Player Accident

PLAYER ACCIDENT INSURANCE


Personal Accident (player cover)
The value of this cover is very underestimated and should be considered after gather more information. Here we have gone into a fair bit of detail around industry take, how it is used, the benefits and how it can be even profitable to your business.  Personal Accident cover of is taken up by virtually every sporting club (football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, rugby etc) and is referred to as a player accident policy.


Martial arts surprisingly, from an outside perspective, doesn’t have as many injuries as the sports mentioned above and therefore only around 40% - 45% clubs take it up. This is mainly due to martial arts instructors not knowing the full benefits of this additional optional cover or as a business decision, don’t want to pay the extra for it.


Gyms and fitness studios hardly take it up at all and the ones that do are generally a hybrid gym and martial arts facility. Gym owners should take another look at player accident cover, as the benefits make it a great asset.


Here are the three main benefits of adding player accident cover to your public liability policy:
1. You can reduce the chance of a painful drawn-out liability claim being brought upon you and losing a member. By claiming on the PA policy, the member can quickly receive reimbursement of medical costs, loss of wages or permanent disability, without going through a legal process to prove negligence. You then increase member loyalty and create an advocate because you supported them when it counts.
 
2. There are three levels of cover that will expand the payout limits and inclusions to fit the benefit you want to provide, for your members.


3. The real winner is you can add income to your business by not only passing on the cost to your members, but adding a service fee to manage the process. Most businesses will charge a member between $25-$50 per year included in the gym’s membership. The cost per person to the business, is much lower than this, allowing operators to cover all their insurances and make extra revenue. For further details on how this can be even more profitable, talk to us today.

How does the personal accident policy work in the event a member injures themselves?


A member may strain a muscle lifting a weight or train too vigorously in a class and require rest, physio and massage for example. Some people will take that on board themselves and return after they have rested and had therapy at their own cost. This is an opportunity to offer them some support by way of ‘no cost’ chiropractor, masseur, naturopath, osteopath or physiotherapist treatments to the limit of the schedule.
 
For an injury that requires surgery it will take a longer time to recover, so they can also access ‘loss of wages’ and the following costs reimbursed:
• Private Hospital accommodation and theatre fees

• Emergency transportation

• Orthotics, splints and prosthesis used solely for their treatment

• Expenses incurred in respect of a dentist 
* Lump sum payment for permanent disability


The personal accident cover allows injured members to make a claim for medical, loss of wages and total permanent injury, without having to take legal action against the gym, through their public liability policy. Offering a member with a strained muscle some free physio sessions is great PR and reduces the chance of a full public liability claim. 

SOME OF THE AREAS OF SUPPORT AVAILABLE UNDER THE PERSONAL INJURY

Player Accident / Personal Accident often comes with a Loss of Wages supplement
This extra cover allows students who are injured to receive a benefit otherwise not covered under their standard Medicare or Private Medical Insurance.
Personal Accident Insurance covers you and your members in case of accidental injury, disability and/or death. This insurance may also provide lump sum benefits due to death or permanent disability from accidental injury and weekly benefits for temporary disablement due to accident, injury or sickness.


The personal accident cover allows injured members to make a claim for medical, loss of wages and total permanent injury, without having to take legal action against the gym, through their public liability policy. Offering a member with a strained muscle some free physio sessions is great PR and reduces the chance of a full public liability claim.


Please be advised that Medicare medical expenses are excluded with no Medicare benefit being payable, whether in part or in whole. This includes expenses where a “Gap” payment is incurred from expenses following a Medicare rebate. Items which are usually covered by Medicare or contain a Medicare rebate and are not payable include:

• Doctor consultations

• Public Hospital fees

• Surgeon & surgeon’s assistance fees

• X-rays


Please note the health insurance act -
This is Governed under the Health Insurance Act (1973), Section 126, which states:

“Where there is a contract of insurance (whether made before or after the commencement of this section) under which the insurer is liable to make a payment in the event of the incurring by that person of liability to pay medical expenses in respect of the rendering in Australia of a professional service, there is an implied condition in the contract that the insurer is not liable for loss arising out of the incurring of liability to pay medical expenses in respect of the rendering in Australia of a professional service in respect of which a Medicare benefit is payable”.


How it may cover you depending on the policy and limits - Check the insurer's schedule for the full listing.
- Personal accident, lump sum payment for accidental death or permanent disability
- Broken bones payment for accidental injury
- Weekly benefits payment for temporary total disablement
- Scope of Cover can include worldwide (excluding some countries)

- Dental

- Ambulance

- Physiotherapy / Massage
- Weekly benefits are payable for up to 52-104 weeks after the accident or sickness
- Employees or self employed may not be eligible

Share by: