IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION ON SCHOOL CAPITAL INSURANCE, PLEASE CONTACT NIGEL SPEARS.
School Buildings (Capital Asset Occupied by the Governing Body)
The primary responsibility of the governing authority of a Catholic School/Academy is to occupy and conduct the school on behalf of the Landlord (Diocesan/Religious Order Trustees) and under the supervision of the Diocesan Bishop.
In occupying a Catholic School Site, the governing authority is responsible for the maintenance and development of the assigned asset(s) and for ensuring that they are correctly insured.
The Trustees of the Diocese of Westminster commissioned the Catholic Insurance Association (CIA) to develop a school buildings insurance solution that protected Diocesan/Religious Order assets and observed the principle of “the common good”. In response to this commission, the CIA established the “Catholic Schools, Academies and Colleges Property Insurance Scheme”, using the Catholic National Mutual Ltd and Zurich Municipal as co-insurers.
The Trustees of the Diocese of Westminster formally adopted the CIA scheme in 2012, requiring the governing authority of all schools/academies occupying trust assets to use the CIA scheme. Exceptions are permitted if the governing body can establish either of the following:
- The cover that the procure is identical in scope but the premium is lower, or
- The premium is identical but the cover offered is better than that offered through the CIA
Governing authorities seeking exemption from the approved scheme can submit full details to the CIA for review. If verified, the CIA will recommend acceptance. A small number of schools have successfully secured an alternative Insurance Package by following the CIA review (and Diocesan Trustee approval) process.
The CIA Capital Asset Insurance Scheme is available to all Catholic Schools, not just those in the Diocesan General Trust. Religious Order Schools, Sixth Form Colleges and Independent School are encouraged to consider the advantages of this scheme and to discuss insurance requirements with their own Trustees as required.
General Insurance Cover
In addition to the insurance of capital assets, Governors will seek to secure insurance for other areas of accountability/liability. The following table identifies the main types of insurances purchased by school, confirms the limitations of CIA cover, identifies packages that are normally available through local authorities and those that may have to be purchased directly.
| Standard Cover provided through the CIA scheme | Cover extensions available upon request through the CIA Scheme | Cover NOT provided by CIA but is normally by your Local Authority | Other covers NOT provided by CIA but that may be available upon request from your LA |
| All Risks Buildings Insurance All Risks Contents Insurance including all on-site ICT equipment Business Interruption Insurance. Limits (Primary School – £4M/24 Months), (Small Secondary School – £7M/36 Months), (Large Secondary School – £8.5M/48 Months) Contract Works Insurance (Automatic cover for projects up to £100,000) | Contract Works insurance (Contracts greater than £100,000) Insurance for portable computers (When taken off-site) Loss of Revenue (Fee income) Damage to Artificial Sports Pitches (MUGA) Money cover | Public Liability Employers Liability Engineering Inspections Insurance Libel & Slander Fidelity Guarantee Personal Accident School visits and journeys | Motor Policies Legal Expenses Staff Absence Insurance Deterioration of Stock Hirers Liability |