There are over 1,500 golf clubs in Australia. Protecting the financial viability of each club with a bespoke golf club insurance policy is essential.
Golf clubs face a wide variety of risks - some of which may not be completely obvious. That is why it is so important when shopping around for golf club
insurance to make sure you get cover that is designed especially for golf clubs. With Australian Golf Insurance you can rest assured that we have the
cover to meet the needs of golf clubs throughout Australia.
In this document we have addressed some frequently asked questions - just click on the question to reveal the answer.
- What does the policy cover?
The policy covers:
- Material damage, including accidental damage, burglary and theft, equipment breakdown costs, glass;
- Business interruption;
- Public and Products Liability;
- Club management liability for directors, committee members, secretary, officers, employees and volunteers,
personal legal liability and costs following a "Wrongful Act"; Employee Liability, Professional Indemnity
and Fidelity;
- Volunteer workers personal accident cover.
- The cover provided is very comprehensive; does our club need all these components of the insurance package?
-
We have designed a policy which provides broad coverage to ensure your risks are adequately covered.
Sportscover Golf has the ability to negotiate the best possible cover for the golfing industry so many benefits
have been included with no impact upon premium. However, flexibility is also the key. So should you not
want to insure items such as theft, glass, money or management liability or if you are happy to have a higher
policy excess, it may be possible to get a further reduction on standard premiums. Your broker can obtain
options for you to consider.
- Why do we need Directors and Officers Insurance when the Directors are acting on behalf of the club and under a
specific governance charter?
-
In this day and age it is an unfortunate fact that people who are involved in the running and administration
of the club can be sued when things go wrong. Our Club Management Liability insurance addresses the exposures
and wrongdoings that clubs and associations face every day, including;
- Discrimination (age, race, sex, employment, membership)
- Harassment
- Wrongful termination of employees
- Inefficient administration or supervision
- Waste of assets
- Misleading reports or other misrepresentations
- Libel and slander
- Acts beyond granted authority
- Employee theft
- Why does my Club require Public Liability insurance?
-
Public liability Insurance protects employees and members of the club. It aims to provide indemnity to the club
against legal liability to pay damages arising from accidental injury (including death) and accidental property damage.
This covers claims arising from negligence of the club or one of its employees. It also provides for payment and legal
costs related to such claims.
Liability for injuries or damage to property occurring during club activities may fall on any number of persons
involved with a club, including:
- The club organising the activity;
- Participants;
- In the case of a sporting event, the coach, official or supervisor of a team or individual;
- The occupier or owner of the facility; and
- Spectators and other invitees.
The potential for liability arises because these parties will usually owe a duty of care to the other parties. If a party
fails to exercise reasonable care and another party suffers injury or damage, the party who breached their duty is
potentially liable for negligence.
- Why is Professional Indemnity Insurance important?
-
Professional indemnity insurance is designed to cover you in the event of a claim made against you because of professional
negligence caused by mistakes or bad advice. This is particularly important for coaches or anyone
involved in lessons, providing tuition or advice and training.
It provides indemnity cover if a person suffers a loss - whether material, financial or physical - directly attributed to
negligent acts.
- Are visitors covered for personal Liability Insurance?
-
The best method of providing personal liability coverage to green fee players is through Sportscover Golf's personal liability
insurance policy. Green fee players will be covered under the Sportscover Golf Player Liability policy program if the club
includes the Sportscover Golf service fee that covers player liability and other services such as benchmarking, game development
and promotion. The fee for this is $1 per round, of which the club retains 50c to go to its own promotion or game development
activity.
For this reason, the liability component of the club insurance policy has lower premiums. However, if you want your club
liability policy to extend to cover visitor players please discuss this with your broker.
- Why is it important to have business interruption cover for damage to greens, bunkers, landscaping etc.?
-
If your golf course is damaged you may have to close those damaged areas for repairs. This may make a significant dent in
your profits. While private members or guests may choose to still play on temporary greens, it spoils the enjoyment for all
players and damages the club's reputation. Damage to well tendered tees or greens can prevent medals or competitions from
being played. Worst of all social bookings represent an important flow of income into any club and the quality of greens is
paramount. Damage to the greens may take weeks or months to repair during which time the reputation of the course suffers
badly. Business Interruption insurance can help protect your golf club for loss of profits for a wide range of perils.
- Will the policy cover my club if we operate catering facilities?
-
Yes, numerous golf clubs will have some form of catering facilities on site such as a restaurant, cafe and bar. The risk of
destruction of the golf clubhouse from fire is the most likely and significant threat to the financial viability of the business.
The loss of income arising because of a major fire may prove devastating to many golf clubs.
Additionally, if a member (or visitor) becomes ill soon after eating or drinking at an event there is a possibility that the club
could be sued for failing to comply with health and safety regulations (for illness injury or disease).
- Is there cover for prevention of access?
-
A major threat to any golf club may occur when there is some type of denial of access into its car park or course area. To help
mitigate this Australian Golf Insurance has appropriate policy extensions to protect you where access to your premises is restricted
through no fault of your own. This may occur due to a local gas leak cutting off nearby roads and access points or other similar
scenarios restricting your members ability to go into the car park or getting out onto the course.
- Is it more expensive to use the Australian Golf Insurance policy for Golf Clubs?
-
No, in fact based on like for like cover we would suggest that through the collective buying power of GA you will benefit from reduced
premiums.
The benefits of being insured through Australian Golf Insurance is the fact that you are dealing
with experts who can offer the right
advice and a bespoke and competitive golf club insurance product.
A specialist golf club insurance policy includes extensions specific to golf clubs not included in standard sports club insurance,
licensed premises or commercial insurance policies.
In over 75% of the clubs that we review we find that the club is either inadequately insured or their existing premium is not competitive.
- Can you provide golf course insurance cover to clubs anywhere in Australia?
-
Yes - No matter where your golf club is based, Australian Golf Insurance is available.
- I'm unhappy with my current broker and I don't think I have the best insurance policy available to me. Can I change midway through my policy to
another supplier?
-
You are able to transfer your existing policy to another broker midway through a policy term. However, you are contracted with your current insurer for
the existing term of the policy. You do have the right to cancel your policy - but we would advise you to check with your existing insurer first as
you will probably incur policy cancellation charges.
If your current broker does not want to access Australian Golf Insurance or you feel you would
benefit from having another broker handle your insurance options then we will be happy to recommend a broker close to you. You can find your
nearest Sportscover Accredited Broker by clicking on the button at the bottom of this page.
- How do we make a claim?
-
Simply call your insurance broker or phone Sportscover Claims hotline direct on
1300 134 956.
- Who is the insurer?
-
Insurance is arranged through Sportscover Golf's insurance partner Sportscover and is underwritten by the Sportscover Syndicate 3334 at Lloyd's.
Each policy issued is backed by the full strength and A rated security of Lloyd's of London.
- Can I get copies of the policy?
-
Yes, these are available by emailing
moc.revocstrops@tsuaflog or telephoning
1300 39 79 39.