NCAA Student-Athlete Insurance Certification
NCAA legislation requires member schools to certify that student-athletes have medical insurance coverage for athletically related injuries. This page provides guidance, legislation references, frequently asked questions and sample resources to help schools manage the student-athlete insurance certification process.
Coverage may be provided through a student-athlete’s or parent’s personal insurance, an accident medical policy maintained by the school, or a formal self-insurance plan. The intent is to help ensure student-athletes are protected from significant out-of-pocket medical expenses related to athletically related injuries.
What the Legislation Requires
NCAA legislation requires member schools to certify that student-athletes have medical insurance coverage for athletically related injuries. That coverage must be equal to or greater than the deductible of the NCAA Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program.
Certification may be covered through:
- A student-athlete’s personal insurance.
- A parent’s or guardian’s insurance.
- An accident medical policy maintained by the school.
- A formal self-insurance plan maintained by the school.
Why Certification Matters
The insurance certification legislation was created to help reduce potential gaps in coverage for injuries sustained during participation in covered NCAA sports activities. The requirement helps schools verify that coverage is in place before participation and helps inform student-athletes and families about insurance expectations and possible out-of-pocket expenses.
This process helps:
- Protect student-athletes and families from unexpected medical expenses.
- Clarify the school’s insurance responsibilities.
- Track available coverage for athletically related injuries.
- Support institutional risk management.
How Schools Can Certify Coverage
The legislation does not require one specific certification process. Each school may determine how it will manage compliance, but coverage should be certified before student-athletes begin practice or competition.
Recommended process:
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- Determine whether the school provides accident medical coverage or a similar insurance program.
- Identify whether coverage meets the NCAA Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program deductible.
- Collect evidence of insurance when needed.
- Address any coverage gaps before participation.
- Keep documentation on file as part of the school’s compliance process.
Coverage should be certified before the start of each playing season. At a minimum, coverage should be certified before the beginning of each academic year and before student-athletes begin practice or competition.
Requiring Evidence of Insurance
If a school requires student-athletes or parents to provide evidence of insurance, either instead of providing institutional coverage or to fill a gap in the school’s insurance, the school should collect and review documentation to confirm that coverage meets NCAA requirements.
Evidence of coverage should include:
- A copy of a current insurance card.
- Insurance company information.
- Coverage effective dates.
- Limits and benefits of insurance.
- Deductibles or co-insurance.
- Confirmation that the policy applies during intercollegiate athletics participation.
Schools should also identify who is responsible for reviewing submitted insurance information and confirming that coverage is effective during the playing and practice season, meets or exceeds the NCAA Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program deductible and includes athletically related injuries.
Insurance Certification Flowchart
Schools can use the insurance certification flowchart to review different approaches for compliance and determine which resources may be helpful based on their current insurance practices.
Filling Coverage Gaps
If a school’s current accident medical coverage is less than the NCAA Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program deductible, the school should take steps to help ensure student-athletes have coverage up to the deductible amount.
Options may include:
- Increasing the policy limit.
- Purchasing additional coverage to fill the gap.
- Implementing a formal self-insurance plan.
- Requiring evidence of insurance from student-athletes or families.
If a policy includes deductibles or co-pays:
Schools should consider how those costs will be handled. Options may include eliminating the deductible or co-pay, implementing a formal self-insurance plan, requiring evidence of insurance, or notifying student-athletes and families in writing about potential out-of-pocket expenses.
Sample Form Packages
The NCAA provides sample form packages to help schools communicate insurance requirements to student-athletes and families. These forms are examples only and should be modified to fit each school’s specific needs.
Package 1: Schools that do not provide accident medical coverage
Use this package if the school requires student-athletes or families to provide evidence of insurance coverage.
Package 2: Schools that provide insurance coverage
Use this package if the school provides insurance coverage but wants to notify student-athletes and families about potential uninsured expenses or explain the school’s insurance coverage.
Sample forms are provided as examples only. Schools should adapt them to meet institutional needs and consult the appropriate insurance or legal advisor when needed.