Check if you’re covered under General Liability
Insurance carriers that write General Liability insurance for sports and recreation organizations take two approaches to covering lawsuits alleging sexual abuse and molestation. Some carriers’ policy forms remain silent on the issue under the theory that it is covered if it is not excluded. This is usually true, but some state case law may reach a contrary conclusion. However, most policy forms provide an affirmative grant of coverage for sexual abuse and molestation through a special endorsement.
For example, many carriers provide an endorsement that provides sex abuse and molestation coverage in the amount of $1 million Each Occurrence and $1 million Aggregate. Furthermore, the endorsement will usually include a laundry list of exclusions. An example of an exclusions would the perpetrator for remaining passive after an incident has come to the attention of management, etc.
Some policy forms may void sexual abuse and molestation coverage if the sports organization has not implemented a written procedure requiring a background check on all staff with access to youth. program or separately to each individual named insured, such as a league or club. It’s obviously best if the Aggregate applies separately to each league or club.
