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General Questions
The Application Process
Medical Expense / Accident Questions
General Liability Questions
Directors & Officers Liability Insurance
Crime Insurance Questions
Equipment Insurance

GENERAL QUESTIONS

1. What are the differences between the various insurance policies such as Medical Expense, General Liability, Directors & Officers Liability, Crime, and Equipment?

The best place to go to get a "crash course" in sports insurance basics is under the Free Reports section of the Amateur Sports Insurance Plan website by clicking on the Free Reports icon. We recommend the Free Report entitled "How To Avoid The 7 Deadly Sins When Buying Sports Insurance."

The $25,000 Medical Expense (also known as Accident) policy pays medical bills on behalf of injured participants. It has a "disappearing deductible" of $100 per claim. The coverage is "excess" which means that other collectable insurance such as parent's health insurance must respond first before the "excess" Medical Expense policy will pay any bills. In the event that there is no existing insurance in force on the injured participant, the "excess" Medical Expense policy become "primary" and pays up to the limit of $25,000 subject to the $100 deductible.

The $1,000,000 General Liability policy protects the sports organization and its people against lawsuits alleging injury to a spectator or player. This policy provides an attorney for your defense and will pay up to the policy limit in the event of settlement or jury verdict.

The $1,000,000 Directors & Officers Liability policy protects the sports organization and its people against lawsuits alleging discrimination based on age, sex, race, or handicap; wrongful suspension or termination of league personnel or players; failure to follow your own rules or by-laws when making a decision; and other similar alleged violations of someone's federal, state, or constitutional rights.

The $10,000 Crime policy protects a sports organization against a monetary loss caused by theft or embezzlement by its volunteers.

The Equipment policy protects the property of the sports organization such as sports equipment, field maintenance equipment, and small storage sheds against loss caused by perils such as fire, windstorm, theft, vandalism, etc.

2. What is the difference between a Class A sport and a Class B sport for the purposes of this insurance program?

As a general rule, Class A sports are the higher risk sports such as boxing, box lacrosse, broomball, cycling, diving, soccer over age 19, wrestling over age 19, football tackle and contact over age 19, lacrosse over age 19, martial arts, roller hockey, rugby, skiing (snow or water) and ice hockey.

For Class A sports, Medical Expense coverage is not available and the General Liability policy does not include Participant Injury Liability coverage. In other words, the General Liability coverage is limited to lawsuits arising from injury to spectators.

Class B sports are generally the lower risk sports such as baseball, T-ball, basketball, cheerleading, cricket, deck/floor/field hockey, flag football, figure/ice skating, football (tackle and/or contact age 19 & under), kickball, lacrosse age 19 & under, racquetball, soccer age 19 & under, softball, swimming, tennis, umpires/referees associations, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling age 19 & under.

For Class B sports, Medical Expense must be purchased (it is automatically included in the rates and a part of the General Liability policy) and the General Liability policy includes Participant Legal Liability.

3. Is our sports organization required to purchase all of the policies including Medical Expense/General Liability, Directors & Officers Liability, Crime, and Equipment?

No, the only policy that must be purchased is the Medical Expense/General Liability policy. Under this insurance plan for the Class B sports, these two policies are combined into one policy and there is no way to separately purchase the Medical Expense or the General Liability on a stand alone basis.

Once the Medical Expense/General Liability policy has been purchased, the other policies may be purchased on an optional basis. Please note that the Directors & Officers Liability, Crime, and Equipment policies cannot be purchased unless your sports organization purchases the Medical Expense/General Liability policy through Sadler & Company.

4. Are higher limits of coverage available?

Yes, the Medical Expense limit can be increased to $100,000 or $250,000.

5. If we are taking out the coverage under the name of our league, are we required to purchase insurance for all persons on all teams that participate within the league?

Yes, if it is your intent to apply for the coverage in the name of your league, you are required to pay a premium on behalf of all persons on all teams within your league.

The reason for this requirement is that the General Liability policy protects the league and its officers and directors in addition to team volunteers. Since the league and its officers and directors will be a target in virtually any lawsuit, a premium must be collected for all persons on all teams that participate under the league.

6. Is it possible to insure an individual team as opposed to the entire league?

Yes, it is possible to insure an individual team if the insurance is applied for under the name of the individual team. A premium must be paid for all players on the team.

It is not permissible to insure a single team if the application is taken out under the name of the entire league.

We strongly recommend that the insurance is taken out in the name of the entire league and a premium is paid for all persons on all teams participating on behalf of the league. In today's litigation conscience society, the risks are just too high of a volunteer losing everything in a lawsuit.

7. Is the Medical Expense/General Liability policy subject to a minimum premium?

Yes, the policy is subject to a minimum premium of either $230 or $345 depending on the limits of coverage that are chosen.

