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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Staff absence insurance

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    What is your experience of working in partnership with local authorities to provide this type of insurance scheme?

     

    We have been working in partnership with local authorities to provide absence insurance schemes since 1992. We have worked with a wide range of authority types from small unitary authorities to large shires.

     

    We believe we are the market leader in this specific area having worked with more local authorities to provide staff absence insurance schemes than any other commercial provider.

     

     

    Can you provide references?

     

    Yes. However, we always request a client's specific agreement to provide a reference before we issue their contact details to any applicant.

     

     

    How do you manage to ensure that each absence scheme is designed to meet the needs of the local authority?

     

    We work in partnership with the authority to ensure that both the cover offered by the scheme and the administration of the scheme meet their needs.

     

    For example, some local authorities have specific additional cover requirements and we negotiate with insurers to ensure the scheme offers that protection. 

     

    As regards administration, we design schemes to operate according to the local authority's available resources and the level of control they wish to retain. 

     

    Each local authority has a designated account manager who works closely with authority representatives to identify and meet their needs. Regular meetings are held between our account managers and the local authority team.

     

     

    How do you ensure schools and local authorities comply with their obligations under the terms of the Data Protection Act?

     

    We do not use staff names when administering staff absence schemes. We ask schools to allocate unique ID numbers to scheme members; many schools opt to use payroll numbers.

     

    Our staff can only identify scheme members by their unique ID and date of birth. We take every precaution to ensure schools comply with data protection regulations.

     

     

  • Pupil personal accident insurance

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    My child has left school and is now at University. Can I still cover them through this policy?
     
    Yes, you would be able to cover your child as long as they are in full-time education up to the age of 23.
     
     
    My child enjoys a certain high-risk sport, for example rock climbing or winter sports. Are they covered whilst participating in this?
     
    Yes. Providing the insured child is under the supervision of an adult who has achieved an appropriate standard of proficiency as recognised by the relevant sports governing body or other appropriate and recognised sporting body.
     
     
    Is the cover UK only or is it world-wide?
     
    This insurance offers world-wide cover.

  • Educational activities insurance

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    Do schools have to notify you each time they go on a school trip?
     
    There is no need for the schools to notify BEST of when/where they are going. The premium payable is simply based upon the numbers on roll at the school, as advised by the council at renewal date, and is not affected by the number of trips taken.
     
     
    Can cover be extended to cover more adventurous activities such as winter sports and visits to places such as Africa?
     
    Yes, the policy can be tailored to suit the requirements of the council and its schools.
     
     
    Can other organisations such as youth clubs be included under your policy?
     
    Yes, some councils insuring with BEST have chosen to include not just schools but also youth and community groups.
     
     
    Can the policy limits be tailored to our specific requirements?
     
    Yes. Although the standard policy limits are usually adequate for most schools and councils they can be amended to suit specific requirements.
     
    Do you provide this type of insurance to many other schools & local authorities?
     
    Yes, many schools and local authorities choose the valuable protection afforded by the BEST facility. Please let us know if you would like to take a reference from a school or local authority and we will be pleased to help.
     
     
    Can we take out cover for incidents occurring on the school premises as well as away from them?
     
    Yes, a valuable addition to off-site cover can be on-site cover. This extension provides cover for incidents occurring on the school premises, for example, when playing sports on the school site.
     
     
     

     

  • Mutual fund consultancy

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    We have restricted resources and as a result we are not able to offer the choices of cover that the commercial insurers can. Can you help us with this?


    Yes, through analysis of historical data and combining this with trends and patterns, the consultants at BEST can use their expertise to help you to remodel your mutual fund so that you are able to offer a wide choice of benefits and excess levels.


    We have had deficits in past years and so we have not been able to offer premium stability to the schools. What can you offer to help solve this problem?


    We can help you to underwrite your scheme and ensure that equitable premiums/contributions are being applied. Once this has been established we can offer a level of insurance protection on your fund which can help provide stability.


    Our claims system is paper based and very time consuming for everyone involved. Do you have an electronic solution for this problem?


    Yes, BEST have partnered with an IT business specialising in providing electronic/online claims and database management systems for local authorities.


    More specifically, they have built an electronic claims system which is tailored to your scheme’s specifics and incorporates end to end claims management, and a suite of comprehensive reports off the back of it.


    Do you provide this type of service to other local authorities?


    BEST have pioneered a consultancy and advisory service for council run staff sickness funds. We will be pleased to put you in contact with any of our clients should you wish to establish our credentials.


    The number of schools within our scheme has reduced over recent years. How can your involvement bring schools back into our scheme?


    We can help you to make your fund more attractive to schools through:

     

     - consulting with you

     - development of an equitable rating mechanism; increasing the choice of benefits and options available to schools

     - improvement of documentation provision of fund stability

    - and simplification of claims management, which can enable faster claims settlement without the need for additional resources