Peter Brady
Insurance Information for Referees Societies 2024/25
The RFU arranges a range of insurance policies for the community game on an annual basis from 1 July to 30 June with an investment of circa £4m – this includes insurance cover for all Referees Societies. Details of all the cover provided is on a dedicated section of the England Rugby Insurance Centre website.
The cover arranged includes ‘Combined Liability’ protection for the Referees Society, including coaches and match officials deployed by the Referee Society and committee or board members and trustees. Catastrophic injury Personal Accident cover for coaches and referees applies when they are representing the Referees Society or taking part in a Referees Society arranged activity.
Liability Insurance
The combined liability insurance includes the following protections:
- Public/Products Liability – in case someone is injured or his or her property is damaged, on or off the pitch, and you are held responsible.
- Professional Indemnity – protection against claims for financial loss.
- Employers Liability – cover for injuries to employees and volunteers that they suffer whilst working for the club.
- Directors and Officers Liability – protection for the personal liability of committee members, directors or trustees of the club in respect of their management decisions.
Activities Covered
Liability insurance covers all the referee’s activities and protects them in the event that a claim is made against them, most commonly in relation to an injury arising from an alleged refereeing error during a match.
Referees are covered whilst officiating at any match that they have been appointed to by their Society, or a match at a club where they are officiating at the request of the club.
Confirmation of cover documents
If you ever need to provide evidence of your Public Liability insurance cover, you can download the appropriate documents in the Document Hub.
Personal Accident
The group Personal Accident policy provides cover for referees and officials if they suffer a catastrophic injury, such as a spinal or brain injury. Cover applies whilst refereeing or playing, including training and when travelling to or from a match.
What is not covered
- Cover is not included for non catastrophic injuries, sickness or injuries resulting from a medical condition.
- Cover is also not included for loss of income if you are temporarily injured.
If you feel that such cover is required, the RFU recommend that you take out an additional policy that is appropriate for your needs. Different benefits are provided for varying levels of injury – details be found on the Insurance Centre website.
Further questions
If you have any queries about the insurance cover arranged for you or the Referees Society, please get in touch with Howden directly via rfu@howdengroup.com or calling 0121 698 8001.
