Australian Little Athletics has arranged an insurance program that includes coverage for all affiliated states, including SALAA, and all centres, including WLAC.
The program includes a number of policies of which the following are most likely to concern WLAC parents and athletes (although we hope the need will not arise):
Sports injury and Personal Accident. This covers participants in the event of personal injury loss arising from their participation in Little Athletics activities.
Public and Products Liability. This covers legal liability to third parties for property damage and/or bodily injury in respect of all activities associated with little athletics. All registered athletes, volunteers, officials, and committee members are covered. There is a professional indemnity extension for coaches and administrators.
Directors and Officers Liability. This covers committee members and those concerned in the management of the club against damages and legal costs resulting from an action against them for negligence.
In each case there are limitations on the benefits provided by the cover and in some cases an excess applies.
The ALA Insurance Manual contains full details of the coverage provided by the program and WLAC keeps a copy of the manual which is available for perusal and reference.
Note that if the likelihood of a claim arises it needs to be reported promptly to the insurer. Claim forms are available from the committee. Note also that the insurer may refuse to honour the claim if the claimant has admitted liability. It is a standard condition of most insurance policies that concessions of liability are matters for the insurer to determine.
Insurance is a large expense for sporting organisations and premiums are based largely on claims experience. The only way to minimise premiums is to minimise claims. We urge all athletes and caregivers to exercise all due care in all their activities related to little athletics.
