CharterSAFE Mission and History
CharterSAFE is a non-profit risk-sharing pool providing a comprehensive insurance and risk management program to independent charter schools in California. Created in 2004 by charter school leaders seeking a more affordable and reliable option for insurance and safety, CharterSAFE currently serves over 850 school sites throughout California.
CharterSAFE's members are its owners. Members hold a proportional share of the CharterSAFE cash surplus and can participate in future distribution of equity in the form of cash dividends or reductions in premium. Members also elect the CharterSAFE board of directors from a pool of nominees, all of whom are leaders in the charter school movement.
CharterSAFE's mission is to provide our charter school members with a strong understanding of school hazards and approach to risk management. We believe that a safe and secure learning environment allows member schools to focus on and dedicate its resources toward empowering students through education.
Towards that goal, CharterSAFE has focused on three aspects of school risk financing and risk management.
- Comprehensive Property & Casualty Insurance Program: CharterSAFE created a comprehensive insurance program to ensure that our member schools are properly covered for all of the exposures in operating a quality school. CharterSAFE writes its own manuscript insurance coverage form (Memorandum of Coverage) to ensure that our coverage is tailored to the needs of charter schools in California. We review both our insurance program and coverage form annually to ensure it adequately encompasses trending innovations or losses in the charter school movement.
- Complimentary Member Services: CharterSAFE strongly believes that the best way to keep schools safe is to proactively help our members manage their risks and prevent losses. Our risk management team actively seeks to educate our members on best practices for safety and risk management, including HR consulting, site inspections, contract reviews, waiver templates, and more.
- Proactive Hands-On Claims Management: The best way to ensure a claim is well-managed is to actively participate in the claims process. CharterSAFE's claims team is at the table from the time a member notifies us of a possible claim through the creation of a litigation plan and budget and will attend mediations and hearings as a strong advocate for our charter school members.
As a public entity that serves its member schools, CharterSAFE is in a unique position to support member schools in their unique curricula and educational goals. Please let us know how we can help your school!
Our Team