Bags bought, sports kit packed, and one question is usually left for last: what happens if the child gets injured at school. A broken arm in a PE lesson, a twisted ankle during break, a fall from a bike on the way to school. These are not dramatic scenarios but ordinary events that almost every family encounters.

Accident insurance for children pays a cash benefit for an injury and its consequences. Unlike a health policy, which pays for treatment services, this money is not tied to receipts: you can use it for rehabilitation, for days off work while you care for your child, or for whatever else is needed at the time.

When and where the policy works: school hours or the full 24 hours

This is the most important choice, and the one parents most often miss. Some policies only apply at the educational institution and at events it organises, while broader policies cover the child around the clock, wherever they happen to be: at home, on a sports field, at a friend place, on holiday.

In practice most childhood injuries happen outside lesson hours. The trip to school and back, the playground after homework, a hockey practice, a weekend bike ride. If you choose school hours cover only, these situations remain unprotected. Before deciding, check how the policy defines the period and territory of cover, because this clause determines whether a claim will be paid.

The second question is extracurricular activity. If your child attends a sports school, a dance studio or a martial arts club, find out whether that specific activity is covered. Insurers separate ordinary classes from higher risk disciplines, and some policies cover competitions only for an additional premium. Sports schools often insure their pupils during training, but the limits are usually small and apply only within official sessions. Individual accident insurance for children fills that gap.

The third question concerns the sum insured. The benefit for an injury is usually calculated according to an injury table, where each type of damage corresponds to a set percentage of the sum insured. That gives a simple rule: the higher the sum, the larger the payout for the same injury. When choosing, think practically about how long you might be unable to work while caring for your child, and what private rehabilitation would cost if the queue in the public system turned out to be long.

What else to check before the school year

Start with what you already have. Many employer health insurance programmes allow you to add a child, and accident cover is sometimes already included. Check the limit and whether it applies outside working hours. Often it turns out that a basic level exists but with a small sum, and it can be topped up.

If you have several children, ask about a family policy. Insuring several children under one contract is usually simpler administratively and tends to cost less than separate policies.

If your child rides a bike or a scooter to school, that is a separate risk worth recognising. Beyond injuries there is liability: if the child knocks over a pedestrian on the pavement, covering the loss is the responsibility of the parents. Cyclist insurance usually includes civil liability towards third parties.

Pupils travelling abroad on school trips or exchange programmes need separate travel insurance. A local accident policy does not cover treatment costs abroad, and those are exactly the expensive part if something happens in another country.

Finally, talk with your child about what to do after an injury: tell a teacher rather than keep quiet, so the incident is recorded. If an injury happens, see a doctor as soon as possible and make sure the circumstances are written into the medical documents. They are the main evidence in the claims process. Keep the statements and receipts, and notify the insurer within the deadline set in the policy.

Insuring a child is simpler than it seems, and it is one of the cheapest types of cover available. The specialists at Agento.lv will help you compare offers, check the conditions for sports and extracurricular activities and choose a suitable sum insured. Get a free consultation and an advisor will contact you within one working day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the school insure children during lessons? Schools and sports schools sometimes provide cover during sessions, but the limits are usually small and apply only within official activities. An individual policy also covers the journey to school and free time.
What is the difference between school hours and 24 hour cover? A school hours policy applies at the educational institution and at events it organises, while a 24 hour policy covers the child around the clock regardless of location, including at home, at clubs and during holidays.
What sum insured is suitable for a child? The benefit is usually calculated as a percentage of the sum insured according to an injury table, so a higher sum gives a larger payout. When choosing, consider possible rehabilitation costs and the days you would be unable to work.
Does the policy cover injuries at a sports club? Ordinary classes are usually covered, but higher risk disciplines and participation in competitions can be excluded or insured for an additional premium. The exact list is always stated in the policy terms.
Does a child policy work on a school trip abroad? A local accident policy usually does not cover treatment costs abroad. A trip to another country requires separate travel insurance with cover for medical expenses.