Should I be concerned about shared limits?

 
Since the 2014-15 school year, all of our school members have individual limits. This eliminates any concerns you may have about claims experienced by other schools diminishing the coverage available to you school. In our 10-year history, the combined claims of all members in any given year never came close to exhausting coverage. 

Is it better to be a CharterSAFE member or to be in a larger pool of mixed organizations?

 
The truth is that members are, by far, better off in the CharterSAFE pool, because the losses experienced by charter schools are significantly lower than losses experienced by larger pools associated with cities, counties, police departments, fire districts and school districts.
 
In larger pools, charter schools would be blended with non-charter school organizations and lose the benefit of the superior risk characteristics exhibited by charter schools as a group. Having a better insurance risk profile translates into lower rates and better coverage opportunities.

Some schools have been told they should not become members of CharterSAFE because of concerns about paying for claims of other member schools. If this a cause for concern?

 
Consider the underlying relationship between insurance companies and their customers. Policyholders (customers) pay premiums to an insurance company, from which the insurance company pays claims for all policyholders. In all insurance arrangements, the accumulated premiums paid to insurance companies by individual policyholders pay for the claims of others.

Without a doubt, you are better served participating in a specialized group that exposes its policyholders to less risk, greater stability, board representation, and ownership of the pool’s equity.

New Schools

New start-up schools should apply to CharterSAFE as soon as their Board of Directors is established. Unsure of the types of insurance you may need? See our guidelines for developing schools. You can download an application here. If you have questions, please email insurance@chartersafe.org.

CCS-JPA is now CharterSAFE

In 2012, the California Charter Schools Joint Powers Authority (CCS-JPA) elected to go by its branding name, CharterSAFE, to more clearly reflect its mission. Charter school members' coverage and access to services remain the same.

What is a Joint Powers Authority?

A California Joint Powers Authority (JPA)  is a government-regulated entity formed by two or more California public agencies for the mutual benefit of the agencies. As public agencies, California charter schools have come together, pooling assets to establish a broad and stable insurance program through the California Charter Schools JPA (CCS-JPA, DBA CharterSAFE). The JPA structure enables its charter school members to: 1) take advantage of volume purchasing strategies to acquire high-grade insurance coverage addressing the specific needs of charter schools, and 2) employ risk management and loss control experts to assist schools in minimizing claims.