FAQs (Insurance)

• How do coaches get insured?

  If you are a coach who is a registered member of a club that is affiliated to the British Softball Federation, you are covered for civil liability insurance while coaching softball in your club environment. This is through the club's insurance that it obtains through affiliation to the BSF. It might also include personal accident insurance if that is part of the Federation's insurance offering.

   

  If you are a member of the BaseballSoftballUK Coach Licence Scheme, you get civil liability and personal accident cover that extends beyond your club environment to apply wherever you are coaching baseball or softball. Find out more about the Coach Licence Scheme in the coaching section of the BaseballSoftballUK website.

   

  Find out more in the insurance section of the BaseballSoftballUK website.

• In terms of insurance, what should we do if an accident occurs during a softball event?

  An investigation of every incident should be carried out whilst those involved, including witnesses, still have a clear idea of the circumstances. For reference, a written report should be produced (this should be kept on file for at least three years). Your organisation should maintain a standard accident book which will record the key details.

   

  In the case of a civil liability incident (i.e. damage to property or injury to an individual which a member of your club may be judged liable for), it is crucial you DO NOT admit liability or agree to pay for any damage caused as this may result in the insurers not meeting the claim. The club should not issue compensation payment on the assumption that it will be reimbursed when the insurance claim is processed.

   

  You should also fill in and return the appropriate insurance report form to BaseballSoftballUK. This should be completed by a club or league official, or the event organiser, after talking to the injured party and witnesses.

   

  Report forms and much more information about insurance is available on the BaseballSoftballUK website.

• What’s covered on the softball insurance?

  You can find out what is covered by the British Softball Federation's civil liability and personal accident insurance policies over on the BaseballSoftballUK website's insurance section.

• How do I make a claim on my club’s insurance?

  The first step is to fill in and send to BaseballSoftballUK the appropriate insurance report form. This should be completed by a club or league official, or the event organiser, after talking to the injured party and witnesses.

   

  If a claim arises, then the insurers will require further documentation to be completed along with supporting paperwork and required information from those involved. In order for a claim to be assessed, it is essential that you provide accurate information when requested. This can sometimes be a lengthy process while investigations are carried out.

   

  The insurers will decide whether – and to what extent - a claim is successful. Communication between the insurers and claimants will be managed by BSUK.

   

  Report forms and much more information on insurance can be found on the BaseballSoftballUK website.

• What’s an incident report?

  It is important to report any incident linked to a baseball or softball activity which results in injury, accident or an insurance claim.

   

  This could be an injury to an individual or damage to property. Even if an incident does not result in an immediate insurance claim, BaseballSoftballUK is required to maintain a record of it on behalf of the baseball and softball federations and pass it on to the insurance brokers for their own records, in case a claim arises later.

   

  Please note that sending in the incident report does not constitute you making a claim – making a claim against the insurance policy involves completing the relevant insurer's claims form which you can obtain through BSUK once you have sent us the incident report. If the incident or injury reported is not covered in the insurance terms then you will not be able to make a claim.

   

  The BaseballSoftballUK website has more information about insurance.

• How do players get insured?

  Insurance is handled as part of the affiliation process between a club and the British Softball Federation. 
  
  Generally, it is softball leagues which affiliate and pay an insurance fee to the British Softball Federation. Going down the chain, clubs pay membership and insurance fees to their league, and players pay membership fees to their club, which includes annual insurance cover. The exceptions are tournament teams which don't play in a league but take part in BSF tournaments through the year. They will affiliate directly with the BSF, sometimes done through a tournament entry fee.
  
  The BSF requires that players be registered with their club on the British Softball website as a condition of insurance. This is to make sure that we can identify who is insured in the event of a claim. These sites also contain information on the affiliation/payment process.
  
  The BaseballSoftballUK website has more information about insurance.

• Does my club need insurance?

  The British Softball Federation requires affiliated clubs to have civil liability insurance. It also offers pPersonal accident insurance.

   

  The BSF requires that players be registered with their club on the British Softball website as a condition of insurance. This is to make sure that we can identify who is insured in the event of a claim. These sites also contain information on the affiliation/payment process.

   

  The BaseballSoftballUK website has more information about insurance.