Advice for booking a school trip; insurance and other safety and protection.

Thursday, 10th August 2023

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The department of Education have handy advice for anyone booking a school trip; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/schools-covid-19-operational-guidance#educational-visits 

They describe that due to the “likely gap in COVID-19 related cancellation insurance” that you need to ensure your travel provider is able to offer you a significant level of protection too. As well as our comprehensive Covid Assurance, any bookings with us are financially protected through ABTOT bonding and ATOL (https://www.discover-the-world.com/study-trips/about-us/). Our dedicated Travel Specialists are also on hand to help you to understand what the destination entry requirements mean for your school group.  

Despite having you covered in many aspects, choosing the right insurer has never been more important…. 

Our Covid Assurance goes a long way in protecting you and your students’ money, but our Assurance covers your group as a whole. Therefore, you need to make sure you have an insurance policy that protects you and your students on a personal level and for all scenarios.  

To help you with this, we have put together a quick, handy guide to choosing your school trip insurance provider… 

What is their COVID-19 cover?

2 years ago, Covid wasn’t even part of our vocabulary, now it is probably the most important detail to look for in choosing your provider.  

“You need to ensure that your chosen provider has Covid as a specific inclusion.”

For example, we are able to offer you an insurance policy which covers the following:  

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  • If you test positive for Covid-19 from a PCR test before you travel 
  • If you are denied entry to your destination due to covid health checks at the border  
  • If you have Long Covid  
  • If you are contacted by test and trace, resulting in your need to self-isolate 

Please note: Disinclination to vaccinate would result in you not being insured and if a covid test before departing on your trip is required and your test result is not back in time you will not be insured also. 

“You will need to check how your provider plans to handle the logistics if anyone tests positive for Covid, meaning they must self-isolate in destination. “ 

  • The insurance policy we are able to offer insures a teacher to stay out in destination, if a student gets Covid.  
  • Please note: Parents will not be insured to fly out to stay with their child.  
  • This cover will include any medicine and bed and board, plus operational costs such as change of flights.  

The full details of how our selected insurance will cover you for Covid can be discussed with your Travel Specialist, who will provide you with the policy wording.  

Does your travel insurance have the correct accreditation?

“You need to make sure your chosen insurance provider can offer you the correct level of protection, such as being regulated by the FCA. Independent advice on insurance cover and options can be sought from the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA).” 

We are able to provide you with cover from Campbell Irvine, who are members of BIBA and are regulated by the FCA. Campbell Irvine insurance is underwritten by Allianz UK, the CEO of Allianz is currently the chair of ABI.  

Travel Disruption Support:  

Unforeseen circumstances, such a volcano eruption, can be harder to insure. We recommend that you rely on your travel provider to give you as much support as possible in these circumstances.  

We are proud of our excellent reputation for looking after our clients, should the unexpected occur. Before and during your trip, our expert Travel Disruption team are on call 24 hours a day to help you should anything happen to disrupt your travel plans. If a natural hazard disrupts your trip, we will provide ongoing support and make suitable travel arrangements for you. As a registered Tour Operator, Discover the World Ltd will cover associated costs as required under the Package Travel Regulations 2018. 

What else to consider with insurance?  

As with any travel insurance, you need to consider how much medical cover you will receive, as well as cover for your personal liability and personal affects.  

If you decide to book your travel insurance through us, your Travel Specialist will send you the policy wording.  

You can find more information on insurance from The Association of British Insurers (ABI)’s website: https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/topics-and-issues/coronavirus-hub/  

Additional safety cover from Discover the World Education:

We have a full and comprehensive Safety Management System. We are assured members of the School Travel Forum, a professional trade association which upholds best in class health and safety processes within its membership. We have also been awarded the Quality Badge by Learning Outside the Classroom. This means we have already been pre-approved by the Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel in recognition for our safety standards as well as planning and provision of educational tours to meet schools’ academic or pastoral needs. The UK Government’s Department for Education recommends booking residential tours with a Quality Badge holder.  

Our Health and Safety Guidance Documents for each destination cover everything in your itinerary and reflect Covid measures where relevant. Our code of practice and supplier auditing protocols have been updated in light of Covid to ensure suppliers have appropriate POSI (Prevention of Spread of Infection) measures in place.  

In addition to this, we have worked closely with our suppliers to try to offer you additional teacher places for as little extra per person as possible. Your dedicated Travel Specialist will be able to talk to you about the cost of improving your staff ratios.  

If you have any more questions, you will be able to find the answer in our FAQs section or by talking to your Travel Specialist.  

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