When is PTA Sports Insurance Required??

As a rule, sports insurance is not legally required. However, sports insurance is crucial for Parent-Teacher Associations. Most schools will require sports insurance in order to keep students and others involved in the program safe in case of an accident. 

Whether your PTA program is large or small, schools will generally require some amount of sports insurance. The limits may depend on the size of the program, however, as well as the sports that are being held. High-risk sports such as tag football, gymnastics and other contact sports may require higher limits of sports and accident insurance.  

Requirements may also vary depending on the age of the participants. While younger participants tend to be clumsier, older kids and teenagers are more likely to participate in contact sports and roughhousing that could lead to a serious accident. 

Whether or not sports insurance is required, this is an important type of policy geared to keep students safe and parents content knowing that their child is covered in case of an injury. 

What Does Sports Insurance Cover for PTAs? 

There are a lot of dangers when it comes to PTAs and their participants. General accidents, sports injuries, property damage and even theft are all risks to take into consideration when running a PTA. 

Most PTAs benefit from sports-related insurance such as: 

• General Liability: General liability insurance covers accidents involving property damage or bodily injury occurs as a result of typical PTA operations, including special events. It can cover medical bills or property compensation for the victim as well as legal fees in case 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 is especially important if events and activities include sports or other physical participation. Medical payments coverage 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 (ex: $25,000 a year). 
• Directors and Officers Liability: Leaders in PTAs face their own set of risks, which can be covered with a D&O policy. D&O liability 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 important to have coverage in case a PTA member or volunteer makes the unfortunate decision to steal PTA funds. Crime insurance helps compensate for the stolen money so that a theft won’t ruin the PTA’s plans. 
• Property Insurance: PTAs may use school areas to function, but PTA participants also have their own belongings and property. Property insurance helps guard their items from 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: Say a volunteer drives their own vehicle to pick up supplies or participants for the PTA. They get in a bad wreck, and their insurance isn’t comprehensive enough to cover the damages. This is where non-owned auto liability coverage steps in. This coverage provides compensation if a volunteer causes an accident while driving for PTA-related purposes. 
• Personal Injury Coverage: This is another liability coverage that can protect your PTA. If the PTA makes claims on social media, over advertising or in person that someone else takes as libel or slander, a lawsuit may occur. Personal injury coverage helps cover such an incident. 
• Sexual Misconduct Insurance: Unfortunately, there are other incidents where a lawsuit might occur due to purposeful acts. When running an organization with young participants especially, sexual misconduct insurance is a must. This insurance steps in if a member of the organization or a volunteer is accused of sexual misconduct or assault. 

How Much is Sports Insurance for a PTA? 

The cost of sports insurance varies depending on the size of the program, coverage limits, locations, deductibles and more.  

Sports insurance limits should be calculated based on the program’s risk of injuries and accidents. Programs with a long history of claims may pay more for sports insurance as well as require higher limits for an accident.