FAQs
We understand that sports insurance can sometimes be confusing and raise a lot of questions. To help, we’ve answered some of your most commonly asked questions about Baseball Australia’s National Insurance Program here.
How do I get this insurance cover?
Coverage is provided automatically as part of your Baseball Club’s membership. For membership enquiries please contact your Association or local Club. Alternatively, you are covered if you are a coach performing sanctioned Association or Club coaching activities or registered with a Baseball Club, or volunteer for a Baseball Club.
What measures can Associations & Clubs take in order to minimise risks and reduce potential claims?
- Ensure that all participants (players and coaches) are registered members of Baseball Australia or an affiliated Association or Club prior to commencing baseball activities.
- Actively encourage registered coaches to undertake accreditation courses.
- Keep an injury register/record of all injuries sustained in any baseball related activity.
- Ensure you have up to date Bylaws in place (including a member protection, grievance and disciplinary policies) and available to members.
What Is Public Liability Insurance?
Public Liability insurance covers affiliated members for any legal costs or compensation payable to a third parties if accused of any negligence arising from the activities of the association or club.
What is Products Liability insurance?
Product Liability insurance will cover you in the event that any goods that you supply cause injury, illness, loss or damage to a third party. This could include food prepared and sold at a fundraising day or weekend sausage sizzle.
What is Professional Liability insurance?
Professional Liability insurance will cover you in the event that you are sued by a person who claims they were injured as a result of your professional negligence. This insurance mainly provides cover for registered coaches or officials who give advice or instruction when a member is training or competing in an event.
What is the excess on the Public and Products Liability and Professional Liability policies?
The excess structure under the Public and Products Liability and Professional Liability policies is varied. Please contact Gallagher Sport to discuss this in more detail.
Who is responsible for paying the excess on Public and Products Liability Property Damage and Professional Liability claims?
The payment of the excess is the responsibility of the defending party and will not be paid by Baseball Australia, unless otherwise agreed.
What activities are covered under the Public and Products Liability policy?
Administration, promotion, organisation of, participation in, officiating, the rendering of first aid, provision of food and drink, publication of newsletters, sale of merchandise, property owners or property occupiers liability, social activities including awards presentations, fundraising, working bees, BBQs and other social gatherings for activities and events.
Please note that some fundraising and extreme training techniques may not be covered by the definition of “Activities Covered” in this policy e.g. bungee jumping, car rallies, bull riding rodeos, jumping castles etc. Please contact Gallagher Sport if you are unsure as to whether you require insurance cover for any other activities.
What are Activities and/or Events?
Activities and Events are those sanctioned (approved) by Baseball Australia.
Is the Association/Club covered for any fundraising events that we may have throughout the season?
Yes, Association and Club fundraising activities are automatically covered under the Insurance Program. These activities may include but are not restricted to trivia nights, presentation nights, membership drive sausage sizzle at the local shops etc. However, some activities such as the use of jumping castles could be excluded under the policy. Please contact Gallagher Sport for confirmation that the activity is covered.
Are external contractors covered?
No, external contractors should carry their own Public Liability insurance, unless they are employees of Baseball Australia and its Affiliated Bodies, approved registered coaches or officials whilst working for or conducting sanctioned activities on behalf of Baseball Australia.
What should an Association/Club do before signing a Hire/Lease/Rental Agreement?
- Thoroughly read any agreement before signing.
- Some councils may ask you to sign an agreement which states that they will not be held liable in the event of injury arising as a result of use for training or events.
Please note that there is a policy exclusion on your Public Liability policy if you sign an agreement which contains such “Indemnity and Hold Harmless” clauses.
Should you find any Indemnity/Hold Harmless clauses in the agreement, please contact Gallagher Sport.
What does the Personal Accident (Sports Injury) insurance cover?
The Personal Accident policy covers items such as death, paraplegia, quadriplegia, non-Medicare medical expenses, loss of income, funeral benefit, student assistance benefit, home help, parents inconvenience allowance, rehabilitation benefit, bed care benefit, dependent children allowance, home renovation benefit, in memoriam benefit, kidnapping benefit and membership benefit. You are covered for injuries even if the accident was your fault.
When does the cover apply?
Whilst participating in sanctioned Baseball Australia Inc. activities including all:
- Official events
- Playing, training and trialling
- Official social events and fundraising activities
- Travel to and from the above activities
Do I need to have private health insurance if I am covered by the Personal Accident section of this program?
This is a personal decision. The cover provided under this program is not ”comprehensive” and is intended to compliment other insurance cover you may have in place. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have adequate insurance cover for your individual needs.
What constitutes organised training?
Organised training is training and practice sessions are those that are sanctioned (approved) by the Baseball Australia.
What do I do if I am involved in an accident?
Advise your Club who will arrange for an incident report form to be completed.
To submit a claim, complete a Personal Accident claim form and forward to your State Association official for verification and signing. You can obtain a claim form by clicking here (add Personal Accident claims form link).
If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact Gallagher Sport.
When should I send in a Personal Accident claim form?
A claim form should be completed, signed by your State Association and submitted to CSN as soon as you become aware that you will be making a claim. You do not have to wait until after you have completed treatment for your injury. Please note that any treatment rendered necessary by injury must be completed within 12 calendar months from the date of such injury occurring for expenses to be covered. For more details on the claims process please refer to the claims section of this site.
Is the Medicare Gap claimable under the Personal Accident Policy?
No, the Health Insurance Act (Cth) 1973 does not permit the Insurer to contribute to any charges covered by Medicare (including the Medicare Gap). This means that any charges for treatment from a Doctor, Surgeon, Anaesthetist or Surgeon’s Assistant are not covered. It also means charges for X-Ray, some MRI Scans (if Medicare registered) and Public Hospitals are not covered. In addition, there will be no refund in respect of:
- any expenses recoverable by You from any other insurance program or plan providing medical or similar coverage or from any other source except for the excess of the amount recoverable from such other policies/plans.
- any expense to which the National Health Act (Cth) 1953 or any of the regulations made there under apply.
For more details about what is covered under the Personal Accident Policy, please click here.
What is the maximum benefit period for Loss of Income and Non-Medicare Medical Claims?
52 weeks for Loss of Income claims and 52 weeks for Non-Medicare Medical Claims.
What is the Excess/Elimination Period under the Personal Accident Policy?
There is a $20 excess in respect to making a claim for Non-Medicare medical treatment (there is a nil excess if the member belongs to a private health fund.) This amount will be deducted from any reimbursements that you are entitled to. If you are making a loss of income claim you are subject to a 7 day elimination period which also takes into account any accrued sick leave or other entitlements. This means that any loss of income during this period is not claimable.
Is the cost of Ambulance transport covered under the program?
Yes, Ambulance transport is a Non-Medicare medical expense and as such covered under the Personal Accident section of the program (up to the limits that you are entitled to).
Can I claim on my Private Health Insurance as well as the Insurance Scheme for personal injury claims?
You must initially claim on your Private Health Insurance and then claim on the Insurance Scheme for any Non-Medicare medical costs that exceed the limits of your Private Health Insurance.
Can I make more than one claim during the year?
Yes, you can make more than one claim during the year. It is important however, that you obtain a clearance from your treating physician prior to returning to baseball activities