Contains frequently asked questions (FAQ) and process for submittng a claim to HC for expenses incurred as a result of an injury during a HC sanctioned event and not covered by your own personal insurance.

Nova Scotia Women’s Hockey League

Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

July 11, 2020

I want to play hockey but, am I covered by insurance if I get hurt?

The NSWHL is a member of the Adult Safe Hockey Network (ASHN) and members of ASHN are automatically insured by Hockey Canada (HC). This is comprehensive sport accident insurance that supplements any other insurance a player has access to and is specifically for HC sanctioned events.

01. Who do I contact for information about hockey player insurance in our league?

The NSWHL registrar at registrar1.nswhl@gmail.com

02. I registered with my NSWHL team for the 2019-2020 season. What does this cover? and When?

HC provides Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance and, Accidental Dental and Medical Treatment Benefits and, Weekly Accident Indemnity (loss of income) Benefits. An executive summary of the policy is available at https://ashl.ca/player-insurance/

When you register for the season with your ASHN member league team and pay your fee, you are insured from September 1 to August 31 wherever you play for the year with registrants of the ASHN.

03: In September I paid to play in the Colchester Women’s Recreational Hockey League. Do I need to pay insurance fees to play in the NSWHL?

No, because the CWRHL is a member of ASHN you do not need to pay the insurance fee twice, but you must register for both leagues.

04: I am registered and have paid to play in the NSWHL (or, for example, the CWRHL). Does my insurance cover me when I play shinny or pick-up hockey?

Only if everyone else you are playing with or against is registered with ASHN. Your organizer should clarify that the pick-up/shinny group is, or is not, registered with ASHN, and therefore is, or is not, eligible for HC player insurance.  The organizer may register their pick-up group as a league with ASHN and the individuals are then able to purchase HC insurance through that league and those that are already registered with ASHN cross referenced (no additional fee for insurance).

05. Our NSWHL team wants to play in a tournament but not all players are available, so we want a friend to play with us to fill the roster.  Are we, including my friend, insured?

Only if your friend and everyone else on your team is insured with ASHN. Your friend needs to register with a league to purchase HC insurance (less than $30/year) for everyone on the team to be covered. However, if your friend plays in an ASHN registered league in Montreal, for example, and will be in Nova Scotia the weekend of the tournament, then your team has HC player insurance.

06. I play mostly in the league, but I also play pick-up/shinny and some tournaments. I understand I have insurance but does everyone on the ice need to be insured by HC or can players have their own insurance provider?

All players must have HC insurance for the event to be sanctioned and therefore covered by HC insurance.

07. My partner would like to coach our league team. Is my partner covered?

All “Bench Staff” is insured only if registered with the team and on the game sheet. There is no additional fee, but that person(s), regardless of gender identity or, membership in another HC sanctioned league, must register with the team whether, or not, this person is on the bench for one game or all games. No helmet is required for adults (18 y and over) as a coach or bench member and the maximum number of bench staff is five (5) per team per game.

08. My child would like to help coach our league team. Is my child covered by our team insurance?

The NSWHL does not encourage the presence of a child on the bench because it is an adult environment, but where a parent and team agree to invite a child twelve (12) years of age or older to help on the bench, the child must be registered with the team and on the game sheet. For example, your 12 year old son plays minor hockey and wants to be on the bench to help his Mom’s team and Mom’s team agrees; Mom must register him with the team as bench staff (as in No. 7.) , there is no charge, but he must be registered to be covered whether, or not, he is a minor hockey player. HC requires that anyone on the bench who is under the age of eighteen (18) years must be in full gear, whether to coach, operate the door or fetch water, no exceptions.

09. I am registered and have paid league fees. I slipped on black ice in the parking lot and severely damaged my knee. Am I covered by our team insurance?

No, player insurance covers the on ice and bench team members during the game if, and only if, all players are HC insured. Accidents outside of this are subject to the liability insurance of the arena.

10. I caught COVID-19 from a player in my league game. Am I covered?

Yes, any medical or dental expenses incurred because of participating in a HC sanctioned event is covered.

11. How do I submit a claim? (Hockey Canada Injury Report)

Hockey Canada is strictly a supplemental insurer. If you have access to any other insurance, you must pursue it through them first. Hockey Canada covers the costs not covered by your primary insurance to the limits of the HC insurance policy.

The form and steps for submitting a claim are at:  https://ashl.ca/player-insurance/

12.  What does it mean to coordinate health insurance claims?

Example: Your injury requires several physiotherapy sessions. Your primary health insurance is provided through your employer and the policy covers a percentage of the cost of physiotherapy. You must file the claim first with your primary insurance provider and the balance not covered by your primary insurance is submitted to HC.  Health insurance information must be provided in the HC Injury Report that you submit.

13.  Where do I find more information on the HC Insurance Program? What’s covered, What’s Not and FAQs.

https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/hockey-programs/safety/essentials/downloads.aspx