Sports Insurance for PTAs

Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) allow parents and teachers to collaborate on various activities for students. Sometimes these are sports-related events, and accidents and injuries can occur. When children are involved in physical activities, there is an increased risk of injury.  

Schools don’t always provide insurance for PTAs. Even though they often operate within schools, schools often don’t see PTAs as their organizations. Because PTAs aren’t part of schools, PTAs must carry insurance if accidents occur at one of their PTA-sponsored events.  

Why Is Sports Insurance Important?  
Sports insurance is essential for keeping students safe and parents satisfied knowing their children are covered if an injury occurs at a PTA sports function.  

And although sports insurance is not an industry requirement, it’s still recommended PTAs have it for their programs, whether large or small. The amount of insurance depends on the program’s size and the sports played. If students play high-risk sports, such as tag football, gymnastics or other contact games, a higher insurance limit may be required.  

Requirements also vary depending on the age of the students. While younger children tend to be clumsier, older kids and teenagers are more likely to participate in contact sports and roughhousing, leading to more severe accidents.  

What Does Sports Insurance Cover for PTAs?  
Sports events pose many risks to PTAs and their participants. A PTA must meet with an insurance company to create a comprehensive program based on their specific needs. Most PTAs benefit from sports insurance; however, they may also want additional coverages for their group. Other coverages a PTA may wish to consider include: 

• General liability—General liability insurance covers accidents involving property damage or bodily injury resulting from typical PTA operations, including special events. It can cover medical bills or property compensation and legal fees if the victim decides to sue. General liability insurance may also cover personal and advertising injury for claims concerning libel, slander, malicious persecution and more.  

• Medical payments coverage—Medical payments coverage provides compensation if a student or participant is injured. This protection is essential if events and activities include sports or other physical participation. Medical payments insurance is separate from the coverage available under general liability insurance.  
• Excess accident—Excess accident insurance is an optional insurance policy that provides extra coverage for medical expenses due to sports-related injuries. This insurance may have a limit for a claim or policy term.  
• Directors and officers (D&O) liability—A directors and officers liability policy may cover some of the perils PTA leaders face. D&O insurance provides legal expense help if someone directly sues a director or officer of the PTA.  
• Crime insurance—Even though you trust your staff implicitly, it’s essential to have coverage if a PTA member or volunteer makes the unfortunate decision to steal PTA funds. Crime insurance helps compensate for the stolen money so that theft won’t ruin the PTA’s plans.  
• Property insurance—PTAs often use school areas, but PTA participants bring their personal belongings and property. Property insurance helps guard their items against theft and damage.  

• Rented premises liability insurance—While some organizations operate on school grounds, this isn’t always the case, especially for events that require more space. Rented premises liability insurance can provide compensation if damage occurs to the rented space.  
• Non-owned auto liability coverage—This coverage provides compensation if a volunteer causes an accident while driving for PTA-related purposes.  
• Personal injury coverage—Personal injury coverage helps cover such a lawsuit that may occur if the PTA makes claims on social media, over advertising, or in person that someone else takes as libel or slander. 
• Sexual misconduct insurance—When running an organization with young participants especially, sexual misconduct insurance is a must, especially if a member of the organization or a volunteer faces sexual misconduct or assault charges.

How Much Is Sports Insurance for a PTA?  
The cost of sports insurance for a PTA depends on the size of the program, coverage limits, locations, deductibles and more. Your sports insurance policy limits depend on your program’s risk of injuries and accidents. If your PTA program has a long history of claims, you may pay more for sports insurance as well as require higher limits for an accident. 

To ensure your PTA program has the sports insurance package best suited for your needs, call Bene-Marc today at 800-247-1734.