Higher education insurance for campus, students and mission
Coverage for colleges, universities, trade schools and other educational institutions, designed around the risks of higher education: campus facilities, student activities, governance, research and data.
Specialized education carriers
Insurance solutions for educational institutions
Higher education institutions face a complex set of risks, from protecting campus facilities and managing student activities to professional liability and cyber threats. First Underwriters works with carriers that specialize in educational institutions, with coverage for community colleges, four-year universities, graduate and professional schools, trade and vocational schools, seminary and religious colleges, and online and distance learning programs.
Risks we help institutions address
Campus security
Campus security and student safety concerns.
Title IX
Title IX compliance and sexual misconduct claims.
Athletics
Athletic programs and sports liability.
Research
Research activities and intellectual property.
Student data
Student data privacy and cyber threats.
International programs
Study abroad and international program risks.
Coverage for higher education
Property Insurance
Campus buildings, dormitories, libraries, laboratories, athletic facilities, equipment and valuable collections including art and archives.
General Liability
Bodily injury, property damage and personal injury claims from campus operations, events and activities involving students and visitors.
Educators Legal Liability
Wrongful acts in educational services, including errors in grading, academic decisions, disciplinary actions and failure-to-educate claims.
Directors & Officers
Trustees, regents, administrators and officers for wrongful acts in their management capacity, including employment practices and fiduciary liability.
Cyber Liability
Data breaches involving student records, research data and financial information, and FERPA compliance, including breach response and notification costs.
Sexual Misconduct / Title IX
Claims arising from sexual misconduct, harassment and Title IX investigations, including defense costs and settlements.
Additional coverage options
Athletic programs
Sports liability, participant accident and athletic department coverage.
Student health
Health center liability and student health insurance programs.
Study abroad
International travel, emergency evacuation and foreign liability.
Research liability
Research activities, clinical trials and intellectual property.
Crime & fidelity
Employee dishonesty, forgery, theft and computer fraud.
Fiduciary liability
Retirement plan administration and employee benefits.
Auto & fleet
Campus vehicles, shuttle buses and hired/non-owned auto.
Umbrella liability
Excess coverage beyond primary policy limits.
Experience with educational institutions
Education focus
We understand regulatory compliance, student safety and institutional governance in higher education.
Specialized carriers
Access to carriers that specialize in educational institution risks and campus environments.
Risk assessment
A thorough review of your exposures so coverage fits every area of operation.
Claims advocacy
When claims occur, we work toward fair and timely resolution with your institution's reputation in mind.
Common questions about higher education insurance
What makes higher education insurance different from general commercial insurance?
Institutions face exposures such as student safety responsibilities, Title IX compliance, athletic program risks, research activities and complex governance structures. Specialized policies address these with tailored coverage forms, appropriate limits and industry-specific endorsements that generic commercial policies don't provide.
Does our institution need separate cyber liability coverage?
Yes. Educational institutions are frequent targets for cyberattacks because of the volume of sensitive student data, research information and financial records they hold. A dedicated cyber policy covers breach response, regulatory fines, business interruption and ransomware. FERPA requirements make adequate cyber coverage essential.
How does Title IX affect our insurance needs?
Title IX claims related to sexual misconduct and harassment have increased significantly. Standard general liability policies often exclude or limit coverage for these claims. Specialized sexual misconduct liability coverage provides defense costs and indemnification for Title IX investigations and lawsuits.
What coverage do we need for study abroad programs?
Study abroad programs call for foreign liability coverage, emergency medical and evacuation insurance, and trip cancellation protection. Domestic policies may not respond to claims overseas. We can help structure coverage that protects students, faculty and the institution during international programs.
What information do you need to provide a quote?
Enrollment figures, number of employees, property values, program offerings, athletic activities, research operations and current insurance coverage, plus loss history for the past five years.
Ready to protect your institution?
Tell us about your campus, programs and current coverage, and we'll put together options with specialized education carriers.
Coverage descriptions are general summaries for education. They are not legal, tax or coverage advice, a statement of coverage, an offer or a binder. Coverage, limits and eligibility are governed by the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies issued and are subject to underwriting.