary for the third party or injured employee to demonstrate that the school or member of school staff has been negligent or in breach of a statutory duty. Whilst it might be accepted that someone has been injured it does not necessarily follow that there has been negligence. No comment should be made if a claim is reported to the school apart from expressing regret that an incident has occurred. If someone wants to make a claim against the school or if you receive written notification of a claim you must forward it, unanswered, to the Insurance Service immediately. Please include the envelope in which the letter of claim was posted. Schools should make arrangements for their post to be opened during school holidays and any claim forwarded to the Insurance Service. In addition, you must provide as a matter of urgency a full written report, with photographs if possible, in to the incident which has given rise to the claim. Insurers need as much information as possible in order to try to defend a claim. In order to avoid prejudicing the school s, council s or insurance company s position, there must be no direct communication between a school and any third party, claimant or solicitor. 5

7 Liability must not be admitted under any circumstances. No invoices, bills or demands should be paid. 7. Fidelity Guarantee/Theft by Employees Insurance This policy provides cover for the loss of money or goods belonging to a school through the fraudulent or dishonest acts of its employees. 8. Money Insurance This policy provides cover for loss of money whether official school funds or unofficial cash (such as money taken for school trips, uniforms, books) which belongs to the school or for which the school has accepted responsibility. Cover is in place for money in transit and on school premises. There is a maximum limit of 250 for loss of money from locked receptacles (other than safes) in the school. All losses must be reported to the police and a Crime Reference Number obtained. In order to make a claim for stolen money schools must be able to provide evidence of the amount of money stolen. As such, it is very important to maintain accurate, current and auditable records. In the absence of such evidence insurers will be unable to deal with a claim, meaning that the stolen money will not be reimbursed. 9. Personal Accident Insurance: Employees This policy provides for a limited, defined payment to employees who suffer a permanent injury as the result of an accident or assault, whilst they are going about their official duties. Any monies payable are related to the extent of any injury suffered and are based on the annual salary of the injured person. This should not be confused with payment of compensation for an injury. An age limit applies. The policy also provides for reimbursement of 50% of the wages paid to an employee during an absence from work arising from an injury sustained whilst going about their official duties. The school (or council, as appropriate) is the beneficiary and not the injured employee. 10. Personal Accident Insurance: Volunteers Cover has been arranged for volunteers assisting in school, or on official school activities, to provide them with a payment should they suffer a permanent accidental bodily injury whilst engaged in those activities. This policy also covers the volunteer on their journey from home to school and return home. Benefits are provided for death and permanent injuries: the level of benefit would depend on the degree of injury suffered and is based on a fixed capital sum. This should not be confused with payment of compensation for an injury. An age limit applies. 6

8 11. Motor Vehicle and Minibus Insurance Note: by law, this cover is compulsory, but it is not arranged on schools behalf by the council. A minibus does not handle, brake, steer or perform like a standard passenger car, particularly when fully loaded. The potential for it to be involved in an accident is much higher and, as such, the chance of a serious or even catastrophic accident is even greater. It is essential that anyone driving a minibus holds a licence to do so and has taken a minibus driver training course. Schools must purchase motor insurance for minibuses or other vehicles that they own or operate. It is a criminal offence to use an uninsured vehicle, or a vehicle that the driver is not insured to drive, on the public highway. Comprehensive cover is recommended, together with legal costs insurance which will assist in recovering any uninsured losses from a third party who causes an accident. Minibus drivers must: o have passed a competency test to drive such vehicles; and o hold a licence that permits them to drive minibuses. Details are obtainable from the council s Corporate Transport Unit who can give advice on the regulations applying to the use of minibuses. In the event of an accident, theft of or damage to a vehicle, you must immediately contact the relevant insurance company. Failure to report an incident immediately may allow the insurer to reject or to decline to deal with the claim. The insurance company will advise you on the claims process and arranging repairs. If the accident involves an injury to a person, the police must be notified. 12. Building, Construction or Structural Works, Extensions, Renovations If your school has arranged for building works or renovations to be carried out, or an extension or new building to be constructed, you must notify the Insurance Service in advance. If you do not do so, your insurance cover may be affected. Every project involving alterations to a building, or construction of an extension or new building, is different and there is no single set of guidelines to follow. The various issues to take in to account are highly technical and include not just considerations of insurance, but also risk management, contractual terms, health and safety, site management to name a few. You will need to take some expert advice: the council s Operational Property Unit will be able to help. Matters to consider include but are not limited to the following. o Does everyone involved have adequate insurance cover, such as public liability, employers liability, contract works and professional indemnity? o What are the limits of indemnity? o Will the contract works insurance be arranged by the contractor? o Will it be in joint names with the authority and school? 7

