Swimming Club Insurance Policy Information
Swimming Club Insurance. Swimming clubs are passionate about their sport - at the basic level, they may provide swimming lessons to both young children and older learners, but participating in competitive swimming forms the heart of these organizations.
Swimming clubs both play a vital role in promoting a sport with significant health benefits, and teach their members about good sportsmanship and leadership.
Swim clubs provide one or more swimming pools for the benefit of their members. These clubs usually sponsor one or more swim teams, offer swimming lessons and provide social opportunities for its members.
The pools may be indoor or outdoor and normally have diving boards. Swimming competitions and similar events are held on premises. The club may have a restaurant on the premises and may offer its facilities for weddings and other social events.
Operations may be seasonal or be offered year-round. While volunteers do much of the work at swim clubs, the manager, coaching staff, and restaurant workers are usually paid employees.
As the owner or manager of a swim club, swimming may be your soul, but to continue to be successful, it is also vital to be business-savvy. That includes considering the risks swim clubs may face, and that have the potential to threaten the future of a swim club.
Whether you already run a swim club or are considering opening one, that means staying up to date on the types of swimming club insurance you may need to carry. This brief guide offers some insights.
Swimming club insurance protects swim clubs from lawsuits with rates as low as $47/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.
Below are some answers to commonly asked swim club insurance questions:
- What Is Swimming Club Insurance?
- How Much Does Swimming Club Insurance Cost?
- Why Do Swim Clubs Need Insurance?
- What Type Of Insurance Do Swimming Club Need?
- What Does Swim Club Insurance Cover & Pay For?
What Is Swimming Club Insurance?
Swimming club insurance is a type of insurance coverage specifically designed for swimming clubs and organizations. It provides protection for the club, its members, and its coaches against various types of risks and liabilities.
The coverage typically includes general liability insurance, which protects the club from claims of bodily injury or property damage caused by its members or coaches. It may also include coverage for accidents and injuries that occur during practices and competitions, as well as coverage for damage to club-owned equipment and facilities.
In addition to these basic coverage options, swimming club insurance may also include additional coverage for things like sexual abuse and molestation, directors and officers liability, and workers' compensation. This ensures that the club and its members are protected against a wide range of potential risks and liabilities.
Overall, swimming club insurance is an important investment for any swimming club or organization. It helps to protect the club and its members from financial losses, while also providing peace of mind and security. This insurance can enable the clubs to have more volunteers and grow up with more members.
How Much Does Swimming Club Insurance Cost?
The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for small swim clubs ranges from $47 to $79 per month based on location, members, revenue, claims history and more.
Why Do Swim Clubs Need Insurance?
Swim clubs need insurance for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons is to protect the club and its members from potential liability. If a member of the club is injured while participating in a swim event or practice, the club could be held liable for any resulting medical expenses or lost wages. Insurance can help cover these costs and protect the club from financial ruin.
Another reason swim clubs need insurance is to protect their assets. Clubs often have expensive equipment and facilities that need to be protected from damage or loss. Insurance can provide coverage for these assets in the event of a natural disaster or other unexpected event.
Finally, swim clubs need insurance to protect their reputation. If a club is sued or faces a legal dispute, the negative publicity can damage its reputation and harm its ability to attract members and sponsors. Swimming club insurance can help cover the costs of legal fees and other expenses associated with defending against such claims, helping to minimize the impact on the club's reputation.
Overall, insurance is a critical component of running a successful swim club. It helps protect the club, its members, and its assets from potential risks, and allows the club to operate with peace of mind knowing that it is protected against unexpected events.
What Type Of Insurance Do Swimming Clubs Need?
The coverage a swim club may be required to carry depends on variables such as the jurisdiction where your club is based, your number of employees, and the exact types of athletic activities your club participates in.
Some insurance companies have insurance plans specifically designed to cover swim clubs or athletic organizations in general, and you may find that these best meet your needs. Among the types of swimming club insurance that you may want to consider are:
- Commercial Property: swim clubs that own pools and related facilities will need to carry this type of insurance, as well as those who rent another facility long-term. Commercial property insurance protects you from financial loss if your physical assets (including, but not limited, to buildings) are damaged by perils like theft, vandalism, and acts of nature.
- Business Liability: This type of swimming club insurance is essential . It helps cover the legal costs associated with any third party bodily injury or property damage claims, but exists in various forms. Some insurance companies even offer athletic participation insurance to protect your organization when it takes part in third party athletic events.
