Why do private teachers need insurance?
Private teachers encounter numerous risks that can lead to financial losses or legal troubles. Here are some typical situations where insurance is vital:
Unfulfilled expectations
If a student fails to achieve the anticipated results, they or their parents might hold you accountable and seek compensation.
Misunderstood comments
Remarks made during lessons can sometimes be misinterpreted, resulting in accusations of professional misconduct or legal action.
Student injuries
If a student gets injured while on your premises, they might hold you responsible for their medical expenses.
Damage to vital equipment
If your computer or laptop is damaged or stolen, replacing it can be costly and disrupt your teaching.
Professional indemnity insurance for teachers
Professional indemnity insurance safeguards teachers against claims of professional errors, negligence, or breach of duty. This insurance serves as an affordable safety net, covering legal defence costs if a student or their parents file a claim against you.
What does professional indemnity insurance cover?
Professional indemnity insurance covers teachers against claims or allegations of professional misconduct or mistakes. The coverage includes:
- Breach of duty of care
- Errors in teaching
- Negligent actions
- Incorrect advice or recommendations
For instance, you might face financial claims if:
- The educational institution that hired you believes your teaching methods didn't meet expectations and demands you cover the costs to fix the issue.
- A client claims compensation due to your actions leading to students dropping out and resulting in refunds.
- You accidentally disclose sensitive information about a student.
What professional indemnity limit do private teachers need?
Consider your contracts, the nature of your clients, the fees you earn, and the potential financial impact if your advice goes wrong. Many teachers opt for the lowest limit, but legal costs in complex cases can quickly escalate to hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Switching your professional indemnity insurance
In the UK, cancelling a professional indemnity policy usually means you can no longer make a claim. Therefore, if you switch your insurance provider, ensure your past work is covered under “retroactive cover,” so your previous work remains protected by the new policy.
Should I keep professional indemnity insurance if I am between jobs?
It's prudent to maintain your professional indemnity insurance if you take a break from teaching. Claims of professional misconduct can arise months or years after the work was completed. If a former client sues you and you’ve cancelled your insurance, you won’t be covered.
Decide how long to keep your cover based on the type of teaching you did and the likelihood of a claim. With Suited, you don’t pay full price if you stop teaching. You can hibernate your policy, staying insured for past work at a reduced cost, for as long as you need.
Public liability insurance for teachers
Public liability insurance protects teachers from claims of injury or property damage. It is crucial for those who work directly with students.
What does public liability insurance cover?
Public liability insurance covers legal defence and compensation costs if you are found liable for:
- Accidental injury or death
- Accidental property damage
For example:
- If a student slips and injures themselves at your premises, you might be responsible for their medical expenses if the student believes the injury was your fault.
- Even if you're using third-party premises, you might be liable for property damage, such as failing to secure a space where students leave valuables, resulting in loss or damage.
Other insurance private teachers buy
Commercial legal expenses insurance
Commercial legal expenses insurance protects you from various tax and legal issues not covered by professional indemnity or public liability insurance.
At Suited, we include £100,000 of commercial legal expenses insurance with helplines and tools to assist with these issues. This service, called Commercial Legal Expenses, is part of your subscription.
Commercial Legal Expenses offers advice and assistance with:
- Legal and tax matters related to your business
- Criminal prosecution
- Compliance and regulation issues
- Unpaid invoices over £200
For example:
- HMRC investigates your tax affairs.
- You need legal help to chase a significant unpaid invoice.
- You need guidance on compliance or regulatory issues.
- An educational institution terminates your contract without notice, and you wish to pursue a breach of contract claim.
Portable electronics insurance
Most teachers use a laptop or computer for teaching and record-keeping. Portable electronics insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing equipment, whether owned or hired, should it be damaged or lost.
Private teachers we insure
Suited offers comprehensive insurance policies that cater to the needs of a wide range of private teachers, including:
- Arts & crafts teachers
- Coding and programming teachers
- Computer science teachers
- English teachers
- History and social Studies teachers
- Homeschooling teachers
- Language teachers
- Lecturers
- Maths teachers
- Music teachers
- Photography teachers
- Reading and literacy teachers
- Science teachers
- Special education teachers
- Supply teachers
- Writing teachers
- and more..
Shopping for private teacher insurance
Whether you choose Suited insurance or another provider, consider the following:
Price isn’t everything
Some providers offer low prices but may lack after-sales service. Ensure your insurance provider is accessible. Suited offers multiple contact options and quick responses.
Insurer’s reputation matters
Insurance should be reliable when you need it. Check the payout reputation of insurers. Suited uses financially sound insurers with an A+ rating.
Additional charges to amend or cancel
Low initial prices often hide fees for monthly payments, amendments, or cancellations. Suited charges no extra fees, and you can cancel anytime without additional costs.
Restrictive policy wordings or high excess
Some providers offer low prices at the expense of coverage. Suited’s professional indemnity and public liability insurance have £0 excess.
