What the Program Does
The NCAA sponsors the Post-Eligibility Insurance Program to support student-athletes beyond their college athletics participation. The program covers excess accident medical expenses for eligible athletically related injuries sustained during participation in an NCAA qualifying intercollegiate sport.
Coverage is available for up to two years, or 104 weeks, after a student-athlete separates from school or voluntarily withdraws from athletics. The program applies to properly documented covered injuries that occur on or after Aug. 1, 2024. It is available to student-athletes at all NCAA member schools in all three divisions.
Program Highlights
Coverage is available for up to two years, or 104 weeks, after a student-athlete separates from school or voluntarily withdraws from athletics. The policy provides benefits in excess of any other valid and collectible insurance.
Student-athletes do not need to opt in before an injury occurs. Coverage may apply when all criteria are met and a claim is filed during the benefit period.
The program is available to student-athletes at all NCAA member schools in Divisions I, II and III.
Who Is Covered
Student-athletes are automatically covered under the policy for qualifying intercollegiate athletics injuries that meet the program’s criteria.
To be eligible, injuries must:
- Occur during the policy period, on or after Aug. 1, 2024.
- Be sustained during participation in a qualifying intercollegiate sport, including NCAA emerging sports.
- Be reported, documented and on file with the athletics department of the school where the student-athlete participated when the injury occurred.
The policy does not cover injuries sustained while participating in club or intramural sports.
Enrollment
Student-athletes do not need to take action to enroll before an injury occurs. Students who transfer, attend part time or full time, or are later deemed ineligible for NCAA competition may still be covered if the eligibility criteria are met.
International student-athletes are also covered under the program, subject to the regulations of the athlete’s country of origin. Action is only required if a student-athlete needs to file a claim during the benefit period.
Benefit Period
The benefit period is two consecutive years, or 104 weeks. When that period begins depends on the student-athlete’s status.
Undergraduate Student-Athletes
For a student-athlete injured while an undergraduate, the benefit period begins on the earlier of:
- The date the student-athlete is no longer enrolled in school.
- The date the student-athlete voluntarily withdraws from athletics.
If the student-athlete’s athletics season extends beyond enrollment, the benefit period begins when the athletics season ends.
Graduate Student-Athletes
For a student-athlete injured while a graduate student, the benefit period begins on the earliest of:
- The date the student-athlete is no longer enrolled in school.
- The date the student-athlete’s athletics eligibility expires.
- The date the student-athlete voluntarily withdraws from athletics.
If the student-athlete’s athletics season extends beyond enrollment, the benefit period begins when the athletics season ends.
Prospective Student-Athletes
For a student-athlete injured while a prospective student, the benefit period begins on the date the student-athlete is no longer enrolled as an undergraduate student.
Insurance Details
The program provides excess coverage after other valid and collectible insurance has been applied. The policy has a $90,000 excess limit per injury and no deductible. Of the $90,000 available, up to $25,000 may be used for mental health services related to an eligible, documented athletic injury.
This program does not replace the requirement for student-athletes to have primary insurance coverage for intercollegiate athletics injuries up to $90,000. Primary insurance may come through private insurance, a member school’s athletics injury policy or a self-insurance program.
Member School Responsibility
Member schools are responsible for establishing record-keeping procedures to document intercollegiate athletics injuries. Schools must retain injury documentation until the two-year benefit period is exhausted, plus one additional year.
Schools should make sure injuries are reported, documented and filed with the athletics department when they occur. This documentation is required for a student-athlete to be eligible for coverage under the program.
Claims and Administration
Claims are reported to and managed by A-G Specialty Insurance. Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co. serves as the fronting carrier, and American Specialty Insurance & Risk Services serves as the program administrator.
A-G Specialty Insurance and Mutual of Omaha also coordinate benefits with other insurance policies, if applicable, as part of the claims process.
Questions?
Have questions about the NCAA Post-Eligibility Insurance Program or need help with the claims process?
Contact the program administrator at ncaa@agadm.com.