9 o Does the contractor have a blanket contract works insurance policy in place to cover such works anyway? o Who is the employer in respect of the works? o Who is going to supervise and manage the project? o Who will have day to day control of the works and site? o Have you checked everyone s insurances? o Is the contractor insured to carry out work at schools? o Does the contractor have any prior experience of this type of work and of working on school sites? o Is the proposed contractor competent to carry out the work? o How has this been demonstrated and established? (E.g. have you taken up references, carried out an interview, checked their management procedures, examined their safety record? This is particularly important when the contract involves any works that have the potential to alter or adapt the structure of the building or the mechanical or electrical services.) o Exactly what contract conditions apply to this contract and to these works (e.g. the JCT or other contract terms that the school signed up to)? o What obligations do the JCT or other contract terms place on the school or the authority? o What security will be in place whilst the works are being carried out? (E.g. to prevent entry to both the existing school building and the building site.) o Will children be on site during the course of the works or will the school be empty? o Are full and proper risk assessments in place? o Has the asbestos register been consulted and any appropriate action such as the appointment of expert asbestos removal contractors been taken? o Have Planning and Buildings Regulations and the Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations been properly considered and complied with? A major consideration is: who is required to insure the contract works whilst the building is being constructed? If the responsibility rests with the school to do so then you must contact the Insurance Service before agreeing to this. If you do not do so, the works may be uninsured and, if damaged before they are completed, the school will be responsible for paying the costs of starting the work all over again. Part 2: Optional Insurance Cover Fair funding for schools allows for the delegation of funding to schools so that they may purchase their own insurance cover. You are therefore able to make your own insurance arrangements and may purchase cover either independently or through the council. However, you must purchase the compulsory insurance covers through the council s Insurance Service in order to also purchase any of the following optional covers through the council. Schools must consider seriously their own individual circumstances and purchase appropriate insurance cover to provide adequate financial protection in the event of a loss being suffered. 13. Property Insurance: Contents This policy provides cover for all of the school s contents, office equipment, computers and all property held in the school s custody or control or leased on a 8

10 long-term basis to the school, in respect of sudden and unforeseen damage that is caused by an insured peril. This includes (but is not limited to) damage or loss arising from: fire, lightning and explosion; storm, flood and burst pipes; impact by vehicles; riot and civil commotion; malicious persons and vandalism; theft; accidental damage; subsidence; acts of terrorism. Valuable items such as laptops, camcorders, freestanding projectors and cameras must be secured away in locked cabinets or drawers when not in use outside of lessons. Items borrowed by the school or hired-in on a short term basis (e.g. disco equipment, PA systems, items to be used for plays or shows) are not covered automatically, but cover can be arranged by the Insurance Service. Please note that there is no cover for staff members, visitors or pupils personal possessions. As with any insurance policy, the cover is intended to put you, the insured, back in to the position you were in before the loss occurred. Cover is therefore on a new for old, like-for-like basis but the policy will not pay for any betterment or improvement. There is no cover for damage occurring as a result of gradually occurring causes such as water seepage, old age or general wear and tear. This is a blanket policy, so there is no need to provide details to the Insurance Service of each piece of equipment to be insured. However, schools must maintain an inventory of contents, detailing the value of each item, to be insured. This will be needed if a claim is made. In the absence of such an inventory, it can be difficult to prove what has been stolen or damaged. Items that are on long-term loan are automatically included within the cover whilst they are in the custody and control of the school but items of significant value (above 5,000) should be notified to the Insurance Service. Items that are kept outside are not covered. School equipment kept temporarily at the private residence of an employee is covered, provided reasonable security measures are taken. If a computer or other such item is taken home by a member of staff, they should go straight home. Any equipment left unattended in a vehicle is generally excluded from cover. In the event of an insured loss or damage occurring, please inform the Insurance Service as soon as possible, but no later than 10 days after the loss is discovered, and complete and return a contents claim form which may be downloaded from the Insurance Service webpage. 9

