Getting the Right Insurance For You

Don’t be insured just to be insured, be insured to be covered!

It is easy to just be insured, but insurance policies are specific in their scope and usually contain important exclusions that you need to be aware of depending on your personal circumstances. The reality is that insurance companies* take a narrow approach to their obligations should a claim be made on the policy. If there is a sound legal basis for avoiding cover, the insurance company will do so.**

* Where we refer to the insurance company, we mean the company ultimately responsible for the cover obtained through a broker/intermediary.

** Typically, sports coaches obtain coverage through insurance brokers or intermediaries who offer standard insurance packages rather than going directly through an insurance company.

It’s a good idea to consider the following four factors when obtaining appropriate insurance for your coaching:

Is your sport covered? 

Some insurance policies will cover many sports generally, but it is important that the policy obtained covers the sport you are coaching. This is especially the case if you coach a specialist or high-risk sport. 

If you’re unsure, or if there is a sport similar but not exactly the same as the one you coach, you should contact the insurance company and get confirmation in writing that you are covered. (For example, you are a paddle coach, but insurance only covers squash and tennis, or it only covers Rugby League, not Rugby Union.)

If the insurance company is unwilling to confirm that your sport is covered in writing, you should search for alternative insurance.

It is also important to consider who you are coaching. Some policies might exclude coaching minors (under 18s) or they might provide cover but limit the extent or nature of the cover in respect of certain groups. 

Is there a requirement that you hold a certain level of coaching qualification or have a required amount of experience or attend an up to date First Aid or safeguarding course? 

Do the participants need to have achieved a certain level of competency and be a specific age and/or do they need to be affiliated to a sports body themselves? 

Where are you covered?

It is important to consider all the settings that you coach in and ensure that you will be insured to coach in all of them.

Ask yourself:

• Are there limitations on the policy?
• Are you only covered in your regular coaching facility?
• Does your coverage extend beyond the field/arena/hall/court?
• Does your coverage remain the same when coaching outside your regular facility? Think about whether you use different venues? For example, are you always at the club or will you use public fields, council facilities, or private facilities such as a school or soccer centre?  
• Are you covered for online sessions?
• Does it extend countrywide and when travelling overseas? Do you travel for tournaments or competitions? Pre-season or end of season training?

Be careful not to assume that your coverage extends beyond the UK, as you may have to add worldwide coverage to your insurance policy. It is also important to note that insurance policies may change or be limited when travelling to Canada or the United States. We recommend checking in with your insurance company to find out exactly what these limitations are.

What are you covered for?    

It is important to consider what cover you need. Click into the following tab to read about the types of cover that it’s often a good idea to have.

How far does your coverage go? 

In addition to the type of cover, you will also need to check the amount of financial cover you have. Cover of £1m is not enough. Most would recommend £5m or £10m.

You will also need to consider what is covered. Is it just damages and settlement or does it also cover legal expenses and in a sufficient amount? Having £5m of cover might not mean much if you must pay for your solicitors’ fees yourself. Will it cover the other side’s legal costs if you are ordered to do so by the Court or if it forms part of the settlement? 

UK Coaching recommends £10m.

Key points

• It is important to make sure that you have sufficient coverage limits for each section you are covered for.
• If you have insufficient cover, you may be left personally liable for any shortfall in costs, expenses or damages.
• If you are seriously injured during a coaching session and can no longer work, you deserve adequate coverage for your expenses.
• If someone gets seriously injured while taking part in your sessions, you need to make sure you are covered.
• It is recommended that you speak to the insurance company to determine the appropriate level of cover for the coaching you are undertaking.
• It is vital to consider any conditions that are attached to the cover. Is there a requirement that you hold a certain level of coaching qualification or have a required amount of experience or attend an up to date First Aid or safeguarding course? Do the participants need to have achieved a certain level of competency or be a specific age and/or do they need to be affiliated to a sports body themselves?
• Always read the small print carefully and especially any exclusions. If in doubt check with the insurance company.

Finally, make sure that you keep a record of any disclosures you make yourself when obtaining the policy including medical conditions or criminal convictions and they are accurate. These won’t necessarily act as a barrier to obtaining cover, but your cover might be lessened or voided entirely if they have not been accurately disclosed at the time of taking the policy.