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Last updated: 25-04-2024. From web page: Motor (School Minibus) Insurance.

School Minibus Motor Insurance Service Level Agreement

SLA 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026

Note

Please read this document carefully and if you have any questions on either the cover or services provided then, in the first instance please contact insurance@southampton.gov.uk noting that schools are required to confirm their intentions by no later than 28 February 2025.

Introduction

As previously advised the previous SCC Insurance Service Level Agreements (‘the SLAs’) are to be discontinued from 31 March 2025 with schools needing to make alternative arrangements from
1 April 2025.

It is anticipated that schools will opt into the Department for Education’s ‘Risk Protection Arrangement’ (‘RPA’) scheme which is promoted as a cost-effective alternative to conventional insurance however, it is recognised that the RPA scheme does not currently include motor insurance. It will therefore be necessary for those schools opting into the RPA scheme to separately arrange motor insurance cover for their school minibus(es).

To assist schools, the council will continue to offer motor insurance cover in respect of School Minibuses (as it has done so for those schools who had previously opted into the RPA scheme). The cover will also be available on a standalone basis to any school who may choose to arrange their own insurance programme from 1st April 2025.

In all cases, schools are required to confirm their intention regarding motor insurance by no later than 28 February 2025.

In addition to the motor insurance cover, schools will have access to an experienced in-house insurance team who deliver a professional and approachable service that provides helpful and pragmatic advice, support and guidance. The service operates the following service standards:

  • New Claims - Set up and acknowledged - within two working days;
  • General Claims Correspondence - within five working days;
  • Telephone calls - returned within one working day.

Motor Insurance Cover

The following is a summary of the motor insurance cover that is provided. It does not include the full terms and conditions of the cover and any query regarding cover should be directed to the Risk and Insurance Services Section (see service contact details in Section 3).

Insurer What's covered Limit/excess
*Travelers Insurance Company

Comprehensive insurance in respect of loss or damage caused by:

  • Accidental means including malicious damage;
  • Fire; and
  • Theft or attempted theft.
  • Unlimited limit of indemnity in respect of death or injury to third parties and a limit of £5m in respect of damage to third party property.

Excess - £ nil (except in respect of own damage where a £100 excess applies).

Note: Authorised persons driving the vehicle are expected to be MiDAS trained.

*Please note that the above reflects the cover currently provided under the 2024-25 motor insurance policy noting that the council is currently out to tender for a new corporate insurance programme from 1 April 2025. Whilst no significant changes in the scope of cover are expected, there may be a different insurance provider appointed.

The annual premium cost per vehicle from 1 April 2025 will be £800 which reflects the responses received from bidders in respect of the motor element of the insurance tender.

In advance of 1 April 2025 those schools opting into this arrangement will receive a new motor insurance certificate for the forthcoming annual period.

Please note that schools are responsible for ensuring that any acquisitions or disposals of minibuses in the period (for which there will be a pro rata charge or rebate) are reported in advance to the council’s Risk & Insurance Section in order that they can update the information held on the Motor Insurance Database (‘MID’). The ‘MID’ is a national database that holds motor insurance policy information for all insured vehicles and is used by the Police to establish who is insured to drive the vehicle. Failure to ensure that the data is correct and up to date may incur a fine.

Should a school transfer to academy status during the period of this SLA then motor insurance cover provided will cease from the date of transfer and the Schools Finance Team will provide a premium rebate on a pro rata basis.

Service contacts and performance review

  1. The key service contact is:
    Peter Rogers, Risk and Insurance Manager
    Tel: 023 8083 2835
    E-mail: peter.rogers@southampton.gov.uk
  2. In addition, any general insurance, risk and claims related enquiries or other comment relating to service may be sent to the following mailbox: insurance@southampton.gov.uk