Sml Shield

Trusted by over 400,000 with their insurance needs

Sml Star

Our service is rated ‘Excellent’ on Feefo

Sml Agent (1)

Over 2000 insurance specialists ready to support you

How Do Insurers Work Out My School’s Risk Profile?

Have you ever wondered how your insurer works out the cost of your premiums? Emma Butcher, Head of Education at Towergate, joined our partners at Pearson Webb Consulting on The Safer Schools Podcast to discuss just what goes into an independent school’s risk profile.

Up Arrow

What’s in a risk profile?

When you’re looking to take out a policy, you’ll be asked a whole host of questions, the answers of which form what’s known as your risk profile. Insurers then use this risk profile to understand your risk and exposures and to calculate your premiums.

Emma goes through the key categories insurers are interested in when deciding a school’s risk profile, namely:

  • The type of school – day school or boarding, etc
  • Pupil demographics – including age and gender
  • Risk information – construction, fire and security details and sums insured
  • Risk Management Information – details of policies, procedures and protections in place such as H&S, Fire Risk Assessments and Safeguarding
  • Overview of activities including Out-of-hours operations - nursery provision, wrap around care, extracurricular classes and external hires
  • High-value items on and off site, g. fine art, machinery & plant, musical instruments and sporting equipment
  • Claims information – details of any past or ongoing claims

Together, all this information adds up to be your risk profile.

Up Arrow

It’s not supposed to be a one-person job

Remember, while obtaining the above information can seem daunting it isn’t up to one person to collect.

“You’re going to need to involve the right people in this process,” Emma says. That means instead of chasing all the answers yourself, make sure you involve all of the relevant parties around the school to collate and review this information, such as Estates.

Don’t be afraid of leaning on your broker, either – that’s what they’re there for. “Throw it all across to your broker,” Emma recommends. “Let them do the leg work for you.”

Listen to the full episode of The Safer Schools Podcast here. The Safe Schools Podcast - The Link Between Health & Safety Compliance and Insurance

Our partners at Pearson Webb Consulting Ltd are experts in the provision of risk assessments and health and safety assessments and training. Simply call 01438 739626 or email education@towergate.co.uk to find out more.

Services provided by Pearson Webb Consulting are non-regulated.

Towergate Insurance is a trading name of Advisory Insurance Brokers Limited. Registered in England Company No. 4043759, Registered Office: 2 Minster Court, Mincing Lane, London, EC3R 7PD. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This can be checked on the FCA’s register by checking the FCA website at www.fca.org.uk/register or by contacting them on 0800 111 6768.

carolyn-baker-mellor-care-insurance-articles-author.jpg Carolyn Baker-Mellor

Date: July 02, 2024

Category: Education


At a Glance

What’s in a risk profile?

It’s not supposed to be a one-person job


Related Articles