SchoolTripFinder.com Teacher Resource

School Trip Insurance, ATOL and Financial Protection Explained

Travel insurance and financial protection solve different problems, and schools should understand both before committing funds.

Travel insurance

A school travel policy may cover areas such as cancellation, medical treatment, repatriation, baggage and liability, depending on the wording. Check the actual policy rather than assuming a provider’s insurance covers the travelling group.

What ATOL does

ATOL is a UK financial-protection scheme for qualifying flight-inclusive travel arrangements sold by ATOL holders. Where applicable, schools should receive the relevant documentation and understand which elements of the booking are protected.

Not every trip falls under ATOL

Land-only arrangements and bookings structured in other ways may be protected differently. Do not use the presence or absence of an ATOL logo as a substitute for asking exactly how your money is protected.

Ask before paying

Confirm the contracting company, what protection applies, who holds client money, cancellation terms and what happens if a supplier or organiser fails. For overseas schools, the relevant protection regime may be different from the UK system.

Check your own requirements

Your school, trust, authority or insurer may impose additional conditions. Obtain professional or insurer guidance where needed, particularly for high-value international programmes.