11 Where damage is severe and is estimated to cost more than 5,000 to repair, the Insurance Service must be notified immediately, so that an independent loss adjuster may be appointed to oversee the claim and visit the school. If possible, this should be before any repair work commences. Any expenses incurred other than the reasonable costs of emergency repairs or making safe and securing premises may be rejected by insurers and not reimbursed to schools unless prior authorisation has been given by the Insurance Service, insurers or loss adjuster. 14. Personal Accident Insurance: Governors This policy provides for a payment to governors who suffer a permanent injury as the result of an accident or assault whilst they are engaged in carrying out their official duties. The level of payment depends on the degree of injury suffered and is based on a fixed capital sum. This should not be confused with payment of compensation for an injury. An age limit applies. 15. Casualty Insurance: Third Party Hirers Public Liability Insurance Your school might want to hire out part of the school premises to individuals or organisations. Please remember that the security and safety of the school is paramount and you need to give full consideration to how you will ensure that the school remains safe. Its primary purpose is for the education of the pupils not for making a profit from hiring out part of the premises and if significant damage or loss occurs you could be without the use of the school building for a considerable period of time. Who will unlock the premises? Will there be anyone on site for the duration of the hire period? Who will lock up? Who will set the alarms? How will other areas of the school be kept secure? Your school will need to put together a hiring/letting policy and procedure document which should be regularly reviewed and updated. When an initial booking enquiry is made, you must check to see if the hirer has its own public liability insurance policy and request a copy, which should be retained. A minimum limit of indemnity of 5,000,000 is required. If asked, the Insurance Service will advise on whether a hirer s insurance complies with requirements. If the hirer does not have its own cover, it should be advised to obtain public liability insurance with an adequate limit of indemnity and to produce evidence of this. Many hirers, including most charities and national organisations (such as the Brownies, Girl Guides and Scouts) will have their own public liability insurance. However, people who hire the premises on a one off basis (e.g. for a wedding reception, a birthday party, a local history lecture) or small groups or clubs who make occasional or regular bookings (e.g. for playing football with friends or colleagues, for choir or band practice) are much less likely to have liability cover. 10