For example, if a single 12 & under baseball team purchases coverage on 14 players @ $5.12 per player, the total rate is $71.68. However, the minimum premium requires a payment of $230.

8. How long does coverage last?

Coverage lasts for one year from the effective date for all policies under this program. As a result, if your particular sport has more than one season, a single premium may provide coverage through two seasons.

9. What if new participants are added after we have applied for coverage?

If new participants are added at any time after the original application date, it is required that a new premium be paid on their behalf. This is true even if the new participants are offset by participants who have dropped off the roster. An Add/Delete Form is available on our website that can be used for adjusting your participation levels.

10. What if my sports organization only wants to buy Accident insurance and is not interested in General Liability or the other coverages?

It is not permissible to purchase the Medical Expense (Accident) coverage under this program on a stand alone basis. For this reason, you must call Sadler & Company at 1-800-622-7370 to receive a quote through a different insurance plan if you are only interested in purchasing Accident coverage.

11. Do the insurance policies provide coverage for accidents and lawsuits that arise out of travel to another state?

Yes, coverage is provided anywhere in the United States as long as the event is league sanctioned and adult supervised and not otherwise excluded by the policy.

12. Is coverage provided in the event that our league has several all-star teams that travel and play other teams outside our league?

Yes, coverage is provided for your travel teams playing away from your premises as long as the activity is league sanctioned and adult supervised.

13. What if a single team from outside of our league travels to our league to play a single game?

Coverage is provided for your sports organization for such a competition when a single team from outside your sports organization travels to compete against a team within your sports organization. However, the Medical Expense/General Liability coverages are not extended to protect the players and volunteers from the other team.

14. Does the policy provide protection in the event that your sports organization hosts a tournament?

No, if your sports organization hosts a tournament where outside teams are invited, you must purchase the additional Limited Hosted Tournament coverage that is described in the brochure. Please complete the supplementary application to apply for this special coverage. (If your tournament is more than 3 days or more than 150 participants call our office for alternate plan.)

15. Is coverage provided if my sports organization conducts a sports camp or clinic?

In the event that such a sports camp or clinic is conducted only with your organization's participants, this is automatically covered at no additional charge.

On the other hand, if your sports organization conducts a sports camp or clinic and members of the public outside of your sports organization are invited, such activities are not covered by this plan. It is recommend that you visit the Sadler & Company website and purchase the special coverage for Sports Camps And Clinics.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

16. Once my sports organization applies for coverage, how long does it take for coverage to become effective?

If applying for coverage online through our website, coverage is effective immediately upon completion of the online enrollment. An email verifying proof of coverage will be immediately sent back to the applicant.

If applying for coverage by fax, coverage is effective upon receipt of the fully completed application and correct check amount at Sadler & Company. When faxing a check, simply make the check payable to Sadler & Company in the correct amount, sign it, photocopy it, and fax the photocopy. Please see the other special instructions on our website about how to fax a check. Keep the original check for your records.

If applying for coverage by mail, coverage is effective upon receipt at Sadler & Company. Please note that the sole determining factor of the effective date is receipt at Sadler & Company and not the postmark date on the envelope.

17. Once my sports organization has applied for coverage through Sadler & Company, how long will it take for us to receive our proof of coverage certificates and claim forms?

As a general rule once the fully completed and signed application and correct check amount are received at Sadler & Company, all paperwork is issued and mailed within fourteen (14) business days. Therefore, please be sure to send your application and check with plenty of time to spare.

On the other hand, if you apply with our online option, you will immediately receive an email showing your proof of coverage.

18. What if I don't know the exact number of players that will be participating prior to applying for coverage?

Very few sports organizations know the exact number of players prior to the application process. It is suggested that you complete the application based on your best guess estimates and pay the appropriate premium amount. You can use our Add/Delete form that will allow you to adjust your figures after your roster has been finalized. If you initially underestimated the number of players, an additional premium will be owed with the Add/Delete form. On the other hand, if you initially overestimated the number of players, you will receive a refund after forwarding your Add/Delete form to Sadler & Company.

19. Is the total premium due up front or can it be financed?

The total premium is due with your initial application and can't be financed.

In the event that your sports organization has multiple sports that start at varying times during the policy year, you do not have to pay in advance for all sports as each sport can added prior to the start date. For example, if your effective date is March 1 and your sports organization plays baseball and flag football, you may wait until just prior to flag football season before adding the coverage for flag football and paying the premium that is owed for flag football.

20. Can I make my payment by credit card?

No, we can only accept payment by check.

