Comparing Risk and Insurance Support for Education Providers
Education sector insurance: why specialist support matters
When education providers assess insurance and risk support, the comparison is rarely just about price. Schools and universities often manage a wide range of operational responsibilities, and the risks that come with them can be complex. In this context, working with an advisor that is firmly established in the education sector can be a meaningful point of difference.
Aon is described as a leading risk and insurance advisor to the education sector, with experience across educational establishments in Australia. This includes some of the most esteemed independent schools and prestigious universities. That depth of involvement matters because it can shape how an advisor understands the environment an institution operates in and the types of exposures it may need to consider.
What sector experience can contribute
One practical way to compare risk and insurance support is to look at whether an advisor has accumulated knowledge specific to education providers. Aon notes that through its experience in the sector it has accumulated invaluable knowledge of the inherent risks faced by educational establishments.
While each institution is different, sector experience can help an advisor engage with common themes and recurring challenges in education settings. For decision-makers, this can translate into more informed conversations about risk exposures and how they may be managed over time.
Risk management as part of the overall service
Another key comparison point is whether the advisor’s approach extends beyond arranging insurance. Aon emphasises that risk management is key to achieving lower insurance costs in the medium to long term. This positions risk management not as a separate add-on, but as an integral part of the overall service.
In practice, this means the focus is not limited to the immediate renewal cycle. Instead, the approach recognises that managing and reducing risk exposures can influence insurance outcomes over a longer horizon. For education providers, that longer-term view may be particularly relevant, given the ongoing nature of campus operations and the need for stability in budgeting and planning.
Helping to manage and reduce risk exposures
Aon states that, as part of its overall service, it will work with clients to help manage and reduce risk exposures. This is an important detail for education providers comparing options, because it suggests an active role in supporting the institution’s risk posture rather than a purely transactional relationship.
Reducing exposures is not presented as a one-off exercise. The emphasis is on working with the client, which implies ongoing engagement and collaboration. For schools and universities, that collaborative approach can be a useful lens when comparing advisors: not only what is offered, but how the advisor intends to work alongside the institution.
A partnership approach: insight and solutions
Beyond technical capability, education providers may also compare advisors based on service philosophy. Aon describes its promise as being focused on partnering with clients to offer insight and solutions to the management of their risks.
From a comparison perspective, there are two notable elements in that statement:
Partnering with clients: This frames the relationship as collaborative, with the advisor working alongside the institution rather than operating at a distance.
Offering insight and solutions: This highlights an intent to bring understanding and practical support to risk management, rather than limiting the service to insurance placement alone.
For education leaders and administrators, these themes can be useful when evaluating fit. An advisor’s ability to provide insight and solutions may affect how effectively risk issues are identified, discussed, and addressed over time.
How to use these points when comparing options
Education providers comparing risk and insurance support can use the information above as a structured way to assess what is being offered. Rather than focusing solely on immediate cost, it can be helpful to consider whether the advisor:
Is firmly established in the education sector and has experience with educational establishments, including independent schools and universities.
Recognises risk management as a driver of lower insurance costs in the medium to long term.
Includes help to manage and reduce risk exposures as part of the overall service.
Commits to partnering with clients and providing insight and solutions for risk management.
These criteria do not replace an institution’s own due diligence, but they can help frame a more complete comparison—one that accounts for both near-term needs and longer-term risk outcomes.
Conclusion
Comparing the market for education-sector risk and insurance support often comes down to more than selecting a provider. It involves assessing sector experience, the role of risk management in the service offering, and the extent to which the advisor will work with the institution to manage and reduce exposures. Aon positions itself as a leading advisor to the education sector in Australia, with a service approach that highlights risk management, partnership, and the delivery of insight and solutions. For schools and universities, these elements can provide a clear framework for evaluating whether an advisor’s approach aligns with their operational realities and longer-term objectives.