12 Wokingham Borough Council's public liability/third party insurance policy provides an indemnity to the council and to schools in respect of claims occurring as a result of the negligence of the council or schools: see section 2, above. The cover does not indemnify third parties such as people who hire the school premises. Therefore, in order to protect your school s interests and the interests of those people hiring the school premises we recommend that you subscribe to the Third Party Hirers' Liability Insurance policy. This insurance provides an indemnity to individuals, groups, associations, clubs or societies, who do not have their own public liability insurance cover, for the period of the hire of the school premises. Therefore, in the event of a claim arising from an injury to a third party or damage to their property, caused by the negligence of the hirer, the policy would indemnify the hirer for their legal liability. The limit of indemnity is 5,000,000. The hirer is responsible for an excess of 100. Please note that cover does not apply to the following: x x x x x x political meetings; professional entertainment of any kind; commercial ventures or business functions; martial arts activities; the use of equipment which operates by the application of heat; injury sustained by a participant in a sporting activity where the injury was caused by another participant. A commercial venture is where a business or profit element is involved. Where the hirer makes a charge to clients or customers (e.g. a dance teacher or fitness instructor) in order to make a profit then it will be a commercial venture. Any such business or commercial operation should, in any event, have its own public liability insurance in place. The premium is based on the hiring fee and is charged to the hirer as an inclusive payment. Therefore, the policy will not cost the school any money. The premium is collected by the school when the hire fee is paid and is remitted to the council s Insurance Service annually at year end. The premium rate for the cover is per 100 of fees received, net of VAT. It will be necessary for schools to keep two sets of records: one for those hirers who purchase this cover and who therefore pay an insurance premium and one for those hirers who have their own cover. A hiring form is available for download from the Insurance Service webpage. Please refer to the Insurance Service if you have any enquiries or questions about this cover. 11

13 16. Casualty Insurance: PTA Public Liability/Third Party Insurance This policy protects against the costs of paying damages (compensation) and legal fees arising out of legal liability claims made against the Parent Teacher Association by third parties who are injured or who contract a disease, or whose property is damaged, arising from the PTA s usual activities and as a result of the negligence of the PTA. A school might not have a formal PTA, but instead might rely upon a group of volunteers, including teachers. However, if a claim is made it will not matter in law whether liability arises from a formal PTA function or activity or from the activities of an informal group of volunteers. Liability will fall to all the individuals personally, and as such, cover even if not arranged through the council s Insurance Service must be in place to indemnify the individuals who organised or carried out the event or activity that gave rise to the claim. This cover may be purchased through the council s Insurance Service only if the PTA has not made alternative insurance arrangements (such as buying public liability cover through PTA-UK). Where the PTA purchases its own public liability insurance, schools should request evidence of this on an annual basis. Please note that fireworks displays are not covered automatically and therefore notification (including full details of the event and copies of risk assessments) must be given to the Insurance Service in advance of a display so that cover can be arranged. Any incident occurring that might give rise to a claim must be notified immediately to the Insurance Service. 17. Off-Site Activities Insurance This insurance provides cover for personal accident, cancellation expenses, medical expenses, personal effects and money in respect of any official trip that is made away from the school premises. It covers all pupils and accompanying adult supervisors for all trips made during the year. Schools must conform to all current and relevant off-site and hazardous activities regulations and guidelines. It is important for schools to note that any trip away from school premises, no matter how short it may be in terms of time and distance (e.g. a trip to the local park, swimming pool or museum) still constitutes an off-site activity and adequate controls and risk assessments, proportionate to the activity, and insurance must be in place. This policy does not cover accidents that occur on the school premises. 18. On-Site Insurance This insurance provides cover for personal accidents suffered by pupils only whilst undertaking normal school activities within the designated school boundaries and 12

14 whilst travelling directly to and from home. A limited amount of dental injury cover is also included. 19. Playground Equipment Insurance Equipment based permanently outside is excluded from the Buildings and Contents insurance described above. However, limited cover on the following playground equipment is available: o individual, specified fixed items of playground equipment excluding the item s safety survace; o individual, specified fixed items of playground equipment including the item s safety surface; o a whole adventure playground including its safety surface. Cover is available for the following defined perils only: fire; lightning; storm; flood; impact by vehicles or animals. Please note that malicious damage and theft are not covered. Claims are paid directly from the council s own internal insurance fund. If a pupil suffers a work-related injury as a result of using any playground equipment, i.e. the accident causing the injury arises out of or in connection with the school s usual activities or work (such as a failing in organisational or supervision arrangements, or is attributable to the failure, condition or maintenance of the equipment) a Wokingham Borough Council Incident Report Form must be completed and returned without delay to the council s Corporate Health and Safety team. Completed forms may be sent by to hrenquiries@wokingham.gov.uk or by post. 20. Supply Teacher and Support Staff Insurance Scheme Cover can be provided for individual schools in respect of all their teaching and ancillary staff. It is funded directly from the council s internal insurance fund. It pays a fixed level of compensation to schools arising from the absence of staff who are unable to carry out their usual duties because of injury or sickness. A deferred period during which compensation is not payable must be taken. The minimum period is dependent upon the School Census, although an extended deferred period can be requested, which will result in a lower premium. The benefit is payable for up to the first year of absence arising from an illness or an accident (a maximum period of 190 consecutive teaching days, including the deferred days) provided that the school renews cover at 1 April each year. Failing this, cover ceases for all absences beyond 31 March following the commencement of the period of absence. 13

