We’re in unprecedented times which calls for new and innovative ways to make sure our families have what they need while staying safe. With the pandemic still raging, many parents have not felt comfortable sending their kids back to traditional school. If you’re keeping your kids out of in-person learning, you’re not alone, but it’s important to consider how your homeschooling option impacts your home insurance.
Here’s what you need to know.
Your Homeschooling Option Matters
The current public school options are an example of local schools doing the best they can during the pandemic. But that doesn’t mean those options will work for every parent or family. Virtual learning may keep your child safe, but it may be impossible to manage because of your work life. In-person school may not be an option because it doesn’t feel safe.
Two options that have gained popularity are homeschooling and learning pods. Contrary to popular belief, these are two separate educational options for families, even though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
Homeschooling occurs when a parent takes responsibility for developing their child’s curriculum (within state guidelines) and teaches their child or children throughout the school year. Each child that is homeschooled in your family tends to have their own separate track of learning, even if they’re kept together for “class time.”
Learning pods are a new development in response to the pandemic. Typically, a parent hosts a small group of children who will learn together, either guided by a credentialed teacher or through virtual learning options made available through local schools. This allows a few families to find a solution for school and work while giving their children the peer-to-peer interaction that is so important.
How Homeschooling Impacts Your Home Insurance
If you go the route of traditional homeschooling, you don’t necessarily need to make any changes to your home insurance coverage. The only exception may be if you purchase equipment to meet the demands of your child’s education. In this case, make sure your policy offers enough coverage to replace the computers, laptops, and other expensive items you need for homeschooling.
With learning pods, the conversation about insurance becomes more complicated. Depending on where you are, learning pods can be treated as a daycare (from a regulatory standpoint) which often means following state rules and requirements. In August 2020, North Carolina eliminated the requirement for home-based learning pods to have a daycare license.
That’s good news as it eliminates red tape and expense, but that doesn’t help your home insurance. Learning pods may also be viewed as home-based businesses which means your home insurance will not cover claims made as a result of your pod. When you host a pod, you also take on additional liability.
If you bring in a credentialed teacher to help the children in your learning pod, you may be subject to the same employee safety requirements as any daycare. There’s also the increased risk of injury or damage with multiple people in your home.
Because this is new territory for everyone, including insurance providers, it’s important to talk to your independent insurance agent to find out what your home insurance will and won’t cover based on your specific situation. If necessary, you may need to purchase additional coverage to protect you during the school year.
Don’t assume your home insurance will cover your homeschooling plan this year. Contact Charlotte Insurance to get accurate information for your policy and learn your options today!