Liability Insurance UpdateAs a newly certified educator or student teacher, you are now eligible for free professional liability coverage provided by the State of Georgia. Senate Bill 34 was approved by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Perdue in the 2005 legislative session and took effect July 1, 2005. Among other things, Senate Bill 34 authorized the State of Georgia to purchase a professional liability policy that insures certified personnel employed by all local public school systems and student teachers teaching in public school systems against damages arising out of the performance of their duties. The policy will provide you with primary coverage up to $1 million in liability coverage. If you have other liability insurance for your teaching activities (e.g. insurance provided by local school boards, professional organizations, etc.); this policy will be in addition to your other policy or policies. If a claim is made against you, you should notify not only the insurer under the State of Georgia program but also any other insurer(s) you may have so that the insurers may coordinate their efforts on your behalf. It was also confirmed with the Department of Administrative Services that this new provision also covers students who are not yet in Internship II (student teachers), but who are in their initial field experiences. Since the State of Georgia pays for this insurance, there is no cost to certificated personnel and student teachers. You do not have to do anything to sign-up for this coverage because you are automatically covered. You should, however, obtain a copy of the policy from the website of the Department of Administrative Services (the state agency responsible for administering the insurance program). Click here to access a PDF version of the policy directly. Please print and keep a copy of this policy in your files. As a result of this new provision, the Office of Field Experiences, Clinical Practice and Partnerships will no longer require proof of liability insurance as long as your placement is in a public school in the State of Georgia. Some departments, however, have decided to make additional liability insurance a requirement of the program. Please check with your academic advisor to determine if you are required to show proof of additional coverage. |
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Office of Field Experiences, Clinical Practice and Partnerships |
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