Why Student Accident and Athletic Insurance Matters for Texas School Districts

Every day, students in your district participate in physical activities and athletic programs. They could be scoring a touchdown, sliding into home base, marching in the band, or participating in a gym class. These activities are a vital part of the well-rounded educational experience, but they also present a potential risk for accidents or injury.

Educators and parents want nothing more than to keep students safe. TASB Benefits Cooperative offers student accident and athletic insurance to give districts, students, and their families peace of mind knowing that when student injuries occur, they will have the coverage needed.

Student Accident and Athletic Insurance

Student accident insurance covers costs related to student injuries that occur while participating in school-sponsored activities and athletics. TASB Benefits Cooperative offers affordable, limited-benefit plans to help cover medical expenses that families in your district may not be able to afford, especially if they lack adequate health insurance or have high deductibles. 

These plans are not intended to replace a student’s traditional health insurance. Instead, they help bridge the coverage gap by:

• Offsetting high deductibles and co-insurance costs
• Providing coverage when a student has no other insurance
• Supporting families facing unexpected medical expenses

Texas-Based Awarded Provider

Texas Kids First, the Cooperative’s awarded provider for student accident insurance, is: 

• Trusted by trainers: Endorsed by both Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association and Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association 
• Backed by strong financial ratings: Insurers are rated A+ for financial strength by A.M. Best*
• Rooted in Texas: More than 275 school districts trust Texas Kids First and its no-balance bill network has over 3,000 medical providers and hospitals across the state** 
• Locally supported: Claims examiners and regional agents help you understand what coverage fits your community’s unique needs

*Rating for financial strength and ability to meet policyholder obligation by A.M. Best Company, a leading insurance rating authority. 
**Information provided by Texas Kids First

Available Coverage

Texas Kids First offers blanket plans for everyday incidents and catastrophic plans for major incidents. Both are designed to insure students participating in University Interscholastic League (UIL) activities with the school district and follow UIL guidelines for those activities.

Base Accident Plans

There are two options for base plans, which provide up to $30,000 per covered injury and help address a common coverage gap.

Covered activities may include:

• Interscholastic athletics and sanctioned activities
• Physical education classes and intramurals for grades 7-12
• Day‑only summer camps held on district premises
• Weightlifting, off‑season conditioning, and other defined activities

At-school Accident

This option covers injuries that occur while the insured person is participating in any school-sponsored activity on campus, away from campus, traveling to activities as well as those attending day-only summer camps organized by and held on the district policyholder’s campus.

24-hour Accident Plan

Designed for districts seeking coverage focused on UIL and other sanctioned interscholastic activities, this option applies only to athletics and related activities and does not include regular classroom instruction. Coverage applies when students are participating as official representatives of the district under the supervision of a district‑employed coach or trainer.

Catastrophic Accident Plan

Catastrophic plans offer coverage limits up to $10 million per covered person with a $25,000 deductible. Because the base plan limit is set at $30,000, it is better positioned to help meet the catastrophic deductible when a serious injury occurs.

Both base and catastrophic plans are UIL‑compliant and designed to insure students participating in UIL activities in accordance with UIL guidelines.

Reinforce Relationships and Manage Risks

Offering student accident insurance is an investment in your district’s community. It can help reduce the financial burden on families and foster a positive relationship between those families and the district.

While student accident insurance does not replace liability coverage, it can help districts manage injury‑related risks by providing a defined source of medical benefit payments. This can reduce disputes over medical expenses and support more positive school‑family relationships following an injury.

Benefits to Families

When a student is injured, if there is no insurance in place, parents or guardians are responsible for the total cost of that injury. Depending on the severity, costs could range from a $50 copay for a doctor’s visit to millions for catastrophic claims, such as lifetime paralysis.

Student accident insurance purchased by the district can reduce the out-of-pocket expenses for families. It can: 

• Reduce the financial burden on families 
• Foster positive relationships between the district and students’ families 
• Mitigate potential risk for the school district 

When a school purchases a qualified plan through Texas Kids First, and in-network providers are utilized, there will be no balance due by parents beyond benefit payments for charges related to an injury.

Making an Informed Choice for Your District

Every district has unique needs based on its size, student population, and activity offerings. The Cooperative’s procurement process allows districts to access benefit and insurance products without issuing your own RFP, saving time while helping ensure compliance with Texas procurement requirements.

The Cooperative provides expert guidance to help districts evaluate coverage options. Experienced advisors and representatives from Texas Kids First help districts select coverage that aligns with their goals, budget, and student needs.

Get Started with TASB Benefits Cooperative

Find out how student accident and athletic insurance can benefit your district by reaching out to TASB Benefits Cooperative today.