21. Will I be notified once Sadler & Company has received our application?

No, it is not our normal procedure to provide notification of receipt as this extra step will disrupt our workflow process and will result in additional delays in issuance of the paperwork. If you are genuinely concerned about the effective date of your coverage, you should always fax the application and check and coverage will be effective on receipt of the fax at Sadler & Company. Your fax confirmation notice should serve as ample proof that the fax has been received. If you're still concerned, we suggest that you send an email to amateur@sadlersports.com requesting verification of receipt of your application.

Or you can use our online application and Proof Of Coverage will be emailed to you immediately.

Medical Expense (Accident) Insurance Questions

22. Is the Medical Expense insurance coverage "excess"?

Yes, the Medical Expense coverage is "excess" and requires other collectable insurance (such as parent's health insurance) to respond first before the "excess" Accident policy will pay any benefits.

23. Does the Medical Expense Plan contain a deductible?

Yes, the insurance plan contains a $100 "disappearing deductible". The deductible disappears to the extent that parent's existing health insurance, if any, has responded to the medical bills. As a general rule, the $100 deductible will only be applied when there is no existing health insurance in force on the injured participant resulting in this insurance plan providing "primary" coverage. On the other hand, when existing health insurance is in force on behalf of the injured participant, this plan will not apply its $100 per claim deductible to the extent that the existing insurance has paid at least $100.

24. If existing insurance coverage is through an HMO, PPO, or similar arrangement, is the person filing the claim required to follow the HMO or PPO rules for obtaining benefits?

Yes, failure to follow the HMO or PPO rules for obtaining benefits can result in a reduction of any potential amounts paid under the "excess" Medical Expense policy.

25. Who are covered persons under the policy?

Coverage is provided for all athletes, coaches, managers, referees/umpires, officials, and volunteers of an insured sports organization. No roster of names need be reported since 100% participation in the program is required.

26. What type of travel is covered under this policy?

Coverage is provided for adult supervised group travel as authorized by the policyholder directly to and from a covered event.

27. How do we turn in a claim in the event that a participant is injured?

A supply of claim forms will be included in your proof of coverage packet if application is made by fax/mail. If the online enrollment is used, the claim forms can be printed on our website. The authorized team official must complete part 1 of the claim form verifying that the injury occurred during a sanctioned event as well as the section asking specific questions about how the injury occurred. The parent must complete part 2 of the claim form. The claim form is then submitted to K&K Insurance where it is processed. All claim questions should be directed to K&K Insurance at the phone number that is printed on the claim forms.

GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE QUESTIONS

28. Who is covered by the General Liability policy?

Coverage is provided for the sports organization itself, its officers, directors, employees, and all volunteers including but not limited to coaches, managers, umpires, scorekeepers, concession workers, field maintenance workers, etc.

29. What activities are covered?

As a general rule, coverage is provided for all sports organization sanctioned and adult supervised tryouts, practices, games, outings, and tournaments.

30. What are some examples of activities or events that are not covered by the General Liability policy?

• Fireworks

• High risk fundraising activities involving amusement devices, animals, or motor sports. Call Sadler & Company prior to the high risk event as coverage may be added for an additional premium charge.

• Dances and concerts used for fundraising when the attendance exceeds 2000 attendees. Call Sadler & Company prior to such dances and concerts as coverage may be added for an additional premium charge.

• Events where alcoholic beverages are served where either 1)a charge is made for the alcoholic beverage or 2) a permit or license is required by a governmental entity to be taken out in the name of the sports organization. Call Sadler & Company prior to such an event as liquor liability coverage may be added for an additional premium charge (the minimum premium will be at least $500.)

• Tournaments that your sports organization hosts unless application for this special coverage has been made and the appropriate premium paid.

• Sports camps & clinics involving participants outside of your sports organization are not covered unless a separate policy is purchased through Sadler & Company.

• If your sports organization owns the premises/facilities or is contractually responsible under a long term lease, you will need to purchase an additional premises liability policy to extend the liability to cover the premise on a 24-hour basis (i.e., when teams are not participating in sponsored activities). Contact Sadler & Company for a supplementary application. There is an additional charge.

31. Does the policy provide coverage for lawsuits alleging sexual abuse and molestation?

No, Abuse/Molestation is excluded from coverage.

DIRECTORS & OFFICERS LIABILITY INSURANCE QUESTIONS

32. What is the difference between the Directors & Officers Liability policy and a General Liability policy?

This issue has caused quite a bit of confusion over the years. It is important to note that both policies cover exactly the same entities and people: the sports organization itself and its directors, officers, employees, and volunteers. However, each policy protects against a different type of lawsuit.

The General Liability policy primarily protects against lawsuits alleging the sports organization and its people have negligently caused "bodily injury" to a spectator or player. The policy also covers other types of lawsuits such as "property damage" and "personal injury" which includes slander and libel.

