Umpires' Insurance Coverage Options

Today's baseball umpires need the protection of a sports officials insurance. Baseball has inherent dangers and the potential for accidents is part of the game. Exposure to litigation, injury, and assault risk is ever-present and insurance provides umpires with peace of mind.

The following chart compares sports officials insurance providers. Its purpose is to help umpires navigate though the different insurance options.

 

	Illinois High School Association / National Federation Officials Association (NFOA coverage is provided though your IHSA membership.*)
	National Association of Sports Officials
	Amateur Baseball Umpires Association

Membership Fees
	FVB	$40
	IHSA*	$30 (Automatic with IHSA enrollment)
	NASO	$78
	ABUA	$35
General Liability
	IHSA*	$1,000,000 per occurrence. Coverage includes defense costs and is excess of any other valid and collectible insurance. No liability coverage is provided for members while driving or riding in any auto.
	NASO	$3,000,000 aggregate per event. Coverage is per occurrence (not claims made) protection for liability resulting from bodily injury, property damage, personal injury and advertising injury, and includes costs to defend against such claims as specified in the policy.
	ABUA	$2 Million per occurrence/$3 Million general aggregate coverage covers court judgments and awards; legal fees and court costs; $1 Million coverage for lawsuits for bodily injury, property damage and personal injury (defamation of charcter, libel, slander); $50,000 Coverage for fire damage. $0 deductible.
Accident Medical
	IHSA*	$25,000 of excess accident medical coverage.  The injury must be the result of an accident (not an illness) for coverage to apply. Coverage extends to include travel directly to and from a covered activity.
	NASO	No specific plan in place, but could be covered under other benefits.
	ABUA	$100,000 accident medical plan that covers accidental injuries; $500 Dental Benefit; $250 Deductible.
Assault Protection
	IHSA*	No specific plan in place, but could be covered under other benefits.
	NASO	$3,000 legal services; $5,000 medical; $500 Game fee protection.
	ABUA	No specific plan in place, but could be covered under other benefits.
Game Fee Protection
	IHSA*	$50 per scheduled game missed as a result of a covered accident, subject to a maximum of $500 per week and an annual maximum of $2,000.
	NASO	3 Optional Supplemental Programs; Lowest coverage offers $50/game and $1,000 annual maximum for $25 annual premium.
	ABUA	Will pay up to $50 per game lost if an umpire is injured while officiating (maximum payable is $2,000 for up to 26 weeks).
Accidental Death & Dismemberment
	FVB	$1,000 coverage through FVB's affiliation with LOAN.  Incident must occur during game or activity sponsored by FVB.
	IHSA*	$10,000 of non-cardiac / circulatory AD&D coverage for losses occurring during a covered activity. Coverage extends to include travel directly to and from a covered activity.
	NASO	No specific plan in place, but could be covered under other benefits.
	ABUA	No specific plan in place, but could be covered under other benefits.

*Coverage limited to contests recognized by IHSA.