Imagine for a moment that you’re trying to set up a sports league or athletic competition for a youth group or at the amateur level. You know that you want all the players involved to have fun, but you also want them to be protected. If you’re in that situation, you’re probably going to ask, “How much does sports insurance cost?” It’s a logical topic to discuss with whoever is attempting to establish the league or event.
Looking at the average sports insurance cost is a reasonable thing to do before you start trying to recruit enthusiastic players and the individuals who will serve as referees, umpires, or chaperones.
The average cost of sports insurance for a youth or amateur event is for coverage against third-party injuries and bodily damages. However, you should also understand that this figure can vary when you factor in several notable considerations.
Let’s take a little time to explore the situations where you’ll need sports insurance for youth or amateur athletics. We will also cover why you need sports insurance, the different types that exist, and some of the factors that influence the cost of a policy.
For What Sports Will You Need Insurance?
There are several events and situations where it would be appropriate for you to secure a youth or amateur sports insurance policy. They include games of:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Any other youth or amateur sport where the possibility of injury exists
Why Do You Need Insurance?
Most teachers, parents, and other adults agree that youth athletics represent a great opportunity for young people.
However, there is an inherent risk of injury in youth sports or athletic activities. While this should not prohibit anyone from playing, the proper safeguards must be in place just in case a hard tackle while playing football leads to a broken bone or a fastball up and causes a bloody nose.
It is precisely these sorts of situations that lead to league or event organizers looking into the average youth or amateur sports insurance cost. Now, let’s move on to discussing the different kinds of youth and amateur sports insurance of which you should be aware.
Understanding the Most Common Types of Youth and Amateur Sports Insurance
Three types of sports insurance are important to consider at the youth or amateur level.
- Insurance for Sports Facilities and Athletes: This broad category of sports insurance covers sports facilities and athletes. It can protect you from injuries that may be sustained during sport-related accidents. It also protects sports facilities and clubs against potential liabilities that their operations can create.
- Gym Insurance: Gym insurance can protect you from potential liabilities as well. A gymnasium that’s hosting an event should have a policy in place against malpractice and public liability. As a gym owner, you will find this type of policy can cover you if injuries occur as a result of business operations on the premises.
- Personal Professional Sports Insurance: This is probably the most common kind of youth and amateur sports insurance. It can protect an athlete’s future income if a career-ending illness or injury occurs. Accidental death, dismemberment, temporary total disability, and permanent total disability are all typically folded into such a policy.
You will most likely want to consider the youth or amateur sports insurance cost of each of these policies and discuss it with an expert prior to making your decision.
Are There Any Kinds of Insurance That You Won’t Need at the Youth Level?
Athletic coverage for future earnings protection is usually advisable for top college athletes who are considered likely prospects to go pro at some point. This coverage protects their future earnings. You can also get it for sponsors or teams that are looking to protect their prized athletes. While it’s a powerful policy to obtain, it’s not necessary at the youth level. You should probably consider it only at the collegiate level.
Next, let’s talk about factors that might influence the cost of youth and amateur sports insurance.
Factors That Might Influence the Cost of a Youth or Amateur Insurance Policy
Each company from which you might buy a youth or amateur sports insurance policy will have a different framework for calculating the total price tag of each package. However, it’s likely the following factors will impact that cost.
- The Nature and Size of the Business for Fitness Centers and Gyms: With gyms and fitness centers where youth and amateur sports are played, the nature and size of the facility will likely impact the cost of an insurance policy. Larger facilities that have more members will often need to pay more. That is because if there are more members and participants, the chances of an injury logically go up.
- The Age Group of the Participants: Younger individuals being involved in the sport or event that you’re planning can sometimes cause the cost of an insurance policy to go up as well.
- The Risks Associated with the Particular Sport Being Played: The sport being played and its nature will often play a part in the cost of a policy. Some sporting events are considered to be “non-contact,” while others are not. For instance, something like touch or flag football will likely not call for as expensive of a policy as you may have to buy for full-contact football. When you consider the kinds of injuries that are more likely with full-contact sports, it’s easy to see why.
We have now addressed how much sports insurance costs, a questions that you’re likely to ask if you’re planning to set up a youth or amateur league or one-off athletic event. You’ll likely feel that the sports insurance cost isn’t too much to ask when you weigh it against the fun opportunities these activities present for the participants.
Get Started With ESP Today
By calling (877) 670-2377 or emailing [email protected], you can speak to one of ESP’s representatives about the youth or amateur sports insurance policy that will suit you best. We encourage you to reach out so you can be sure you’re in the best position to protect your players and all other individuals involved in your event or activity.
