The value of Insurance in Sports Coaching – A Short Guide
The job of a sports coach is very unpredictable and full of unpleasant surprises, as leading a team consisting of young people with strong personalities through a series of physical challenges is anything but a smooth ride. This is very stressful and physically demanding work, so it’s not rare for a coach to be injured or otherwise incapacitated as a result of his professional activities. Coaches must also take responsibility for the actions and physical well-being of their players, as well as any assistants that might be working for them. In other words, the list of things that could go awry for a sports coach is quite long.
Because of the factors mentioned above, it’s very important for individuals working as coaches in any sport to be properly insured. This is true for coaches at all levels, from those who individually instruct just a few players to high-level professionals who nurture elite talent and participate in international competitions. Protecting against possible liabilities and ensuring that any medical or other expenses will be reimbursed allows coaches to have peace of mind and focus on their core duties.
Sports coach insurance – basic overview
Insurance for sports coaches is unique in many ways and designed to safeguard against many different situations that might arise over the course of a coaching career. One of its primary characteristics is that it doesn’t pertain only to the coach personally, but also to anyone working with him or training under him. That’s why this form of insurance can be more accurately described as sports coaching business insurance, and it usually entails several different policies related to specific events. The objective is to provide coaching professionals with broad coverage that translates into the possibility to work without having to worry about the possible consequences of inadvertent errors or misfortune, both legally and financially. In the United Kingdom, sports coach insurance is the standard and in some sports it may not be possible to work without it.
Why do sports coaches need insurance?
Practically every sport can be dangerous and involves some personal risks, both for the person practicing it and for those present at the venue. Players commonly suffer injuries while practicing or playing under the supervision of a coach, sometimes by directly following his instructions. Injuries to coaches and their staff members are less frequent, but they certainly can occur at any time. It’s also possible for one of the spectators to be accidentally hurt by a collision with a player or hit by a thrown object, and for a rented venue to be damaged through careless action of the players or a mishap that couldn’t be avoided. Finally, coaches often take care of valuable equipment for the entire team, which can be misappropriated or damaged in a variety of ways. Any of these events could jeopardise the normal operation of the coaching business unless an insurance company settles the bills.
What types of insurance for sports coaches are available?
While different insurance houses may have some unique products intended for sports workers, in general this type of insurance comprises several standardised categories. The most common types of insurance coverage for sports coaches include the following:
Personal Accident Insurance
This option is quite similar to personal injury insurance for any citizen but is even more valuable to people who engage in sports activities for a living. It provides financial relief in case a coach suffers an injury that requires treatment and causes him to miss some time.
Professional Indemnity
With this type of coverage, coaches are completely insulated from any lawsuits by their players who might have suffered an injury while acting upon the coach’s advice or partaking in a training regimen administered by the coaching professional.
Public Liability Cover
This form of sports coach insurance is very common in the UK and may even be required in order to use a gym or other sports facilities. It covers any claims pertaining to a personal injury or property damage that occurred while the coach was practicing his craft in a public setting.
Sports Equipment Insurance
Finally, coaches can insure the sports equipment they are using for their work. With a policy of this kind, coaches are entitled to have lost, stolen, or damaged items replaced at no cost. This kind of insurance is extremely valuable in team sports, such as football.
Are there special offers for football coach insurance?
Football coaches are quite numerous in the UK and account for a large share of insurance policies issued, but they are generally not treated as a separate category. Any coach specialising in football is eligible for all of the insurance types listed above and may take out one or more of them. Some insurance companies might target football workers in particular and tempt them with special discounts and other perks. This is why football coach insurance can be less expensive than a comparable package for a coach active in another sport. Of course, coaches working for top-level football may have the insurance cost picked up by the team so they don’t have to pay out of their pocket.
How to get sports coaches insurance in the UK?
It’s not very hard to obtain insurance as a registered coach in the United Kingdom. In fact, the market is very competitive and coaches can choose between several offers from reputable insurance firms. Sports coach insurance is usually paid for annually and might cost anywhere from £50 to several hundred pounds, while the liabilities limit can go as high as several million.
It’s prudent to study each offer very carefully and maybe even ask an impartial financial professional for an opinion before signing any papers since the terms could differ quite dramatically. It is imperative to check which situations are covered and how the procedure of posting a claim works, and to make sure that all paperwork is handled correctly. The insurance may need to be renewed for each year, which allows coaches to change providers and look for better conditions. It may be best to trust a provider that comes highly recommended. We at Coachability frequently work with Insurance4Sport and can vouch for their integrity, professionalism, and width of coverage. You can find out more about their offer that is tailored to the needs of UK sports workers by following this link.
