Educational institutions face a risk landscape that grows more complex each year. From governance and employment matters to financial oversight and escalating cyber threats, school administrators and financial officers are navigating decisions that directly affect their students, staff and long-term stability.

The Unison Risk Advisors™ seventh-annual Education Benchmark Reports offer valuable insights into how K-12 schools and higher education institutions are approaching risk management and insurance purchasing today. Developed in collaboration with members of the Assurex Global Partnership and drawing on insights from schools nationwide, the reports give administrators an opportunity to understand how their coverage decisions align with those of similar institutions. Every school carries a distinct risk profile, and understanding how your program compares is an important step toward more informed and confident decisions.

Both reports focus on four high-priority coverages: educators legal liability, excess liability, fiduciary liability and cyber liability. Each report reveals meaningful patterns in how institutions respond to a shifting environment and highlights where potential gaps may be leaving schools exposed.

K-12 Schools

The K-12 report examines insurance purchasing trends across both public and private schools, offering aggregate insights into how institutions of varying sizes are structuring their coverage. It concentrates on areas that school leaders consistently identify as the most complex and consequential, providing a practical reference point for evaluating current programs.

Request the complete K-12 report here.

Higher Education

The higher education report explores the unique exposures facing colleges and universities, including residential life, athletics, governance obligations and emerging technology risks. It illustrates how these institutions are aligning coverage with their scale, complexity and evolving responsibilities.

Request the complete higher education report here.

Learn More

The 2026 Education Benchmark Reports offer a deeper look at the trends shaping insurance decisions across the education sector. To learn more about how these insights can strengthen your institution’s risk management and insurance strategy, use the form below to connect with our Education Practice Leader, James Shewey.