This article sheds light on the most important aspects of club insurance in Germany, Austria & Switzerland. We explain why insurance is crucial for clubs, what types of policies are available, and what to consider when selecting the right coverage.
Clubs face a variety of risks in the course of their diverse activities. These risks can lead to significant financial damage and, in the worst case, even jeopardize the existence of the club. To protect themselves from these risks, it is important for clubs to take out appropriate insurance.Clubs and associations face a multitude of risks in their diverse activities. These risks can result in substantial financial losses and, in the worst-case scenario, even threaten the club's existence. To protect themselves from these risks, it is important for clubs to take out appropriate insurance policies.
Clubs face a variety of risks in the course of their activities that can lead to significant financial damage. These include, for example:Clubs and associations face a variety of risks in the course of their activities that can lead to substantial financial losses. These include, for example:
If a member or official of the club causes damage to another person or property, the club can be held liable. Liability insurance covers the costs for settling such claims.
Accidents during club operations can result in personal injury and property damage. Accident insurance covers the costs of treating injured parties, repairing property damage, and compensating for loss of earnings.
Clubs often own property such as buildings, inventory, and equipment. Property insurance covers the costs of damage to this property that can be caused by fire, burglary, theft, vandalism, or other events.
Board members and other volunteers of a club are personally liable for damages they negligently or intentionally cause while carrying out their club activities. Directors and Officers (D&O) and volunteer liability insurance covers these risks.
Adequate insurance coverage can strengthen the trust of members, sponsors, and business partners in a club – especially when a claim actually arises.
In some countries, taking out various insurance policies for clubs is legally mandated.
A club's specific insurance needs depend on its size, activities, and assets. However, every club should generally take out at least liability insurance and accident insurance. Additionally, it may be advisable to take out further insurance policies such as property insurance or legal expenses insurance.
Liability insurance for clubs is the most important type of insurance. It covers personal injury, property damage, and financial losses that the club or its members unintentionally cause to third parties. Examples of such damages include:
Liability insurance for clubs should have a coverage amount of at least 1 million Euros per claim and 3 million Euros per year.
Accident insurance for clubs is voluntary insurance. It pays a benefit if a club member is injured or killed in an accident. The amount of the benefit depends on the chosen sum insured and the degree of disability.
Accident insurance for clubs can be useful if the club offers activities with an increased risk of accidents, such as sports like football or skiing.
Property insurance for clubs covers damage to the club's property, e.g., due to fire, storm, burglary, or theft. Typically insured are:
Property insurance for clubs should have a coverage amount that corresponds to the value of the club's property.
Legal protection insurance for clubs covers the costs of legal disputes that the club has with third parties. Examples of such legal disputes include:
Legal protection insurance for clubs should have a coverage amount of at least 250,000 Euros per legal dispute.
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The coverage amounts and benefits of individual insurance policies vary depending on the provider. It is therefore important for clubs to compare different offers and choose the insurance that best suits their needs.
When choosing an insurance policy, clubs should also pay attention to the following points:
It is advisable to seek expert advice when choosing an insurance policy.
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The costs for club insurance vary significantly and depend on various factors, such as:
Type of insurance: Liability insurance is generally the most expensive type of insurance for clubs. In contrast, the costs for accident insurance or property insurance are usually significantly lower.
Sum insured: The higher the sum insured, the higher the premium.
Scope of coverage: The more benefits the insurance covers, the higher the premium.
Club risk: The club's risk is assessed based on factors such as its size, the nature of its activities, and its claims history. The higher the club's risk, the higher the premium.
Liability insurance: For liability insurance with a sum insured of €1 million per claim and €3 million per year, clubs should expect an annual premium between €50 and €200.
Accident insurance: The cost of accident insurance varies significantly depending on the sum insured and the scope of coverage. As a guideline, you can expect an annual premium between €0.50 and €2.00 per member per year.
Property insurance: The cost of property insurance varies significantly depending on the value of the club's property. As a guideline, you can expect an annual premium between 0.5‰ and 1.0‰ of the value of the club's property.
Legal expenses insurance: The cost of legal expenses insurance varies significantly depending on the sum insured and the scope of coverage. As a guideline, you can expect an annual premium between €150 and €300.
It's important to compare different offers and choose the insurance that best suits your needs and budget. Many sports federations offer their member clubs framework agreements with insurance companies. These framework agreements can often be more affordable for clubs than the offers they might receive directly from an insurance company.
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about your club's insurance coverage.
Clubs face a multitude of risks in the course of their diverse activities. These risks can lead to significant financial damage and, in the worst case, even threaten the club's existence. Insurance offers protection against financial risks, safeguards the board and volunteers, fosters trust, and ensures compliance with legal requirements.
Club liability insurance is the most important coverage of all. It protects the club and its officers from financial claims if third parties suffer damages during club activities.
Sponsoring, merchandising, and player and coach contracts are particularly relevant. The latter must be legally documented in writing.
No, a separate property or inventory insurance is required for that. It protects the club's property and buildings against damage from fire, burglary, storm, or theft.
Insurance coverage generally includes all active members, volunteer helpers, and board members of the club. The protection applies during official events, training sessions, and meetings.
Legal expenses insurance is useful for covering attorney and court fees in legal disputes. This often applies to conflicts related to contracts, labor law, or constitutional matters.
