Insurance

Virginia Professional Educators’ Liability Insurance Policy provides a full $2,000,000 of coverage per member per incident for protection against lawsuits.

Defense costs are paid in addition to this amount. The policy also provides extensive coverage for “ employment rights” issues and other legal problems which might arise against you in the course of your professional duties and responsibilities.

For example, allegations against you as a result of your professional duties for civil rights violations or sexual misconduct are covered for $10,000 per incident, and may be covered for up to $35,000 if criminal charges are involved.

“Employment rights” issues include dismissal, salary, leave of absence, assignment, resignation, and many other professional rights, duties, and responsibilities. These issues are also covered for up to $10,000 per incident, if it is shown that your employment rights have been violated. Of this amount, $1,000 is available up-front for legal consultation and local representation by an attorney, in order to determine your best legal options.

VPE’s $2,000,000 per member, per occurrence insurance coverage is included as a member benefit for all Professional, Support, and Student Members.  It is underwritten by Nationwide® Insurance Company.  Nationwide has received an A+ Superior rating by A.M. Best, as well as an A+ rating by Standard & Poor’s.

Download our insurance comparison and summary fact sheet for more details and key facts about VPE’s $2,000,000 per Member Educators Liability Insurance Policy and program. (Copies of the insurance policy are provided to each member every year, and to all others upon request.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the association?

VPE is open to all Virginia professionals in the education sector. Your VPE membership classification depends upon your role in education.

  • Professional members are all educators employed in public school systems, college/universities, and private schools, including Teachers, Counselors, Administrators, Instructional Aides, School Psychologists, and Therapists.
  • Support members include Clerical/Office Support Staff, Bus Drivers, Food Service, Maintenance, and Nurses.
  • Substitute/Part-Time members are Substitute Teachers and Part-time Educators.
  • Student Teacher members are current Student-Teachers, performing their practicum requirements. (Liability coverage applies ONLY to student teaching and/or field experiences, not for any contract/paid position.)
  • Retired members include all retired educators and support staff. (Includes Professional Updates and Opportunity to Attend Local Events. Does not include liability coverage.)

How much does membership cost?

  • A Professional Membership includes $2 million per member liability insurance and costs $15 per month or $180 per year.
  • A Support Membership includes $2 million per member liability insurance and costs $7.50 per month or $90 per year.
  • A Substitute Teacher / Part-Time Educator membership includes $2 million per member liability insurance and costs $7.50 per month or $90 per year.
  • A Student Membership includes $2 million student teaching insurance and costs $25 for one year.
  • A Retired Educator Membership includes newsletter and basic member benefits and costs $25 for one year.

Typical union dues are about $50 to $60 per month! That’s about $600 per year! VPE gives you twice the coverage for about 1/4 the price!

What are the available limits of liability coverage?

VPE membership includes $2,000,000 ($2 million) Professional Educator Liability Insurance per member.

The full $2,000,000 liability coverage (per member, per occurrence) also applies for Civil Rights lawsuits.

What's covered under this policy?

You are protected against a broad range of allegations and liabilities which could arise against you in the course of your professional responsibilities and duties. These include the following:

Note: All Areas (Coverages A-D) are included with professional membership.

  • Coverage A– Educators Professional Liability Insurance: $2 Million Coverage per Member per Incident
  • Coverage B – Attorney Fees for additional legal situations, including:
    • Defense Against Criminal Charges
    • Defense Against Job Action or Violation of Employment Rights (includes dismissal, tenure, salary, leave of absence, assignment, resignation, and other professional rights, duties, and responsibilities)
    • Defense of an Action Against Teaching Certificate (includes issuance, suspension, cancellation or revocation of teaching certificate)
    • Defense Against Allegations of a Civil Rights Violation
    • Defense Against Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
  • Coverage C – Bail Bonds
  • Coverage D – Assault-Related Personal Property Damage

Does the insurance company pay the attorneys?

Virginia Professional Educators pays your attorney fees, and then VPE is reimbursed by the insurance company. You should not have to pay any money from your own pocket for attorneys’ fees for any legal action covered by the policy, up to the limits of the insurance policy.

Does the policy cover complaints that may arise years after the incident?

Yes. This is an “occurrence” policy. You are covered, provided you were a member when the incident occurred.

How can I get more information about the insurance policy?

Download our insurance comparison and summary fact sheet for more details and key facts about VPE’s $2,000,000 per Member Educators Liability Insurance Policy and program.

If you still have questions or would like more information sent to you, then please call us at (888) 873-9661, or email us at: info@VirginiaEducators.org.

VPE’s membership benefits can be invaluable – especially if you encounter legal, liability, or other job-related problems during the course of the school year. As you can see, you get much more coverage with VPE, at a much lower cost than teacher union dues! And you have the added peace of mind that none of your membership money is being spent on partisan politics or controversial social issues.

  • "VPE was the only choice for me because as a first-year teacher, I get TWO million dollars of protection for $180 per year! With the teachers union, it would have cost me over $500 per year for only ONE million in coverage! I can't afford $500 per year! Besides, I've learned the VPE representatives are very helpful and sincere."

    Cari W., Henrico County Public Schools

  • "I joined VPE because I wanted liability protection with a company that had no political affiliation. I enjoy knowing that the money I pay is for insurance only. I went for years with no protection, because I thought I had no choice. There IS a choice. Hopefully, I'll never need this insurance, but if I do, I know VPE will be there for me. It was the right choice for me."

    Jill S. Seal, Thomas Dale High School, Chesterfield County Public Schools

  • "When I began to look for liability insurance, that was what I wanted: insurance - not a political advocate for causes in which I did not necessarily believe. What I found in VPE was exactly what I wanted - an organization committed to teachers and the classroom, not an extraneous political agenda."

    Bill Rhatican, Instructor, Northern Virginia Community College; Retired Teacher, Fairfax County Public Schools