On the other hand, the Directors & Officers Liability policy protects against certain types of lawsuits that are not covered by the General Liability policy. The types of lawsuits that the Directors & Officers Liability policy is meant to cover include those alleging purely economic damages or that someone's rights have been violated under state, federal or constitutional law. Examples of potentially covered lawsuits under this policy include discrimination based on race, sex, age, or handicap; wrongful suspension or termination of league personnel or players; a league's failure to follow its own rules or by-laws when making an administrative decision; managerial negligence resulting in bankruptcy for the sports organization; and failure to maintain adequate insurance.

33. If my sports organization is really only interested in protecting its directors & officers, why can't it just purchase the Directors & Officers Liability policy for $400 instead of spending all of the money that is required to purchase Medical Expense/General Liability insurance on all participants?

There are a number of reasons why this thinking is flawed. First, since the Directors & Officers Liability policy does not cover "bodily injury," "property damage," and "personal injury," it is still necessary to purchase a General Liability policy to protect the directors and officers against these types of lawsuits. For example, the directors and officers can be sued in the event of injury to a spectator or a player. Second, in order to qualify to purchase the Directors & Officers Liability policy, the General Liability must be purchased through Sadler & Company. Why must a General Liability policy be purchased through Sadler & Company before a league can purchase the Directors & Officers Liability policy? The reason is that the Directors & Officers Liability policy could potentially cover a lawsuit alleging that the board of directors was negligent in failure to purchase Medical Expense or General Liability insurance. As a result, the insurance company will not offer the Directors & Officers Liability policy unless such coverages are already in place.

34. Is it important for my sports organization to renew its Directors & Officers Liability policy prior to its expiration date each year?

Yes, since your Directors & Officers Liability is a "claims made" policy, it is essential that there not be any lapse in coverage on the renewal. If there is a lapse in coverage, this can result in your protection being voided in the event that an incident that arose in the past does not result in lawsuit papers being filed until after your renewal.

CRIME INSURANCE QUESTIONS

35. What exactly does a Crime Insurance policy cover?

This policy protects the local sports organization against a monetary loss caused by theft of money, securities, or other property (equipment, machinery, concession supplies) by dishonest volunteers. This includes forgery by an identifiable officer or volunteer. Coverage is also provided for theft of money or securities by outsiders. This policy does not cover vandalism or theft of property by outsiders. See the optional equipment coverage if such protection is desired.

36. Do volunteers really steal money from organizations that serve children?

Yes, this happens much more often than anyone would like to believe. As a matter of fact, our office receives about twenty (20) phone call per year from leagues that have lost substantial amounts of money due to theft by volunteers. It is relatively easy for a dishonest volunteer to steal from a youth sports organization since such organizations don't have the necessary financial controls in place like most businesses do. For example, most sports organizations have inadequate safeguards for handling cash, don't require countersignature of checks, and allow the monthly bank statement to be reconciled by someone who is also authorized to deposit or withdraw.

37. Is it important that the Crime policy be renewed prior to its expiration date each year?

Yes, it is absolutely essential that the Crime policy be renewed without a lapse in coverage. A lapse in coverage under this policy can void coverage for past thefts that have not yet been identified if the claim is filed after the policy renewal date.

EQUIPMENT INSURANCE QUESTIONS

38. What does the Equipment policy cover?

Items that can be covered include sports equipment, field maintenance equipment, concession stand equipment, concession stock, or small storage sheds that your league leases/rents. The coverage is for loss or damage to your equipment due fire, theft, vandalism, or other specified causes (subject to actual policy terms and conditions). Payment will be made on replacement cost basis.

39. When setting the value for our equipment coverage, should we insure all of our equipment and should we choose an amount equal to book value (includes depreciation) or replacement cost value?

Because your policy has a 100% co-insurance requirement, you are obligated to insure 100% of your equipment. In addition, the values that you set must be based on replacement cost valuation. This means that you should insure the equipment for an amount that would replace such equipment with a brand new piece of equipment at today's prices. Failure to meet the policy's 100% co-insurance requirement based on replacement cost can result in a reduced payout when a claim is filed for a partial loss.

40. Is it possible to insure items like bleachers, scoreboards, and fences?

Yes, even though these items are more similar to buildings as opposed to equipment, it is permissible to insure them under the policy.

41. The plan description in the brochure indicates that it is permissible to insure small storage sheds. Is it also permissible to insure larger building with higher values?

In some cases it is permissible; however, please call Sadler & Company at 1-800-622-7370 to discuss such buildings on a case by case basis.

42. Do individual items need to be scheduled under the policy?

Only if their replacement cost value exceeds $1,000 per item. Items valued over $1,000 must be listed on a schedule which requires a brief description along with the corresponding replacement cost value.