The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) has renewed its $1 million Personal Liability Insurance benefit to all members in the United States beginning Sept. 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024. This coverage typically comes into play when a lawsuit is filed against the coach for bodily injury or property damage.
Members who are permanent U.S. Residents can activate this insurance simply by registering for membership! No further steps are required. Coaches should be sure to renew their ABCA memberships, with no lapse in membership after August 31, as insurance is not in effect during a lapse and incidents during that time cannot be covered.
"We are happy to continue to offer this membership benefit, which we have received very strong feedback about," said ABCA Executive Director Craig Keilitz. "This is a way to protect our members, who are not covered by their employers in every case. Nobody thinks they are going to face a lawsuit, but Personal Liability Insurance provides financial assistance and peace of mind for our members."
Coverage applies to individual current ABCA member coaches in good standing who are U.S. residents while conducting direct one on one or group baseball or softball coaching or instruction at a practice or playing facility. Coverage is NOT extended to the following operations: facility ownership, long-term lease arrangements, 24-hour management responsibilities, teams, leagues, camps, clinics, business entities, and respective officers, directors, and staff.
The coverage will be provided through State National Insurance Company, which is rated "A" (excellent) by A.M. Best. Because it is an Association-held policy, the limits and coverages cannot be changed at a coach's request.
Coverage will run September 1 through August 31 of the given membership year. A certificate of insurance will be mailed with the coach's membership card.
If purchased by an individual, similar Personal Liability Insurance coverage would most likely cost over $400 per year.
Owners/Lessors of Premises are Additional Insureds with respect to premises leased, loaned, or rented to current ABCA member coaches in good standing arising out of member coach’s operations as a baseball coach.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Basics...
Question: Who is eligible for this coverage?
Answer: All permanent residents of the United States who are 2023-24 ABCA members are covered for the period Sept. 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024. Coverage ends when the coach's membership expires.
Question: When does my insurance coverage begin?
Answer: Your coverage begins starting on or after September 1, 2023, when you register for 2023-24 ABCA membership.
Question: I was an ABCA member in 2022-23 and have not gotten around to renewing yet. Will I be covered if an incident happens after Sept. 1, 2023?
Answer: NO. Your 2022-23 coverage expired August 31, 2023. You need to renew your membership for 2023-24 in order to be covered. Coverage begins at the date and time the membership is activated.
Question: Do I need to complete any documentation to activate my coverage?
Answer: NO. As soon as your membership registration is processed, your coverage is active.
Question: I need clarification about what my Personal Liability Insurance covers. How can I get answers about this?
Answer: Email Sadler Sports Insurance
Question: In what situations does this insurance apply to an ABCA member coach?
Answer: Coverage applies to individual current ABCA member coaches in good standing who are U.S. residents while conducting direct one on one or group baseball or softball coaching or instruction at a practice or playing facility.
Question: Does the ABCA coach liability policy mean that it is not necessary to buy separate insurance for a business, team, league, camp, or clinic?
Answer: NO, the ABCA policy does NOT extend coverage to the following entities: facility ownership, long-term lease arrangements, 24-hour management responsibilities, teams, leagues, camps, clinics, business entities, and respective officers, directors, and staff.
Question: Does this insurance cover softball as well as baseball?
Answer: YES. This policy covers individual ABCA member coaches in good standing while acting in their capacity as a baseball and/or softball coaches.
Question: Can I increase the coverage of this insurance policy?
Answer: NO. Because it is an Association-held policy, the limits and coverages cannot be changed.
Question: How do I request a certificate of insurance?
Answer: Your certificate of insurance will be mailed with your membership card. If you haven't received it yet or lost it, email [email protected].
Question: How do I file an insurance claim?
Answer: Email Sadler Sports Insurance
Insurance Coverage Scenarios...
Question: Coach Thomas asks a player to slide into second base during a game and that player breaks his ankle. The parents file a lawsuit against Coach Thomas for damages to the player. Is Coach Thomas coach covered?
Answer: YES. Any player that is injured while playing and sues the insured and the insured is legally liable for the injury; the coverage would be under the Legal Liability to Participants. This is a $1,000,000 limit per occurrence.
Question: Coach Wilson is running an instructional baseball drill at an offsite facility (not his campus or organization's facility). His players break a light fixture at this facility. The facility sues for the cost of light fixture and repairs. Is Coach Wilson covered?
Answer: YES (up to $300,000).
Question: Coach Thomas leases or rents a pitching machine and that machine is damaged in a fire. Will Coach Thomas be covered for the cost of replacing the pitching machine?
Answer: NO. There is no coverage for physical damage for equipment rented.
Question: Coach Jackson is playing catch with a player. The player misjudges the ball and is hit in the face with the baseball. As a consequence, he needs to be taken to the hospital. Is the Coach Jackson covered if sued?
Answer: YES. If sued, Coach Jackson has a defense.
Q: Will Coach Jackson's insurance cover medical costs for the player? A: NO.
Q: Are the costs for the player's parents' travel to the hospital covered? A: NO.
Question: Coach Jackson invites players over to his home for an end-of-season barbecue. One of the players is injured while driving an all-terrain vehicle owned by Coach Jackson. Is Coach Jackson covered if sued by parents?
Answer: NO. This insurance does not apply for damages resulting from activities during a non-baseball coaching activity.
Disclaimer: The questions and answers above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a guarantee of coverage. Whether coverage exists or not is dependent on the unique circumstances of each incident, the exact allegations in the lawsuit filing, and the policy language. Refer to the actual insurance policy for all coverages, definitions, exclusions, and limitations.
QUESTIONS?
Questions regarding the ABCA's Personal Liability Insurance policy should be directed via email to Sadler Sports Insurance.
Email Sadler Sports Insurance