Unionville Slo Pitch League (USPL)

What insurance is offered to Leagues?

We offer general liability and secondary sport accident insurance for registered leagues and players.

Why do we need Liability Insurance?

Because no matter how careful you are, accidents happen! You can be sued by anyone who claims injury or damages resulting from your activities, and although you may not be liable, you will need to be defended in any court proceeding. Liability insurance will pay for this defence, as well as any costs awarded against you. In short, liability insurance gives you peace of mind and helps to protect you, other members of your Executive, your managers, coaches, officials and volunteers. As well, most municipalities require leagues to provide proof of their insurance coverage and name them as an Additional Insured – which we provide for free to leagues upon request.

Why do the players in my League need insurance?

There is a risk playing the sport of slo-pitch that all members acknowledge whenever they participate, and a chance of someone being injured while playing. Registered members have accepted a Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims and Indemnity Agreement, and are provided with insurance coverage to protect them while participating in our sanctioned events and activities, giving you even greater peace of mind.

What is Sport Accident Insurance?

Membership also provides secondary sport accident insurance! “Secondary” means that a person must first use any insurance benefits already available to them through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, employment, a partner, spouse or parent (a “Primary” insurance), before this coverage can be used. Some reimbursements have limits and/or caps, and it is not a loss of wage or income policy, but it is the most comprehensive sport accident insurance available to slo-pitch participants.

How much coverage is there?

A limit of $5,000,000 commercial general liability insurance per occurrence is provided to our registered Leagues, as well as liability and secondary sport accident insurance for participants for things like emergency transportation, dental, rehabilitation, prosthetic devices, disablement and loss. Some reimbursement have limits and/or caps, and it is not a loss of wage or income policy. In all instances, proper reporting and claim procedures must be followed. Contact the office for more information, or if there has been an injury.

Can’t we just get the insurance our municipality offers?

The standard General Liability policy carried by a Recreation Department or a Municipality is designed for municipalities to offer insurance that addresses the needs of their community, with targeted risk management and loss control initiatives so as to manage and improve their exposure to risk. It may therefore only cover the Recreation Department and its directors, officers and employees, and may or may not fully cover sports volunteers working directly on behalf of the Recreation Department, or individual leagues using the facilities! There may also be strict limitations for coverage for sports volunteers, have dangerous loopholes or exclusions, not include Participant Coverage, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage, nor provide any coverage for injuries. This means that even though you have purchased a policy through the City or Town where your league plays, you may not be covered should players be injured, or you and/or the League are sued! 

Someone is injured... What do I do?

For any Sport Accident Insurance Claim, you should make sure that an Incident Report is completed in full, and scanned and emailed to the SPO office within forty-eight (48) hours of the incident. The Incident Report can be completed by the League Director, Team Contact, Coach, or the Player. It is then the responsibility of the injured person to notify the SPO office of any injury claim they may have within thirty (30) days of the incident, and to request a Sport Accident Claim Form.

What insurance is offered for my Tournament or Event?

We offer general liability insurance for sanctioned tournaments and events, as well as liability and secondary sport accident insurance for all of the participants.

Why do I need Liability Insurance?

Because no matter how careful you are, accidents happen! You can be sued by anyone who claims injury or damages resulting from your activities (ie. property damage to a venue, or bodily injury to someone hurt at your tournament or event), and although you may not be liable, you will need to be defended in any court proceeding. Liability insurance will pay for this defence, as well as any costs awarded against you. In short, liability insurance gives you peace of mind and helps to protect you and your volunteers. As well, most municipalities require you to provide proof of your insurance coverage and name them as an Additional Insured – which we provide for free to our Tournament Directors upon request.

Why do the teams and players in my Tournament or Event need insurance?

There is a risk playing the sport of slo-pitch that all members acknowledge whenever they participate, and a chance of someone being injured while playing. Registered members have accepted a Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims and Indemnity Agreement, and are provided with insurance coverage to protect them while participating in our sanctioned events and activities, giving you even greater peace of mind.

What is Sport Accident Insurance?

Membership also provides secondary sport accident insurance! “Secondary” means that a person must first use any insurance benefits already available to them through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, employment, a partner, spouse or parent (a “Primary” insurance), before this coverage can be used. Some reimbursements have limits and/or caps, and it is not a loss of wage or income policy, but it is the most comprehensive sport accident insurance available to slo-pitch participants.

How much coverage is there?

A limit of $5,000,000 commercial general liability insurance per occurrence is provided for sanctioned tournaments and events, as well as liability and secondary sport accident insurance for participants for things like emergency transportation, dental, rehabilitation, prosthetic devices, disablement and loss. Some reimbursement have limits and/or caps, and it is not a loss of wage or income policy. In all instances, proper reporting and claim procedures must be followed. Contact the office for more information, or if there has been an injury.

Can’t we just get the insurance our municipality offers?

The standard General Liability policy carried by a Recreation Department or a Municipality is designed for municipalities to offer insurance that addresses the needs of their community, with targeted risk management and loss control initiatives so as to manage and improve their exposure to risk. It may therefore only cover the Recreation Department and its directors, officers and employees, and may or may not fully cover sports volunteers working directly on behalf of the Recreation Department, or individual leagues using the facilities! There may also be strict limitations for coverage for sports volunteers, have dangerous loopholes or exclusions, not include Participant Coverage, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage, nor provide any coverage for injuries. This means that even though you have purchased a policy through the City or Town where your league plays, you may not be covered should players be injured, or you and/or the League are sued! 

What about Host Liquor Liability Insurance?

Liquor Liability coverage provides protection for lawsuits brought against individuals or organizations who host single/multi-day functions, and is designed for event hosts who wish to cover their liquor exposure only.  This type of insurance is excluded from the commercial general liability insurance we offer for our sanctioned tournaments and events, but can be obtained through PAL Insurance Brokers Canada Ltd., who offer an easy on-line application, with customizable insurance coverage ($1,000,000 to $5,000,000) to fit your particular needs.

Someone is injured... What do I do?

For any Sport Accident Insurance Claim, you should make sure that an Incident Report is completed in full, and scanned and emailed to the SPO office within forty-eight (48) hours of the incident. The Incident Report can be completed by the League Director, Team Contact, Coach, or the Player. It is then the responsibility of the injured person to notify the SPO office of any injury claim they may have within thirty (30) days of the incident, and to request a Sport Accident Claim Form.