All you need to know about insurance for teachers and tutors
Teaching is one of the most rewarding professionals, but do you need insurance? If so, what kind of insurance do you need to teach? Find out everything you need to know about insuring yourself as a teacher or tutor in this guide.
Do I need insurance as a teacher?
If you're employed as a full-time or part-time teacher in a school, you don't need teacher insurance. Your employer will be responsible for having insurance in place to protect the staff, students, and general public.
However, if you're a private teacher or tutor and you work from home or visit your pupils to teach them in their homes, then you should consider teaching insurance.
While not a legal requirement, teacher insurance can provide protection for you and your pupils, and give you both peace of mind.
What types of insurance do teachers need?
There are various types of business insurance that can help cover you as a teacher:
Public liability insurance for teachers
Public liability insurance is essential if you teach students from your home, their home, or on hired teaching premises.
This will protect you against any personal accident or property damage claims e.g. damaging a client's property whilst you're in their home or if someone trips over any equipment you brought with you.
a student falling down stairs whilst in your care, or any damage to someone else's property, e.g. if you accidentally spill a drink on a student's laptop or tablet.
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance covers your legal costs and compensation payments if a client makes a claim against you for negligent services or advice.
If, for example, one of your students failed an exam and a claim was made against you that you gave them incorrect advice or were negligent in your teaching, professional indemnity insurance will cover the cost of fighting that claim.
Employers' liability insurance
Employers' liability insurance is the only insurance you're required to have by law if you employ tutors or any other employees as part of your tutoring business. This offers protection if one of your employees becomes injured or sick as a result of working for you.
If an employee makes a claim, employers' liability insurance can help you pay them compensation without suffering significant financial loss.
Business contents insurance
Business contents insurance is crucial if you own a lot of your own teaching equipment. It can offer cover and replacement of loss, damaged, or stolen items, including laptops, tablets, textbooks, projectors, and additional teaching materials.
Any furniture and fixture and fittings in a dedicated teaching space may also be included in your business contents insurance policy, but always read the small print to ensure you're covered for everything you need.
If you work from home, you may already be covered with your existing home contents insurance, providing the belongings are your personal property and aren't owned by your business. Check your policy terms or speak to your insurance provider to see if you are covered, or whether you require specific business contents insurance.
Small business insurance
If you're employing a number of people and running a small business, look into small business insurance to ensure you're covered specifically for needs.
There are a number of benefits to this type of insurance, including the fact you could get each type of cover mentioned above in one single policy for a cheaper price than purchasing them individually.
Income protection insurance
Income protection insurance can help support you financially for a set period of time if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury.
Critical illness insurance
Critical illness insurance offers a tax-free, lump-sum payment if you’re diagnosed with a serious medical condition. It's often an add-on to life insurance, and is recommended to help cover costs if you get ill.
Business life insurance
Business life insurance provides a financial payout if a you or an important person within your business - such as a business partner or employee - were to die, or suffer from a serious illness.
Is business insurance a legal requirement for teachers and tutors?
Business insurance isn't a legal requirement if it is just you teaching as an individual. However, if you're employing others to teach within your tutoring business, it is a legal requirement to have employers' liability insurance.
It's worth noting that a lot of agencies won't put you on their books unless you have insurance in place. So if you're considering looking for tutoring work via an agency, it's important to have the right level of teacher insurance.
How much does insurance cost for teachers and tutors?
The cost of teacher or tutor insurance depends on a number of factors, including:
The type of cover you require
Whether you're an individual or running a business
The level of cover you wish to take out and any add-ons
You can compare business insurance quotes in minutes with MoneySuperMarket to get the right protection at a price that fits your circumstances.
Do I need insurance for freelance work marking exams or coursework?
Some examining bodies may require you to have insurance when marking exam papers or if you're freelancing as an exam invigilator, while others may not. It's important to ask before you commit to a start date, so you have time to purchase the necessary insurance required.
Am I covered by teaching insurance if I teach students abroad?
Yes, teaching abroad is usually covered in your policy, but you must declare this to your insurer when taking out this type of cover. If you don't, your insurance may not be valid.
Read our guide to working abroad travel insurance to find out more about insurance cover when teaching abroad.
Do I need cover if I'm teaching online?
Teaching online comes with its own set of challenges and risks, and you should still consider insurance. This is especially relevant if you are a form of dance teacher and are teaching students how to dance online.
If someone were to injure themselves during one of your sessions, insurance can offer protection if they were to then make a claim against you.
Are there any restrictions on teacher insurance?
You typically wouldn't require teacher insurance if you are an employee of a school or other type of business. In this case, it would be your employer's responsibility to provide the necessary insurance cover and they would take responsibility for claims of property damage or negligence.
However, the types of teacher insurance that protect you personally, like income protection or life insurance with critical illness cover, can still be worth considering. If you have dependents that rely on your income or are the main earner in your household, these insurance types can help you keep on top of your finances if you're unable to work.
As always, it's worth checking policy documents before committing to any insurance to ensure the nature of your teaching or tutoring is included, in addition to any specific cover you require.
