If you live in America, chances are you’re a fan of the ice hockey team called the United States of America. The men’s and women’s teams both compete in the most recent Winter Olympics every four years, making for some exciting hockey games. But not every game ends in a win for the USA Hockey team. In fact, they’ve filed more than 150 complaints with the league since the year 2000, according to a document obtained by Vice Sports.
Hockey is a tremendously popular sport in the United States. In fact, the NHL reports that there are 300 million registered hockey fans worldwide and 45 million of those are in North America. So you might be asking yourself, “What does American Hockey Insurance coverage include?
To figure that out, let’s take a look at the types of claims that the insurance covers.
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Liability And General Liability
If you own or manage a hockey rink, you know how critical insurance coverage is for your operation. In 2015, there were more than 3,400 injuries that occurred during a hockey game, according to the National Hockey League. In about 10% of the cases, the injury was serious (defined as requiring medical treatment).
Thankfully, most hockey injury cases are not serious. They usually involve minor injuries such as bruises, sprains, and superficial cuts. Still, these types of injuries can cause significant financial harm to a hockey organization, especially if it results in a long absence from the ice. That’s why almost all hockey organizations in North America carry liability insurance coverage.
Liability insurance coverage protects you from damage claims resulting from an accident that occurs during the operation of your business. Essentially, it pays for the legal defense of the organization in case someone files a lawsuit against you due to an injury that you caused during your hockey activities. The coverage also pays for the settlement, or “indemnity,” of any such lawsuit. Finally, liability insurance coverage also covers the costs associated with changing the locks and the installation of security cameras at your rink.
Medical Expenses And Professional Liability
If you’re one of the 10% of hockey players that experience serious injuries during games, you’ll want to make sure that you’re properly cared for after the accident. Luckily, many insurance companies have special medical expense policies that cover the costs associated with surgery, hospitalization, and other invasive treatment. In most cases, the insurance company will also cover the costs of prescribed medication and rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, not all insurance companies are made equal when it comes to paying for medical treatment. Some companies have a maximum amount of coverage that they will pay for on a per day basis. Once that limit is reached, the insurance company will not cover further medical expenses, even if the patient is in serious need of medical treatment. This is where you need to be mindful of which insurance company you choose because it can make a big difference in your ability to get the treatment you need.
If you play in a high school or college hockey league, you’ll likely be covered by a standard athletic insurance policy, commonly referred to as a ‘Graduated athlete benefits policy.’
Harscoat Damage
If you’re playing a regular season game and your uniform gets dirty during the contest, you’ll want to make sure that you clean the clothing before and after the game. However, many times the conditions at the game site aren’t ideal for having your attire cleaned prior to and after the game. If this happens, you could be covered by a policy called ‘harscoat damage.’
Harscoat damage coverage pays for the cleaning of clothing that gets soiled during or after the game. It’s generally accepted that most of the dirt and stains on the uniforms come from the playing surface. Still, some players experience dirt and stains on their clothes from the lighting equipment or stadium seats. In any event, if your clothing gets damaged due to dirt, stains, or grease, this coverage will help alleviate some of your financial concerns.
Automobile Liability
A lot of people don’t think about automobiles as being ‘sports’ vehicles’ but the truth is that they can be. The National Hockey League reports that there were more than 1.8 million registered car and truck drivers in the United States as of 2016. If someone gets seriously injured in a car accident while driving to or from a hockey game, you can bet that they will want to hold you, the owner of the car, responsible for their injuries. Luckily, most insurance companies will cover the costs associated with medical treatment and lawsuits for people who are driving a car for your organization or paid by your organization to drive your car.
Professional Staff And Owners Hire-A-Car
If you have more than five players on your roster who are non-drivers, you might consider renting a car for the day of the game. After all, getting to and from the game can be a pain without having your own vehicle. You can use this option if your team has an off day and you want to give everyone a treat. A lot of professional staff and owners hire-a-car companies will provide drivers and a variety of vehicles so that you can choose which one fits your needs.
Some teams even have an option for players and staff to rent a yacht for the day of the game. After all, a smooth-water or lake site would make for a more comfortable sailing or paddling experience. If you have enough money to afford a yacht, you might want to consider renting one for the day of the game. That way, you can enjoy the experience without worrying about getting in or out of your vehicle.
As you can see, there are a lot of different types of insurance coverage that a hockey organization might need. It’s important to find a company that offers the types of coverage that you need and that is also affordable. Otherwise, you might find yourself spending more than you can afford.