- Workers Compensation: Generally, businesses with one or more employees will need to carry workers' compensation insurance. In the event that an employee suffers a work-related accident or injury, in circumstances that indicate your company could be held liable, it covers the employee's medical expenses along with wages lost to related work absences.
- Commercial Auto: Any business that uses vehicles over the course of its activities will further need commercial auto insurance. It covers both property damage (to third party vehicles) and bodily injury relating to the business use of your cars or other vehicles.
Navigating the modern insurance market is complex, but together with a commercial insurance broker who understands the nature of your business, your swim club will be able to obtain the swimming club insurance coverage that will help it thrive even in the face of challenges.
Swim Club's Risks & Exposures
Premises liability exposures are high due to the number of visitors to the premises and the use of swimming pools. While slips and falls are inevitable due to water hazards, more serious injuries and accidental drownings can generally be prevented.
Lifeguards, employees, and members should monitor all activities. Rules of conduct should be posted, with procedures in place to remove individuals who violate them. Depth markings should be clear. Lifesaving equipment must be accessible at all times.
Diving areas should be posted and kept clear of swimmers while divers are present. Criminal background checks should be conducted for any employee or volunteer who works with children.
Pool testing must conform to health department rules and chemicals should be used based on manufacturer's instructions. Contracts are important when sponsored events take place on premises.
Spectator liability is a major concern as visitors can be injured by slips and falls. Bleachers and floors should be in good condition and equipped with non-slip surfaces. Adequate lighting, marked exits, and egress are mandatory.
Steps must have handrails, be well-lit, and in good repair. The premises may present an attractive nuisance hazard after hours. There must be adequate security to prevent unauthorized entry.
Swimming clubs may have personal injury exposures from assault, discrimination, defamation of character, false arrest, invasion of privacy, or unlawful detention.
Product liability exposures are moderate if the club operates the restaurant or food concessions. Employees should be trained in the proper handling of consumables to prevent foreign objects in food, food poisoning, or the spread of other transmissible diseases.
If these are contracted out, the club should verify that the operators have adequate liability coverage.
Workers compensation exposures can include strains, slips and falls, and back injuries from helping clients. Swim coaches may be injured by students while giving lessons. Maintenance employees are exposed to pool chemicals which may result in contact dermatitis, lung, and respiratory illness.
Concession and restaurant workers may sustain burns, cuts, slips and falls in the kitchen. Employees may have to work at heights to change light bulbs or work on overhead equipment.
Property exposures are minimal if the only structures are an outdoor pool and the pool building. Facilities with both indoor and outdoor pools or that operate year-round present additional exposures that include electrical wiring, heating, and air conditioning systems, and cooking if there is food preparation.
All systems should be up to date and adequate for the operations. If food preparation is done on premises, such as in concession stands, all cooking equipment must be properly controlled.
Pool chemicals must be stored in a dry area because even a small amount of water applied to certain dry chemicals can trigger an explosion. If the club operates on a seasonal basis, a caretaker should stay on premises or security service should check each day for vandalism or small fires.
Crime exposures consist of employee dishonesty due to the handling of membership dues and property owned by the club. Volunteers should be added to coverage. Background checks should be conducted on all employees and volunteers handling money.
If tickets are sold to events, a significant amount of cash may accumulate. Cashiers' drawers should be kept stripped. All monies should be double counted and balanced with cashier balance sheets. All orders, billing and reimbursement responsibilities should be separated and records should be reconciled on a regular basis.
Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable if the club bills for dues, bailees, computers, and valuable papers and records for charters, clients' and suppliers' information. Bailee exposures are from the storage of members' property in locker rooms while visiting the facility.
Contractors' equipment may be used to maintain the premises. Copies of all data should be maintained off site for easy restoration in the event of a loss.
Business auto exposures are generally limited to hired and non-owned for employees running errands. If there are owned vehicles or the club provides team transportation, the vehicle driver should not be a team member.
All drivers should have the appropriate license and acceptable MVRs. Owned vehicles should be maintained on a regular basis with all service documented.
What Does Swim Club Insurance Cover & Pay For?
Swim clubs can be sued for a variety of reasons, such as:
Slip and fall accidents: If a member or guest slips and falls on the pool deck or in the locker room, they may sue the swim club for their injuries. If a member or guest slips and falls on the pool deck and sues the club, liability insurance can cover the cost of their medical expenses and any settlements or judgments.
Drowning or near-drowning incidents: If a swimmer becomes injured or dies due to a drowning or near-drowning incident while at the club, the club may be held liable for not providing adequate supervision or safety measures. If a swimmer becomes injured or dies due to a drowning or near-drowning incident while at the club and sues the club for not providing adequate safety measures, liability insurance can cover the cost of legal fees, settlements, or judgments.
