7 Camp And Clinic Liability Insurance Options That Protect Your Program (No One Wants To Think About #3, But It Is Crucial)

The phone call came on day three of a week-long basketball camp. A camper had collided with another player during a scrimmage and needed stitches. The camp director handled the situation calmly, got the child medical attention, and called the parents right away. But later that night, he found himself staring at his insurance paperwork, wondering if he actually had the coverage he needed.

If you have ever felt that uncertainty, you are not alone. Running a youth camp or clinic means juggling a hundred details, and insurance often gets pushed to the bottom of the list. But understanding your coverage options is what lets you sleep at night, knowing your program and the families you serve are protected.

At Bene-Marc Youth Sports Insurance, we have spent 53 years helping camp directors navigate these decisions. Here are seven liability insurance options to consider, and how each one fits into the bigger picture of protecting your camp.

1. General liability insurance

This is where every camp insurance conversation starts. General liability covers claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury that arise from your camp operations.

Picture this: a parent trips on an equipment bag and sprains her ankle. A camper accidentally breaks a window at your rented facility. A spectator claims your staff member made a defamatory comment. General liability responds to all of these scenarios.

Most facilities, parks departments, school districts, and municipalities require proof of general liability before they will let you use their space. Without it, you simply cannot operate in most locations. The policy typically extends to cover your coaches, volunteers, and staff members acting on behalf of the camp.

When a venue asks to be named as an “additional insured,” this is the coverage they are referring to.

2. Excess accident medical insurance

This might be the most important coverage that camp directors do not fully understand. It is also the one that makes the biggest difference for families.

Here is how it works. When a child gets injured at your camp and needs medical treatment, most families have health insurance with a deductible. On some plans, that deductible can be as high as $10,000. Imagine a family facing that bill after their child broke an arm at your camp. That is a painful financial hit for anyone.

Excess accident medical coverage fills that gap. With a typical deductible of just $250, our claims team works directly with the family’s health insurance to cover the expenses beyond what their plan pays. So instead of thousands of dollars out of pocket, the family pays $250.

And here is something many camp directors do not realize: if a participant has no health insurance at all, excess accident medical becomes the primary coverage. For families with limited resources, this can be life-changing.

This coverage shows parents that you care about their children beyond the drills and scrimmages. It is peace of mind for everyone involved.

3. Sexual abuse and molestation coverage

No one wants to think about this topic, but every organization working with children needs to address it.

We have seen what happens when organizations are unprepared. The fallout from abuse claims has devastated major national organizations, causing financial ruin and destroying reputations built over decades. Your camp, no matter how small, faces the same risks.

Sexual abuse and molestation coverage provides a critical layer of financial protection if allegations arise. It helps cover legal defense costs and potential settlements while investigations proceed.

But coverage alone is not enough. The real work is prevention. Background checks for every staff member and volunteer. Clear policies about one-on-one interactions. Open facilities where activities are visible. Training on recognizing and reporting warning signs. At Bene-Marc Youth Sports Insurance, we can point you toward resources on abuse prevention, because protecting kids is always the priority.

4. Hired and non-owned auto liability

Do your coaches ever drive campers to an off-site game or activity? Does anyone on your staff use their personal vehicle to pick up supplies or run errands for the camp?

If you answered yes to either question, you need hired and non-owned auto coverage.

Here is why. If a staff member gets into an accident while driving their own car on camp business, your general liability policy almost certainly does not cover it. The staff member’s personal auto insurance will be primary, but if the claim exceeds their limits, your camp could be held responsible for the rest.

Hired and non-owned auto liability closes that gap. It covers vehicles your camp rents as well as personal vehicles used for camp activities. This is especially important for camps that transport kids to tournaments, off-site practices, or special events.

5. Excess liability (umbrella coverage)

Sometimes a claim goes beyond what your primary policies can handle. A serious injury leads to a lawsuit. The damages exceed your general liability limits. What happens next?

Excess liability, often called umbrella coverage, provides an additional layer of protection above your existing policies. Think of it as a safety net for the worst-case scenarios.

In youth sports, lawsuits happen more often than you might expect. They sue because it is Tuesday, as the saying goes. Having umbrella coverage can mean the difference between weathering a difficult claim and shutting down your program entirely.

This coverage is especially worth considering if you run larger camps, multi-week programs, or operations with significant participant numbers.

6. Directors and officers insurance

If your camp is run by a board of directors or has officers making decisions on behalf of the organization, D&O insurance deserves a spot on your list.

Directors and officers coverage protects the people leading your organization from personal liability related to their management decisions. If a board member is sued for alleged mismanagement, breach of fiduciary duty, or wrongful employment practices, D&O insurance helps cover legal defense and potential settlements.

This coverage matters most for nonprofit camps, booster club-sponsored programs, and any organization with a formal governance structure. It gives your volunteer leaders confidence that serving on your board will not put their personal assets at risk.

7. Equipment insurance

Bats, balls, goals, nets, training gear, sound systems, tents, medical supplies. Running a camp means investing in equipment, and that equipment can be damaged, lost, or stolen.

Equipment insurance covers the physical property your camp uses to operate. Whether a storm destroys your pop-up canopies or someone breaks into your storage shed, this coverage helps you replace what you need to keep running.

For camps with significant equipment investments, this protection is worth considering. It is one less thing to worry about when something goes wrong.

Building coverage that fits your camp

Not every camp needs all seven options. A three-day skills clinic has different risks than a month-long residential program. The key is matching your coverage to your actual exposure.

At Bene-Marc Youth Sports Insurance, we take a different approach than most insurance companies. Instead of offering a one-size-fits-all master policy, we work with you to build a customized plan. Our team asks about your activities, your facilities, your staff structure, and your budget. Then we design coverage that actually makes sense for what you do.

And here is something that sets us apart: if we are not the right fit for your camp, we will tell you. We have sent clients to competitors when another provider could serve them better. Our president, Lisa Hall, built this company on a simple principle: do the right thing, even when no one is watching. We would rather earn your trust for the long term than make a sale that does not serve you well.

A real person answers when you call

When you call Bene-Marc Youth Sports Insurance, a real person picks up the phone. Not a phone tree. Not a voicemail system. A licensed agent who can actually answer your questions.

It sounds simple, but in an industry where reaching a human can feel impossible, it matters. Especially when you need a certificate of insurance by Friday and your venue is asking questions you cannot answer.

Our team has over 150 years of combined insurance experience. We are licensed in all 50 states. And we genuinely enjoy helping camp directors understand their options, because we know you got into this work to help kids develop skills and confidence. You did not sign up to become an insurance expert.

Get your free risk assessment

If you are running a youth sports camp or clinic this year, take a few minutes to make sure your coverage actually protects you. Our risk management team will review your program, identify any gaps, and help you build a plan that lets you focus on what matters most: creating great experiences for young athletes.

Call us at 800-247-1734 or click here to request a free assessment.

Play hard, rest easy, knowing you are covered.