Common questions around club insurance

Is there any language that prohibits the club from attempting to educate riders of best practices to avoid injury?  Let's say riders were trained to hop an obstacle.  A rider a attempts this and gets injured and sues the club as gross negligence even with a signed waiver.  Would the club still be covered for legal costs for such a case?

• The General Liability policy does not have a training exclusion. There is not language in the General Liability policy that prohibits the club for attempting to educate riders on best practices. The General Liability policy does contain Defense Cost. The policy should respond however, we cannot provide an affirmative statement about coverage due to the insurance carrier will handle each claim individual and apply the policy terms and conditions. 

We have the capacity to list other groups rides on our website as "unaffiliated" rides.  We charge no fees and do not organize these events.  Is this okay with our insurance?

• Club members that have signed a waiver are covered under the club general liability policy.
  Random riders that join in with a group of riders are NOT covered under this policy, however they would be considered as a 3rd Party. This policy protects the club members from a 3rd Party suit due to bodily injury or property damage.

If we had a ride and made it exclusive to members, and people sign up just to do that ride, could that be interpreted as a fee for a ride? They would be full members, entitled to anything other members get. 

• As long as it’s an annual membership fee and you’re not charging a fee for a one time ride, that is ok.

if one of our riders (registered with the club or not) crashes and need surgery can we file a claim to cover their expenses?

• No coverage would be available for club participants/members. That coverage would be Medical Expense coverage and this policy excludes that coverage. It would be best filed with their personal health insurance policy. USAC does have a coverage available for 24/7 coverage while on the bike. The non-club member would need to file a lawsuit and provide proof of legal liability that the club caused their bodily injury in order for the General Liability policy to respond.

what if a rider crashes and tries to sue us?

• If the rider was a club participant then the waiver should be the first defense used with the rider. If they continue with the lawsuit, the policy would response for defense cost. Once again the club would have to be found legally liable for causing the bodily injury or property damages.

How to make sure a coach working with the club is protected? 

• Club insurance and coach insurance covers junior programs and coached club events as long as the following conditions are met:
  • All coaches & athletes are club members
  • Each Coaches license is current and they have purchased coaching insurance.
  • The fees are housed in the club/program fees and it’s not a stand alone event with a registration fee (clinic in a box product)