15 Where a staff member returns to work and at a later date (but generally within 12 months) becomes absent again from the same or substantively the same cause, the absence will be treated as continuing: no further deferred period will be applied and the maximum period as defined above will apply in the aggregate to all absences arising from the single cause. The benefits under the Scheme may be payable in the following circumstances. 1. Absence arising from a personal accident suffered by an insured member of staff whether occurring whilst on duty or not. The deferred period does not apply to absences caused by an accident. 2. Absence arising from the illness of an insured member of staff. 3. Compassionate leave. The scheme allows for claims to be made in respect of compassionate leave of up to 5 days in any one policy year per insured person. This applies to the death, accident or illness of a spouse, child, parent or parentin-law, brother or brother-in-law, sister or sister-in-law, step-mother, step-father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew. The Scheme may be interpreted (at the discretion of the council s Insurance Manager) flexibly and sensitively in special circumstances such as a close personal relationship not defined in this paragraph. Some activities and circumstances are excluded from cover. These are: 1. attendance at interviews; 2. conferences/seminars; 3. house moves; 4. maternity leave; 5. jury service; 6. hospital/dental appointments; 7. war and nuclear risks including military service; 8. sickness related to alcoholism, drug addiction or substance abuse; 9. non-attendance where bad weather has prevented travel. Please note the following important points. 1. NNEB staff are to be treated as any other non-teaching member of staff for the purpose of premium calculation and the deferred period applicable to each and every claim. 2. All claims for absences exceeding 5 days must be supported by medical certificates (photocopies are requested; not the original certificate). 3. All claims for absences of less than 5 days must be supported by a copy of the self-certification form. 4. The reason for absence area on the claim form must be fully completed sickness/illness alone cannot be accepted. 5. Claims must be submitted monthly, using the correct claim forms available from the Insurance Service webpage and no later than 14 days after the end of each month to which the claim relates. 6. Claims should be sent by post to Insurance Officer, Insurance Service, Business Assurance and Democratic Services, Wokingham Borough Council, PO Box 152, 14

16 Shute End, Wokingham, Berks., RG40 1BN or by to 7. Any absence exceeding 3 months may be subject to review: the LEA may forward a questionnaire for immediate completion. A referral to the council s/school s occupational health provider may be required. 8. The decision by the Director of Business Assurance or nominated officer shall be final in the event of any dispute. Additional Scope of Insurance Named members of ancillary staff who are absent through sickness or accident are covered for up to 25 days during school holidays, in any one policy year, provided they would ordinarily have worked during the school holiday. The policy year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Number of Teachers Insured This must be declared by schools on the annual proposal form but will be reconciled with the January School Census return. Payment Methods Payment will be by journal transfer. Calculation of Premiums The premiums for teaching staff may be calculated on a pro rata aggregated FTE basis. The premium for ancillary staff must be applied in respect of each individual member of staff for whom cover is being purchased, irrespective of the hours worked. Details of the schemes and benefits available will be sent to schools annually along with the insurance options renewal forms for all the available insurances. 21. Other Insurance Policies Other insurance policies and advice can be offered on enquiry to the council s Insurance Service. Additional premiums and fees will be payable. 15