Protect your Roller Derby Team Participants and Staff against serious injuries and lawsuits with the leading Accident and General Liability Insurance Program.
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Average quote turnaround time is 12 to 24 business hours.
General Liability
- Limits from $1 million to $5 million
- Occurrence Policy form
- Coverage for Athletic Participants
- Non-owned and Hired Auto option
- Sex Abuse & Molestation option
Accident
- Medical limits up to $25,000
- Deductible options
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment up to $10,000
The sport of competitive roller derby originated in the 1930’s. Its popularity is international, mostly among women, though menand young people are also becoming increasingly interested in the sport. Hosting roller derby teams offers roller skating rinks the opportunity to earn more income and draw crowds of spectators who may become patrons of the rink.
A roller derby game consists of short matchups of teams on the track, called jams. Newer tracks are flat, as opposed to the older, banked tracks. Bouts are between two teams of five members each, and last 30 minutes with points being scored during jams. Team members are required to wear helmets, mouth guards, elbow pads, knee pads, and wrist guards. Take time to view the video below for more information on protective gear.
Rinks offer spectator areas, penalty boxes, a good sound system, restrooms, changing areas, and snack areas.
Risk of Injury in Roller Derby
Roller derby is an excellent, full-body physical workout, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Injuries are common among roller derby participants. Injuries and other risks make roller derby insurance a must for rink owners, teams and leagues.
The most serious injuries are head injuries resulting from falls (including brain injury and concussion), but other injuries from falls range from the not-so-serious bumps and bruises to broken bones. Skaters can injure each other by colliding. Aggressive players can ignore the rules and grab another player, resulting in an injury. Below are the most common roller derby injuries, according to research conducted by the University of Utah School of Medicine Department.
- Knee injuries were most common (46%)
- Foot/ankle (15%)
- Shoulder (12%).
- Nearly 75% of injuries occurred during practice and most were related to overuse (79%).
Roller Derby Risk Management Practices Required by General Liability Insurance Carriers
- Proper maintenance and regular inspection of rink surfaces
- CPR training and first aid equipment (including ice packs for bumps and bruises)
- Hiring and proper training of referees
- Ensuring appropriate fitness levels of all participants
- Regular inspection of equipment (including requiring the correct mouth guards for those who have had extensive dental work)
- Proper training for participants in the derby
- Posting and enforcement of rules of the sport
- Adequate space between participants in the derby and spectators
- Posting of “wet floor” and “keep out” areas
- Posting of new Women’s Flat Track Derby Association rules (effective January 2013).
The WFTDA safety protocol is available on their website.
Even with risk management protocols in place, accidents and injuries will occur. Having proper Accident and General Liability roller derby insurance with sufficient limits can make a big difference in the unfortunate event of a lawsuit stemming from a roller derby team accident. Call (800) 622-7370 to discuss your roller derby insurance needs, or fill out our quick online application for a quote.