It is also important to ensure that the insurance includes cover for possible personal liability (‘third party insurance’) for all adults who are responsible for students on the trip. 

Any existing school/college policy ought to be checked carefully, particularly in independent schools. 

Examples of cover that may be needed on a school or college trip:

• employers liability
• public liability
• personal accident cover for teacher/lecturers, other adults and students
• costs of medical treatment
• specialised risk activities
• damage to or loss of hired equipment
• programmed and non-programmed activities
• expenses in emergencies
• cancellation and delay
• loss of baggage and personal property
• legal fees in costs of recovery
• bankruptcy of provider.   

It is essential to know what risks are excluded from a policy – for example, some policies exclude horse riding. Such an exclusion could be critical if the package includes pony trekking or riding. The standard employer’s liability insurance provided by the school/ college or local authority may not provide cover for this risk.

Help and advice

For more detailed advice, please refer to ATL's publication Taking students off-site.

For individual queries, please contact ATL's London office, e-mail the helpdesk, or contact your branch secretary. You may also wish to call the out-of-office-hours helpline.

If you need confidential support and advice, don't forget you can also call ATL's stress, crisis or legal helplines.