Student-athletes are required to have insurance coverage for athletically related injuries before they may practice or compete at an NCAA member school. This coverage may come through a parent or guardian’s insurance plan, the student-athlete’s personal insurance, an institutional accident medical policy or a formal self-insurance plan maintained by the school.
The NCAA also sponsors insurance programs that provide additional support in specific situations, including catastrophic injuries, injuries that occur during NCAA championship events and eligible athletically related injuries after a student-athlete’s playing days.
Insurance Coverage Requirements
NCAA schools are required to certify that student-athletes have insurance coverage for medical expenses related to athletically related injuries before they practice or compete. This coverage must be equal to or greater than the deductible of the NCAA Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program.
Coverage may come from a parent or guardian’s insurance plan, the student-athlete’s personal insurance, an accident medical policy maintained by the school or a formal self-insurance plan maintained by the school. The requirement is intended to help reduce coverage gaps and protect student-athletes and families from significant out-of-pocket medical expenses related to covered athletics injuries.
During NCAA championships, the NCAA provides supplemental insurance of up to $90,000 in medical expenses for student-athletes who are injured. Once that level is met, the NCAA Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program may apply.
What Insurance Means for You
Insurance helps protect student-athletes and their families from certain medical costs related to injuries that happen during intercollegiate athletics participation.
Before a student-athlete may practice or compete, the school must certify that the student-athlete has insurance coverage for athletically related injuries up to the deductible of the NCAA Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program, which is currently $90,000.
This coverage may be provided by:
- A parent or guardian’s insurance plan.
- The student-athlete’s personal insurance plan.
- An accident medical policy maintained by the school.
- A formal self-insurance plan maintained by the school.
If coverage is not in place, the student-athlete may not practice or compete until coverage is certified. A violation of this requirement is considered an institutional violation and does not affect the student-athlete’s eligibility.
Understanding Coverage Gaps
Even when insurance is in place, gaps may still exist. A gap can happen when a policy does not fully cover a test, procedure, provider, deductible, co-pay or out-of-network cost.
For example, a student-athlete’s family insurance policy may satisfy NCAA requirements but may not cover medical services near campus if those providers are out of network. A school-provided accident policy may also include deductibles, co-pays or other costs that remain the responsibility of the student-athlete or family.
If a school’s accident medical coverage has a limit lower than the NCAA Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program deductible, the school should take steps to ensure coverage is available up to the deductible amount. Options may include increasing the policy limit, purchasing additional coverage, creating a formal self-insurance plan or requiring evidence of other insurance.
Student-athletes and families should ask questions before the season begins so they understand:
- Whether their insurance applies to athletic injuries.
- Whether campus or team medical providers are in network.
- What deductibles, co-pays or co-insurance may apply.
- Who is responsible for expenses that are not covered.
- What happens if insurance changes during the year.
What You Need to Provide
Student-athletes may be asked to provide a copy of a current insurance card.
Schools may request details about the insurance company, policyholder and plan.
Schools may ask for effective dates to confirm the policy is active during the practice and playing season.
The school must certify that coverage is equal to or greater than the deductible of the NCAA Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program.
Families may need to identify any deductible, co-pay or co-insurance requirements that could result in out-of-pocket expenses.
Schools may ask for confirmation that the policy applies to injuries related to intercollegiate athletics and does not exclude athletics participation.
Sport-Specific Insurance
Some athletics-adjacent activities may have different insurance considerations. For example, collegiate cheerleading squads and dance teams may participate in activities that are separate from a school’s sports program, in addition to activities connected to the sports program. Catastrophic medical coverage may apply to many, but not necessarily all, of these activities.
For cheerleading and dance team risk management information, visit:
Insurance Resources
Questions?
Have questions about student-athlete insurance or medical coverage? Contact your school’s athletics department, athletic trainer, compliance office or insurance representative for details about your institution’s policy and what coverage may apply.