CALABASAS, CA
Joseph Norena’s firm, Bridge Norena and Associates, has helped educators and administrators meet their insurance needs for over thirty-five years, long enough to witness how easy it is for certain erroneous beliefs to form regarding what school accident plans really are, what they cover, what they don’t and how schools can best leverage them.
Mr. Norena has put together a list of the five most common misconceptions currently circulating on this topic.
Misconception #1 — A basic student accident plan covers all elements of the student experience.
According to Norena, it’s often taken for granted that student accident policies cover students both at school and while participating in any school-affiliated function, from most team practices to senior prom. This is not the case. The basic student accident policy covers registered students only during essential “school time” activities: class, recess, physical education etc. For extracurricular and off-campus activities, such as field trips and school sponsored sports, an additional layer of coverage is required.
Misconception #2 — Basic student accident plans are “all-risk” policies
When it comes to insuring a school and its students, there are more risk dimensions in play than most administrators realize. “Basic student accident plans do not provide coverage for sickness nor do they compensate parents for time taken off work to take their child to see a physician,” Norena says. “It’s important to know where all of these coverage gaps are in your student accident insurance plan.”
Misconception #3 — Student accident plans take the place of family health insurance
When a child sustains an injury at school, the family’s health insurance is the primary insurer not the school accident plan. The school accident plan acts as the secondary insurer; it may be able to provide some relief in certain areas left uncovered or under-covered by the family health insurance.
Misconception #4 — If an injured student is covered by a student accident plan, then the family does not need to take any action.
Not true. As Norena points out, ”Student accident plans are ‘claims-made.’ The family must submit medical statements along with a corresponding explanation of benefits.” Norena goes on to urge families to take action as soon as possible following an injury, and to be aware of the benefit period, which usually spans one calendar year from the injury date.
Misconception #5 — School volunteers cannot be covered on a student accident policy
Another common misconception; according to Norena, “[A student accident policy] can be endorsed to provide an additional layer of protection…and can help pick up the costs for medical treatment left unpaid or not covered by the volunteer’s primary health insurance.”
These statements are intended for general information and educational purposes only. The material is intended, but not promised to complete, or up to date and should in no way be taken as an indication of future or current practice.*
About Bridge Norena & Associates Insurance Agency
Bridge Norena & Associates is a family owned and operated insurance agency that provides a number of diverse insurance products to various types of state-licensed facilities within California. Its insurance services include package policies, business auto, workers’ compensation, student accident, special event and more. For more information, please call (818) 225-1627, visit http://www.bridgenorena.com/ or follow them on Facebook. The office is located at 23875 Ventura Blvd., Suite 105, Calabasas, CA 91302.
About the NALA™
The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALA’s mission is to promote a business’ relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. The information and content in this article are not in conjunction with the views of the NALA. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361
