The insurance parents pay for: what you need to know

It is a paradox of the education system: every year, as part of the "parental payments" at the start of the school year, you purchase a personal accident insurance policy for your children, yet most parents are unaware of its existence when a claim is needed. Attorney Sheri Dvir explains that awareness of your rights "can save quite a bit of money." This is coverage you have already paid for, applicable whether an injury occurs in the classroom or on your living room carpet.

Breaking the "School Hours" Myth

The main barrier preventing parents from exercising their rights is the misconception that insurance is limited to school hours or school grounds. The legal reality, as explained by Attorney Sheri Dvir, an expert in torts and medical malpractice, is quite different: coverage applies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including weekends, holidays, and vacations. The insurance applies everywhere: at home, in public parks, at sports clubs, or abroad. There is no need for a connection to educational activity; the coverage is valid even for private activities.

Four Steps After an Injury

Stress during an injury can lead to the loss of valuable evidence. Follow these steps to protect your child's rights:

1. Accurate medical documentation: Ensure that the medical report from the emergency room or HMO includes an accurate description of the accident. "Months later, it is much harder to complete information that was not documented," warns Attorney Dvir.

2. Collect physical and financial evidence: Keep all receipts for medications, orthopedic accessories, travel, and any related expenses. Collect diagnoses, images, and prescriptions. Proving the link between the injury and financial loss depends on your organization.

3. Separate "guilt" from "coverage": Personal accident insurance does not require proof of negligence. The question is not "who is to blame?" but "did an insurance event occur?"

4. Beware of the "adaptation trap": Children adapt to physical limitations, and a lack of complaints does not indicate a lack of damage. An injury that seems temporary may leave a permanent limitation that only appears later.

Beyond the Basic Policy

Attorney Sheri Dvir emphasizes that student insurance is not always the final word. In many cases, additional compensation avenues exist. "Do not decide in advance that you are ineligible. A significant injury requires professional examination of all possible sources of compensation before closing the file," explains Dvir.

Key takeaways for parents:

1. Coverage is absolute: The child is insured 24/7, everywhere, including at home and during summer vacation.

2. No "guilty parties" required: The policy is activated by the occurrence of damage, even if the child was injured by their own mistake.

3. Monitor over time: Children are dangerous "adapters"; their ability to normalize pain may hide permanent disability.