Insurance Issues – Frequently Asked Questions
John Sheppard CB Safeguarding Manager - Yorkshire
01302 724383 (H) 07801 537130 (M)
Although this dates from the 2009-10 season the answers remain the same.
Q. Who needs insurance and why?
A. Rugby is a physical contact sport and as such brings the risk, albeit very slight, of very serious injury. Over the past few years there have been, on average, three very serious injuries per year resulting in maximum benefits being paid out. It is compulsory for all teams of all member clubs to have adequate insurance, in this case the RFU's Accidental Death and Permanent Total Disability (ADPTD) policy.
Q. Who is covered?
l Any player, manager, assistant manager, coach, medical attendant or physiotherapist playing or training and while travelling to or directly from an organised fixture by coach, train or aeroplane as part of an organised party.
l Match officials, adjudicators or selectors while engaged in official duties and whilst travelling to or from their place of residence provided at all times travel is direct.
l Any elected officer, regional representative or council member of the Rugby Football Union while engaged on the business of the Rugby Football Union and whilst travelling to or from their place of residence provided at all times travel is direct.
Q. What is the basic cover and what are its limitations?
A. This is a Death and Permanent Total Disability policy and the benefits are for catastrophic injury only.
Q. What Club activities in respect of the ADPTD policy are covered?
A. Cover will only apply if the Club's activities fall within the RFU Rules & Regulations. Failure to abide by these rules and regulations may result in the insurance being invalidated for the entire team. If you have any questions relating to the Rules & Regulations please contact the RFU.
Q. Would our players be covered if they were to play in the wrong age group? For example, could a 16 year old play senior rugby because there is no junior section at the club?
A. Cover will only apply if your clubs' activities fall within the RFU Rules & Guidelines. Failure to abide by these rules and guidelines may result in the insurance being invalidated for the entire team. If you have any questions relating to the Rules & Regulations please contact the RFU.
Q. My club is affiliated to the RFU but the women’s/girls' team(s) is not affiliated to the RFUW. Can the women’s/girls' team(s) train and play under the clubs affiliation?
A. No. Cover for any Women’s/Girls team(s) can only be granted if they are affiliated to the RFUW. For more details see the affiliating womens teams pages of this website.
Q. When does cover apply?
A. The period of cover runs from 1st August 2009 until 31st July 2010
Q. Are there any geographical limitations to cover?
A. No. If on a tour (maximum 31 days) players are covered whilst playing matches and training subject to obtaining the prior permission of the RFU.
Q. Are we covered all year round?
A. Yes – subject to the Rules & Regulations of the Rugby Football Union.
Q. Are we covered for pre-season training?
A. Yes – subject to the Rules & Regulations of the Rugby Football Union.
Q. We have a one-off fixture for a team not included in the annual cover. How do we arrange insurance?
A. You will need to complete the ‘One-off match’ form and pay a £35 administration fee payable to the Rugby Football Union. The cheque and form should be sent to Rugby Football Union Tournaments & Competitions Department, Rugby Football Union, Rugby House, Rugby Rd, Twickenham TW1 1DS.
Please note: Cover will not be provided unless the completed form and administration fee has been received by Tournaments & Competitions Department before the date of the game/tournament.
Q. We have a guest player. Will he be covered by the club’s compulsory playing insurance?
A. Yes. It is the club team which is the insured party and all players in the side are included.
Q. I am 55 years old and am intending to play for a senior team. Do I have cover?
A. Yes. Whilst the rules say no player under the age of 17 may play for a senior team, there is no upper age limit for the compulsory scheme.
Q. Is death by natural causes covered?
A. No. Death by Natural Causes is not covered by the compulsory scheme. The reason for this is that the RFU policy covers against accidents specifically associated with playing rugby. It is not the intention to provide cover for other risks or to supplement an individual’s private insurance, in this case life cover.
Q. Our club is holding an open day and will be inviting members of the public to participate in a practice session and short game. Will they be covered?
A. Your cover will extend to include members of the public taking part in a training session and coaching games as part of an official recruitment programme, as long as the activities included adhere to RFU guidelines.
Q. We are going on tour. What cover is provided under the scheme?
A. The scheme provides cover whilst playing tour matches whether at home or abroad. Overseas tours are subject to obtaining the prior permission of the RFU.
Q. As referees we do not pay premiums for compulsory insurance. How do we know we have cover and when does it apply?
A. Insurers have agreed that all compulsory benefits are available to match officials who are members of a referee society in all games, including one-off matches.
Q. I am not a society referee. How do I know if I have cover?
A. No, optional club insurance is available from Marsh, the RFU's official insurance broker. The policy provides a range of covers including property, business interruption, and legal expenses.
Q. Does the cover extend to the club's premises and property?
A. No, optional club insurance is available from Marsh, the RFU's official insurance broker. The policy provides a range of covers including property, business interruption, and legal expenses. For more information, visit the Club Property Insurance page.