Traveling with a college team requires a lot of attention, planning and labor. Whether a junior college, community college or major university, athletics brings in a lot of publicity for the school. When you need to compete with other schools, this likely means traveling.
Intercollegiate sports are extremely expensive enterprises to protect. Therefore, putting the team on the road puts it in harm’s way. Accidents, theft and injuries might result if you don’t take proper precautions to get your team from place to place. However, specialty types of insurance might be there to help you recover from these losses.
Getting Insurance for Your Team
As an enterprise, a college team needs insurance protection. Usually, athletics departments or risk management offices of the school invest in the coverage. College sports insurance usually comes in various forms. However, some that apply specifically to travel might include:
- Accident medical coverage for players. This usually includes coverage for catastrophic accidents and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Travel insurance to protect goods on the road
- Auto insurance to protect the college’s liabilities and vehicles while transporting the team
It’s up to the team managers to see that student athletes carry the appropriate levels of medical insurance. Should an accident occur, whether on the road or at home, injured players will need to seek medical attention. Many schools either provide or require student athletes to purchase this coverage.
Regarding transportation insurance, you will need to protect your physical assets during travel. A vehicle accident, theft or other incidents could cause losses to equipment, vehicles or other school-owned items. Therefore, the school itself will likely need to take a comprehensive look at its assets before getting coverage. Ask your insurance agent the specific types of coverage that will best benefit you.
Protecting Your Team
Before hitting the road, the team will need to get all its ducks in a row. Traveling will require dedication and oversight.
- Enforce strict rules for player behavior and conduct in travel and accommodations
- Abide by all rules required by your league or authorities like the NCAA
- Ensure that your team vehicles are in good working order
- Track and monitor all luggage, including equipment and personal belongings
- Bring verification of each player’s insurance information with you. Also carry all medical records and emergency contact information you possess.
The more steps you take to protect your team on the road, the better. Preparation can often create a higher degree of safety that might fall by the wayside if you behave negligently. To ensure that you have the correct insurance, contact one of our agents today.