Says Glenrand MIB’s director John Horne: “we offer a group policy to schools that will cover a child as a result of an injury. Generally the premiums are covered in the school fees but some schools make the cover elective."

Not all schools subscribe to a policy of this nature but with the costs of medical treatment escalating it is certainly worthwhile to investigate the implementation of this kind of cover. The premiums range from R300 to R500 per year per child depending on the claims record of the school.

Horne says that “a linked issue is the increased demand for reconstructive surgery, with the lower rand, medical expenses for sports injuries are likely to be affected and costs are expected to increase dramatically. In this changing scenario it is imperative for schools to offer students personal accident, disability and medical covers for school-related accidents and incidents”.

Although rates are hardening, on a school-by-school basis, such covers could be reasonably priced and moreover, they protected against claims on medical aid. Many families do not have comprehensive medical cover and the costs of treating an injured child would have to be paid out of the medical savings plan.

Also on offer is cover for loss of school fees if a student's studies were to be interrupted by injury or illness. The quantums of this type of cover could be quite extensive in that school fees are soaring in both in the private and public sectors. Glenmib has offered schools insurance cover since the 1950s, but the profile of such covers have altered radically to meet changing needs.