Why Intercollegiate Sports Need Accident Insurance

Whether it’s proud alumni or fervent fans, intercollegiate sports rival professional sports with nation-wide popularity. They’re big business for the schools because they promote revenue and student recruitment. And, they often open the doors for student-athletes who want to turn pro after (or sometimes even before) graduation. So when an unexpected student-athlete injury occurs, it’s not surprising that it can have substantial financial and reputational repercussions.

For over 25 years, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) collected injury reports from trainers showing 200,000 injuries, totalling approximately 12,500 a year. The cost of contact sport injuries is estimated to range from $446 million to $1.5 billion per year. But, who is paying for it? While the NCAA will step in with catastrophic insurance if medical bills reach $90,000, someone else must cover the costs up to that threshold.

Student-athletes are required to have personal health insurance before they can play. If injured, they and their families are the ones burdened with the out-of-pocket medical costs not covered by their insurance, up to $90,000. Many families (and the public) are outraged because the student received the injury while possibly putting his or her life on the line for the school’s benefit.

Unhappy families may decide to sue the school for damages. This can result in public exposure, damaging the school’s reputation and recruitment opportunities. Fortunately, there is a solution you can offer your intercollegiate school clients to this unfortunate situation.

Protect Athletics Programs From Litigation as Well as Financial and Reputational Loss

Many D1, D2, and D3 schools are turning to accident programs that help defray out-of-pocket medical costs not covered by the student-athlete’s personal insurance.

As Dixon Gillis, CEO of A-G Administrators explains, “Accident insurance plans are designed to help fill the holes left by health insurance plans. These include deductibles that have to be met or out-of-pocket costs not covered by the insurance. When combined with personal insurance, an accident plan rounds out the protection and helps limit the financial drain on families.”

A-G Administrators is no stranger to sports insurance and its unique exposures. With a reputation for being the leading sports insurance specialist in the industry, we work with over 675 colleges and universities across the United States on their accident insurance and risk management needs. We understand how to manage the financial repercussions when the unexpected happens and how to remove administrative roadblocks for quick resolutions.

Among our popular programs for colleges and universities, we offer secondary injury, catastrophic injury, and participant injury policies that can each be adapted to your client’s needs.

1. Secondary Injury or Excess Accident Injury Insurance

This plan ensures student-athletes have no gap in their personal coverage before reaching catastrophic plan insurance deductibles ($25,000 for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), $35,000 for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA), or $90,000 for the NCAA).The coverage offers:

• Fully insured, per claim, and aggregate deductible options
• One year, two, or three years and beyond benefit periods
• Expanded coverage for overuse, repetitive stress, and overexertion injuries
• Expanded coverage for heart and circulatory issues
• Coverage for pre-existing conditions
• Extended coverage for expenses denied by HMOs/PPOs
• Guest/recruit coverage (including official visits and try-outs)
• Accidental death and dismemberment benefits

2. Catastrophic Injury Insurance

A-G Administrators’ plans work in tandem with the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA’s requirements. The NCAA catastrophic insurance plan carries a $90,000 deductible, while the NJCAA’s plan has a $25,000 deductible and the NAIA’s plan has a $35,000 deductible. A-G’s programs carry lifetime benefits and can include:

• Five-year, ten-year, or lifetime benefit options
• Catastrophic maximums from $1-$10 million
• Flexible deductible options
• Specific benefits for:
  • College education
  • Home adaptation remodeling
  • Vehicle adaptation
• Benefits for total and partial disability
• Cash benefits for loss of income, ongoing medical care, and family expenses

3. Participant Injury Insurance

This coverage is for injuries that occur at officially-sponsored activities hosted by your client’s organization. It can be tailored to meet their needs and may include:

• Fully insured, per claim, and aggregate deductible options
• One, two, or three year benefit periods
• Extended coverage for expenses denied by HMOs/PPOs
• Coverage for travel to and from officially-sanctioned events
• Accidental death and dismemberment benefits

With these three flexible program options, you can be confident your school clients will find the coverage or coverages they need.

And, most importantly, Gillis says, “There are almost never any out-of-pocket expenses for student-athletes or schools once implemented.”

That is a relief for all involved: The family and patient can concentrate on recovery without the financial worries, and the school can relax knowing they’ve done their best for the student-athletes in their care. And, know that their athletic program and reputation remain unblemished and financially secure.

However, with all the benefits of accident insurance, there are two areas that your clients may question: the cost of premiums and claims management. A-G has a unique approach to handle both.

With Best-In-Class Service and Savings, A-G’s on Your Winning Team

At A-G, we use EGBAR (Efficiency Generating Business Automation Resource). This proprietary claims management application provides instant access to claims information and relationship-building to cut through administrative red tape. And, helps save money for athletics directors and their staff. This is done through:

• Risk consulting: A-G monitors risk in real-time, benchmarks medical expenses, and handles individual case management.
• Direct negotiation: A-G works directly with providers and facilities for discounts, with no fee charged for this service, unlike others.
• PPO networks: A-G has relationships with regional and national networks and works directly with them for discounts, again with no fee charged.

If your college and university clients are ready for the A-G difference to help keep programs and student-athletes financially free from harm, start here to get a quote. We look forward to talking soon.