Sandusky scandal prompts carriers to reassess policies
Due to the Penn State scandal over Sandusky and the incidents of sexual abuse/molestation, insurance carriers are now more apt to tighten underwriting and require more information from schools regarding their preventive measures.
“Insurers will require more data from colleges to find out what other programs they may offer. I think insurers will pay more attention to what takes place during summer months, all the camps that take place, what procedures are in place and how schools are monitoring the environment,” said Bill Waldorf, president of a brokerage that offers insurance for schools.
Waldorf also pointed that all higher education facilities have exposures to children because they provide daycare, childhood learning programs, athletic activities and/or summer camps.
In addition, m
any high school students who are either taking advanced placement courses or visiting for recruitment purposes , and other youth on campus for athletic events, concerts, and faith-based programs are all vulnerable.
Most General Liability underwriters in the sports and recreation niche will be looking for the following elements as a precondition for offering sexual abuse/molestation coverage:
- Criminal background checks on all paid and volunteer staff with access to youth
- Written policies and procedures to make an incident less likely to occur
- Written allegation response plan including a requirement to notify law enforcement
Also, many college and university insurance carriers may no longer underwrite camp exposure and may require camps to take out their own General Liability including coverage for sexual abuse and molestation. Here is the link to the Sadler Camp Insurance Program.
We have more information on sexual abuse and molestation risk management in our library.
