Understand school insurance policies

FOR NEWCOMERS to France, it can be confusing when your child first starts school and there are so many forms to complete and new systems. One frequent point of confusion is the question of assurance scolaire and whether is it obligatory. Here we explain more about this.

What is it?

Assurance scolaire (school insurance) is a policy to cover your child against the risks they may face at school, as well as the risks they may pose to other children and objects.

Is it compulsory?

Strictly speaking, it is not compulsory, as schools have a legal responsibility for students within normal school hours. However, the French government has advised families to take it out in the best interest of the child, and the majority of schools will ask for some proof of it.

Furthermore, it is obligatory to have school insurance for extra-curricular activities and trips that take place out of school hours. Sports clubs and associations will also ask for proof of insurance before your child can sign up. Insurance specifically for sport can be expensive, so it makes sense to have a policy to cover all these activities.

What does it cover?

An assurance scolaire policy has two essential parts. The first is a garantie responsabilité civile which will cover any damage your child may cause to third party objects or people. The second is a garantie accident corporel, which means you are insured in the case that your own child is injured. Some policies include expenses such as childcare costs if the child has to stay at home due to health problems or psychological care in the case of bullying. The company also pays a capital sum in case of injury or death.

Is my child not covered under my household insurance policy?

Although your household insurance policy may cover any accidents your child has in the house, it may not cover incidents outside of the home and will not cover medical expenses incurred. You may decide to stick with home insurance third party policy, especially if it is partnered with a personal injury cover for your child. However, school insurance also covers instances such as the theft of school bags or school equipment. It also may give good cover on optical and dentist care which are not well reimbursed by the state (or all mutuelles). What is more, household policies will often require an excess on any payout (you pay the first €75 of the bill incurred, for example) whereas a school insurance policy may not.

How much will it cost me?

School insurance policies can be taken out from €10 per child, per year. The price can reach around €30 depending on the level of cover you want. (Any damage to third-parties at school is covered as standard).
You also need to decide whether you wish to cover just school activities and transport, or to extend the policy to assurance extrascolaire. With this your child will have 24-hour cover at all times, including weekends, holidays, on summer camps and during sport.
How do I find a policy?
One way to find school insurance is to ask your current insurer provider if they offer such a policy. Another way is to look into whether there is a group offer available at your child’s school, especially if it is in the private sector. A lot of policies can also be found online and it is also possible to arrange through the main parent’s federations, PEEP and FCPE. MAE (mae.fr) is a long-established company specialising in school insurance that offers four levels, ranging from €11 to €36.50 per child per year.

How do I apply?

There is a straightforward application form. You just need to put in your name, address, occupation, the name and sex of your child, their school and the level of cover that you want. If you change your child’s school, you must inform the insurance provider.

Insurance vocabulary

Dès le premier euro - with no excess
Franchise – excess
Accidents subis ou causés - accidents undergone or caused
Frais de garde - childcare costs
Soutien psychologique en cas de racket - Counselling where the child has been subject to bullying for money etc
Vol de cartable - theft of schoolbag
Ecole à domicile - schooling at home