Insurance for Schools in Florida

In the dynamic state of Florida, educational institutions face a wide array of risks that can significantly impact their operation, financial stability, and reputation. From natural disasters to liability claims and unforeseen incidents, schools must be adequately prepared to handle any potential challenges. 

Florida's geographic location makes it susceptible to severe weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and tropical storms. With their vulnerable structures and many occupants, schools are particularly at risk during such occurrences. Additionally, day-to-day activities within schools present inherent risks, including accidents, injuries, and potential liability issues.



Comprehensive insurance coverage is crucial in safeguarding schools from devastating losses and ensuring a secure environment for students, staff, and administrators.

Bellken Insurance Group is one of the leading insurance coverage providers for schools in Florida. We have an extensive portfolio of products tailored to meet educational institutions' specific needs and requirements. Our policies are designed to provide a comprehensive solution that covers all potential risks, from property damage to cyber liability. 

We understand that each school is unique, so we offer customized plans based on individual school needs. Our team of dedicated professionals is available to help assess your requirements and provide you with the most cost-effective insurance solution. 



Contact us today to discuss how we can help provide your school with the best insurance coverage in Florida.

In Florida, educators' professional liability insurance is a form of school insurance designed to protect teachers, administrators, and other staff from legal actions due to alleged negligence or malpractice. This can help schools pay for judgments from claims that an employee has caused harm to a student or third party through some error in judgment, inadequate supervision, or other negligent act.

Educators' professional liability insurance in Florida can be purchased as a standalone policy, or it may be included as part of a comprehensive school insurance package. It is important to understand the specific coverage you are purchasing and to review your policy closely.

In some cases, educators' professional liability policies may be "claims-made" rather than "occurrence-based," meaning that the policy must be in force at the time a claim is made, as well as when the events giving rise to the claim took place. Policies may also provide only limited coverage for some claims, such as those involving sexual misconduct or gross negligence.

Educators' professional liability insurance policies usually include coverage for legal defense costs and judgments related to an incident. They may also provide coverage for emotional distress and punitive damages, though limits on these types of damages are often included in the policy.

General liability insurance is a fundamental coverage for ensuring the financial stability of schools. This type of insurance provides protection against claims resulting from accidents and incidents that take place on school grounds or during school-sponsored activities. Specifically, this policy covers: 

• Bodily Injury Claims: Covers medical expenses if someone is injured on school property or during an activity supervised by staff. 
• Property Damage Claims: Covers repairs or replacements of any property that is damaged on school premises or during a school activity. 
• Personal and Advertising Injury Claims: Offers protection against third-party claims alleging libel, slander, invasion of privacy, or wrongful eviction.
• Medical Payments Coverage: Pays for immediate medical expenses related to an injury suffered due to the school's negligence, regardless of fault.

General liability insurance is a critical component of any comprehensive Florida school insurance policy. It provides invaluable protection in the event that liability claims are filed against the school or its employees for incidents involving students, staff, or visitors to the premises.

Property insurance, also known as commercial property insurance, is a fundamental coverage for schools in Florida. This insurance protects educational institutions from financial losses resulting from damage or destruction of school buildings, equipment, inventory, and furnishings due to covered perils. 

In Florida, schools are susceptible to various hazards, including hurricanes, floods, fires, and vandalism. Having property insurance ensures that schools can recover and rebuild in the aftermath of such incidents. 

Property insurance policies are tailored to the needs of each school and can be customized to include protection for loss or damage caused by natural disasters, construction defects, theft, and other risks. Depending on the coverage selected, additional insured items may include computers and electronic equipment, furniture and fixtures, sporting equipment, books and media collections, jewelry, and artwork.

Workers' compensation insurance is a type of liability insurance that provides medical benefits and wage replacement for employees injured on the job. In Florida, employers are required by law to purchase workers' compensation insurance if they have at least four employees, including full-time, part-time, and temporary workers. 

Schools in Florida must maintain a valid workers' compensation policy to cover all their employees for job-related injuries and illnesses. 

Workers' compensation insurance provides financial security for both employers and employees. Employees who suffer on-the-job injuries or illnesses receive medical treatment, reimbursement for lost wages, and other benefits while the employer is protected from potential lawsuits. Employers can also benefit from reduced premiums by implementing safety programs and encouraging workplace safety practices.

Commercial auto insurance is a type of business liability insurance that provides coverage for all vehicles owned and operated by the school. In the state of Florida, schools must purchase commercial auto insurance to protect against financial losses resulting from automobile accidents, including property damage and bodily injury claims. 

Commercial auto policies provide protection for all drivers who are authorized to operate school-owned vehicles, including buses, vans, and cars. 

Coverages included in commercial auto policies for schools in Florida are: 

• Liability coverage provides protection up to policy limits for expenses related to bodily injury or property damage resulting from a school vehicle collision. 
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects against losses due to motorists who do not have adequate insurance. 
• Medical payments coverage pays for the medical expenses of injured passengers, drivers, and pedestrians. 
• Collision coverage covers the cost of repairs to a school vehicle damaged in an accident. 
• Comprehensive coverage protects against physical damage to a school vehicle caused by non-collision incidents such as theft or vandalism. 

It is important to note that commercial auto insurance policies for schools in Florida may also include additional coverages tailored specifically to the school’s needs. For instance, coverage can be added for rental vehicles or extra liability protection in case of a catastrophic accident.

As technology becomes more integrated into education, schools in Florida face an increased risk of cyber threats and data breaches. Cyber liability insurance helps protect schools from the financial losses that can occur when sensitive information is exposed or stolen. 

Cyber liability coverage includes a range of protections, such as data breach and privacy protection, cyber extortion, computer fraud, and identity theft coverage. It also provides financial assistance for legal fees if a school is sued for negligence in protecting student data. Cyber liability insurance also covers the costs of restoring data if an attack is successful. 

In addition, cyber liability insurance also includes access to risk management services, including expert advice and guidance on how to stay safe from cyber threats. Many policies also provide training and educational resources that help schools understand the risks associated with data breaches and how to prevent them.

Schools in Florida also need to consider Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) for protection from employee-related risks. EPLI provides coverage in case an employee sues the school for wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, or other labor law violations. 

EPLI policies can also provide protection against third-party claims of discrimination from applicants who applied for a job but were not selected. This type of coverage can help protect schools from the financial losses if an applicant files a discrimination charge or a lawsuit. 

EPLI also includes legal assistance in case of an investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or other government agencies. The policy provides coverage for attorney fees, court costs, and settlements. 

In addition, EPLI helps protect schools from liability associated with employee benefits such as vacation or paid time off. If an employee claims they were not given the correct amount of leave time or other benefits, EPLI can help cover legal costs associated with defending against the claim.