Make a claim through the risk protection arrangement (RPA)
Information for public sector schools that are existing members of the RPA about membership rules and how to make a claim.
Applies to England
This page is for schools who are already a member of the RPA. There is information on how schools can join the RPA, an alternative to commercial insurance.
Make a claim
You can make a claim based on your RPA coverage. TopMark Claims Management Ltd handle RPA claims on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE). The membership rules will detail the full eligibility of the cover that applies to your school.
Visit the TopMark webpage to .
For emergencies and urgent incidents (excluding overseas travel)
Contact the RPA by:
- emailing RPA[email protected]
- calling 03300 585566
For overseas travel emergencies and urgent incidents
You can contact the RPA by calling 020 3475 5031.
Summary of cover
This table summarises what the RPA covers. For full eligibility details, you should always read the membership rules that apply to your school.
| Type of risk | Limit |
|---|---|
| Material damage | Reinstatement value of the property |
| Business interruption | 拢10 million for any one loss |
| Employers鈥� liability | Unlimited |
| Third-party liability | Unlimited |
| Governors鈥� liability | 拢10 million for any one loss and in any one membership year |
| Professional indemnity | Unlimited |
| Employee and third-party dishonesty | 拢500,000 |
| Money | Various, including cash on premises or in transit, 拢5,000 |
| Personal accident | Death and capital benefits, 拢100,000 |
| United Kingdom travel | Baggage and money, 拢2,000 per person; cancellation, 拢1,000 per person |
| Overseas travel, including winter sports | Includes baggage, 拢2,000 in total per person (inner limits apply); money, 拢750 per person; medical expenses, 拢10 million; cancellation, 拢4,000 per person |
| Legal expenses | 拢100,000 for any one loss and in any one membership year |
| Cultural assets | 拢10,000 for any one cultural asset or 拢250,000 for any one multiple loss |
| Cyber cover | 拢250,000 for any one loss and in any one membership year. Where a member is part of a group network with other RPA members, the maximum aggregate liability is 拢750,000 in any one membership year for the group network |
Full details of cover
These membership rules detail the full cover and provision of the RPA:
Accessing your RPA documentation
You will have been sent a copy of your membership certificate with your confirmation email when you opted into the RPA.
You can access and download further copies of your current certificate by accessing the RPA Service through .
You can sign in to DfE as a local authority or multi-academy trust (MAT) to manage your RPA membership and that of your schools. This will enable you to see all the schools linked to your organisation and download their certificates from your account. Trusts can also access their trust-level certificate.
Additional cover and buying help
If there鈥檚 something you need cover for that鈥檚 not included in the RPA, use the Get help buying for schools service for links to sources of free and impartial guidance from procurement specialists.
Advice and training
Members of the RPA will have access to free risk management advice, training and best-practice guidance from .
You can contact Willis Towers Watson by:
- emailing [email protected]
- calling 0117 976 9361
Access to the RPA cover helpdesk is available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
Contact details
If you鈥檙e making a claim or an enquiry, you can contact the RPA for advice.
- provide risk management services to all RPA members for the DfE
- handle RPA claims on behalf of DfE, answering any you may have
- Davies Group manage the claims process on behalf of TopMark
- CyberClan provide a cyber incident response service on behalf of TopMark
| Contact reason | Email address | Telephone number |
|---|---|---|
| Travel and property emergency claims or incidents | [email protected] | +44 (0) 3300 585 566 |
| Emergencies and urgent incidents (excluding overseas travel) | RPA[email protected] | +44 (0) 3300 585 566 |
| Overseas travel (non United Kingdom) emergencies and urgent incidents | RPA[email protected] | +44 (0) 20 3475 5031 |
| Overseas travel (non United Kingdom) general enquiries and assistance, including winter sports | RPA.CM@davies-group,com | +44 (0) 3300 585 566 |
| Free risk management advice, training information and best-practice guidance | [email protected] | 0117 9769361 |
| Queries, including about opting in or opting out of the RPA | RPA[email protected] | 听 |
| Cyber emergency assistance | [email protected] | 0800 368 6378 |
| Cyber general enquiries and assistance | RPA[email protected] | +44 (0) 3300 585 566 |
| Free risk management advice | [email protected] | 0117 976 9361 |
| Assistance accessing the RPA risk management portal | [email protected] | 听 |
Updates to this page
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Replaced 'Local authority maintained community schools: RPA membership rules', 'Voluntary aided, foundation and foundation special schools: RPA membership rules' and 'Voluntary controlled schools: RPA membership rules' with updated versions for the financial year 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
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Amended 'Voluntary aided, foundation and foundation special schools: RPA membership rules' to include the correct figure for membership per year per pupil.
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Replaced 'Academy trusts: RPA membership rules' and 'Church academies: RPA membership rules with updated versions for the 2024 to 2025 academic year.
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First published.