Navigating Insurance Coverage for School Sports Programs

There’s no denying the importance of sports programs on public school campuses. From staying fit to forming life-long friendships, student-athletes can find a community at their school, and everyone else finds comradery cheering for their school team. However, these athletes run the risk of getting hurt playing these sports, leaving parents and public schools grappling with the costs of their injuries.  

While all sports differ in how dangerous they are, in the U.S., about 30 million public school students participate in some form of organized sports through their campus, and more than 3.5 million injuries occur each year, according to Stanford Medicine. Almost one-third of all injuries incurred at public schools are sports-related. 

"About 30 million public school students participate in some form of organized sports through their campus, and more than 3.5 million injuries occur each year."

Most school districts across the U.S. do not provide medical, accident, or dental insurance for pupils injured on school premises or through school activities. However, the governing boards of school districts, community college districts, and the State Department of Education in California are obligated to provide insurance coverage for medical and hospital expenses resulting from bodily injuries to athletic team members. This coverage can be met through one of the following options: 

1. Accidental Benefits and Major Medical Coverage: Schools can offer a group or individual medical plan that includes accidental benefits of at least $200 per occurrence and major medical coverage of at least $10,000. The deductible should not exceed $100, and the plan must pay at least 80% of expenses per occurrence. 
2. Certified Equivalent Plans: Alternatively, schools can provide group or individual medical plans certified by the Insurance Commissioner as equivalent to the required coverage. These plans typically offer at least $1,500 in coverage. 
3. Minimum Coverage: At a minimum, schools must provide $1,500 for all medical and hospital expenses incurred due to accidental injuries. 

If your organization has an intramural or club sports-related accident, the repercussions could cause financial strain. Even though you may try to create a safe environment for student-athletes, you can never eliminate the risks. Educating parents and faculty on these insurance options above can help them prepare for when an injury occurs. At Keenan, we collaborate with several subject matter experts on school districts and can provide valuable insight and key solutions to keeping your students protected while they play. 

To read more about issues impacting schools and businesses and how our insurance expertise can benefit your organization, visit Keenan.com or contact a member of your account team.