New online insurance offering for primary schools, with AI-powered intelligence

Primary schools can now source insurance enabled by AI-powered data in minutes, thanks to a new online service from Zurich Municipal.

The new web-based platform means any individual primary school not currently insured by Zurich can arrange a package of cover by answering only around ten yes or no questions.

The system uses AI-powered intelligence to gather information about the school building and its location, meaning schools get insurance which is matched to their circumstances without having to answer lots of detailed questions and the transaction can be completed in a few clicks.

Schools are able to speak to the Zurich Municipal team if they prefer but the new service should make it easier for schools, whether academy or run by a local authority, to shop around at renewal time to make sure they are getting the best possible value for money.

Claims for primary schools range from the most common, which are water leaks at an average cost of £17,000, to much rarer incidents such as fires and explosions which result in claims averaging a quarter of a million pounds. Zurich Municipal insurance also protects schools from losses because of incidents such as data breaches or accidents on site.

Will Paskins, Head of Digital Trading & Partnerships at Zurich Municipal said:

“Insurance can be complex and schools are time poor, but we can use our 30 years of experience protecting the public sector and insuring schools of all sizes to make life easier. We offer unique services to help schools manage their risks, plus we have highly experienced claims specialists on hand to help minimise disruption if the worst does happen.

“No two schools are the same and that’s why we’ve created this system with the latest intelligence behind it, to ensure the circumstances and needs of individual schools aren’t overlooked. We get lots of great feedback about our product and services, and we’re happy to launch this new online route to make it even easier for schools to protect themselves with us.”

Zurich Municipal is the largest insurer of schools and the leading alternative to the government’s Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA), which provides state-funded cover for schools instead of traditional insurance.

School insurance with Zurich Municipal also offers:

• Risk expertise to help identify the risks facing your school and advice on what to do about them
• Safer schools, a safeguarding ecosystem and app provided by Ineqe which helps empower and educate school colleagues, parents and pupils
• The option of accessing surface water flood alerts, powered by Previsico
• Legal services via ARAG, reducing the need to pay for legal advice and support

Zurich is also a leading provider of motor insurance and engineering inspection services to academies.

Notes to editors

Cover summary for the insurance package for primary schools:

• Material damage ‘all risks’ (buildings and contents): included (see schedule for limit of liability)
• Business interruption:
  • £4,000,000 Additional expenditure
  • £1,000,000 Loss of gross revenue
• Money: included
• Works in progress: £250,000
• Computers: included
• Public liability: £25,000,000
• Employers’ liability: £25,000,000
• Governors’ liability: £5,000,000
• Hirer’s liability: £2,000,000
• Libel and slander: £2,000,000
• Personal accident: included
• School journeys: included
• Fidelity guarantee: £1,000,000
• Legal expenses: £250,000
• Deterioration of stock: £5,000