Sexual harassment or assault: If a member or employee of the swim club is sexually harassed or assaulted, they may sue the club for not providing a safe environment. If a member or employee of the swim club is sexually harassed or assaulted and sues the club, liability insurance can cover the cost of legal fees, settlements, or judgments.
Discrimination: If a member or employee of the swim club is discriminated against based on their race, gender, or other protected characteristics, they may sue the club for discrimination. If a member or employee of the swim club is discriminated against and sues the club for discrimination, liability insurance can cover the cost of legal fees, settlements, or judgments.
Equipment failure: If equipment such as diving boards, slides, or pool pumps fail and cause injury, the swim club may be held liable. If equipment such as diving boards, slides, or pool pumps fail and cause injury and someone sues the club, liability insurance can cover the cost of legal fees, settlements, or judgments.
Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification
- SIC CODE: 7997 Membership Sports And Recreation Clubs
- NAICS CODE: 713940 Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers, 611620 Sports and Recreation Instruction
- Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 9061 Club - NOC & Clerical
Description for 7997: Membership Sports And Recreation Clubs
Division I: Services | Major Group 79: Amusement And Recreation Services | Industry Group 799: Miscellaneous Amusement And Recreation
7997 Membership Sports And Recreation Clubs: Sports and recreation clubs which are restricted to use by members and their guests. Country, golf, tennis, yacht, and amateur sports and recreation clubs are included in this industry. Physical fitness facilities are classified in Industry 7991.
- Aviation clubs, membership
- Baseball clubs except professional and semiprofessional
- Bathing beaches, membership
- Beach clubs, membership
- Boating clubs, membership
- Bowling leagues or teams, except professional and semiprofessional
- Bridge clubs, membership
- Club, membership: sports and recreation, except physical fitness
- Country clubs, membership
- Flying fields maintained by aviation club
- Football club, except professional and semiprofessional
- Golf clubs, membership
- Gun clubs, membership
- Handball clubs, membership
- Hockey clubs, except professional and semiprofessional
- Hunt clubs, membership
- Racquetball clubs, membership
- Recreation and sports club, membership: except physical fitness
- Riding clubs, membership
- Shooting clubs, membership
- Soccer clubs, except professional and semiprofessional
- Sports and recreation clubs, membership: except physical fitness
- Swimming clubs, membership
- Tennis clubs, membership
- Yacht clubs, membership
Swimming Club Insurance - The Bottom Line
For the safety of your employees and members, having the right swimming club insurance coverage is essential. To find out what types of business insurance options are available to you, how much coverage you should invest in, and how much your coverage will cost, speak to a reputable commercial insurance broker.
Additional Resources For Sports & Fitness Insurance
Learn about small business sports & fitness insurance policies and what they cover so that your customers, employees, and equipment are protected.
- Golf Course & Country Club
- Gym Fitness
- Hole-In-One Insurance
- Ice Skating Rinks
- Martial Arts
- Pilates
- Professional Sports
- Sports Team
- Swim Clubs
- Yoga Teacher
- Specialty Sports And Hobbies
The sports and fitness industry is a high-risk industry that requires insurance to protect businesses and individuals from unexpected accidents and injuries. This is especially important for businesses that offer physical activities or equipment, as they are more likely to face lawsuits if a customer is injured while participating in their services.
Additionally, the sports and fitness industry often involves high-value equipment and facilities that need to be protected from damages caused by natural disasters, vandalism, or theft. Commercial insurance can provide coverage for these types of losses, ensuring that businesses are able to continue operating and providing services to their customers.
Business insurance also plays a critical role in protecting the personal health and safety of those participating in sports and fitness activities. Accidents and injuries can occur at any time, and having the right insurance coverage can provide financial protection for medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs.
Overall, the sports and fitness industry needs insurance to safeguard businesses and individuals from the risks and challenges that come with providing physical activities and equipment. Without insurance, the industry would be vulnerable to significant financial and legal losses, which could ultimately harm its ability to thrive and grow.
Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Building, Business Personal Property, Business Income and Extra Expense, Employee Dishonesty, Money and Securities, Accounts Receivable, Bailees, Computers, Contractors' Equipment, Golf Carts, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits, Environmental Impairment, Umbrella, Hired and Non-owned Auto & Workers Compensation.
Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Earthquake, Equipment Breakdown, Flood, Mobile Equipment, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices, Liquor Liability, Business Automobile Liability and Physical Damage, Garagekeepers, Stop Gap Liability and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) (Drones).
