In organized activities, injuries can happen—making protection for both organizations and participants an important consideration. Understanding how insurance works in these environments helps ensure you have the right coverage in place.
What is sports accident insurance?
Sports accident insurance, otherwise known as Participant Accident Insurance (PAI), is an important addition to any organization or tournament, providing coverage for those injured during the sport.
- Injuries from player collisions
- Sprains and strains
- Falls and fractures
Sports accident insurance can also help cover the expenses of other medical support, such as:
- Ambulance services
- Inpatient and outpatient services
- CT-scans, x-rays, MRIs, and other testing
- Prescription drugs
With sports accident insurance, your players are provided with financial support, from the hospital visit to post-injury physical therapy.
What is general liability insurance?
General liability insurance covers lawsuits that arise due to negligence as an organizer of sports, leagues, camps and events.
General liability insurance can help cover lawsuits that arise because of:
- Injury due to unsafe playing conditions
- A spectator getting hit by an errant ball
- Property damage to neighboring facilities
General liability insurance is a helpful starting point for facilitators, owners, and tournament directors, as it helps cover prevalent legal risks.
Why should you get a sports accident insurance plan?
Although general liability insurance is an important foundation, it provides coverage for the company, and not for the participants. It is important to consider the benefits of having an accidental injury plan to protect your players.
Primary health insurance is not enough
Even though primary health insurance and Medicare can cover some of the medical costs due to accidental sports injuries, co-pays and high deductibles can still end up costing your players thousands in out-of-pocket expenses. Sports accident insurance typically covers the excess expenses that are not covered by primary insurance, providing an extra layer of financial support.
Softball accident: Ruth’s ankle injury
Ruth, is a member of her local U10 softball team. At her last game, she injured her ankle while fielding a ball. She was transported to a local emergency room and assessed, which included the initial intake assessment, x-ray imaging, and pain medication. Soon after, Ruth had to start attending physical therapy to restore the proper function of her ankle.
Even though Ruth was covered by her parents’ health insurance, her family still had hundreds of dollars of out-of-pocket costs and co-pays. Luckily, her club was enrolled in a sports accident insurance plan, which helped offset her medical bills, resulting in a much lower financial burden—including coverage for her physical therapy.
Ruth’s sports accident insurance plan paid 100% of her out-of-pocket costs:
Total out-of-pocket costs: $1,575
Total benefits paid: $1,575
Player satisfaction
Sports accident insurance acts as a shield for you and your players – accidents happen, regardless of fault. With PAI, your players and their families can feel at ease knowing they will be financially covered if an injury occurs. Plus, sports accident insurance can help reduce the likelihood that the family of an injured player will seek legal action against the organization in efforts to recover financially. PAI helps protect your players, but adds value to your organization, too.
Get your quote today!
Don’t wait until after an injury occurs to think about insurance. Get your quote today or contact Wellfleet Special Risk to learn more about our insurance options and find the coverage that’s right for your organization.
WFSR-260656
