Personal Accident Insurance
Like most National Sporting Organisations, Australian Sailing provides whole-of-sport Personal Accident insurance coverage. Within our sport, this covers financial members of affiliated clubs, Discover Sailing Centre students and SailPass holders, primarily when participating in sailing races and training activities.
The insurance provided by Australian Sailing is an important part of the offering for our Affiliated Clubs, so we want to ensure that clubs and club members understand the purpose, scope of cover and the level of benefits provided by the policy. We appreciate that this hasn’t always been the case, and along with the fact that our recent claims history has driven loss ratios to a level that would not be sustainable if left unchanged. With these considerations in mind, Australian Sailing has recently conducted a review of the policy.
The driving principles of the review have been to achieve an outcome that recalibrates the policy to so that it is focused on providing coverage that gives value and relevance at club level, while reducing duplication and managing costs.
At the start of this process, a brief survey was sent to clubs seeking input as to what was viewed as important to them, in terms of coverage and scope. The key messages from clubs included:
- 60% of club office bearers said they had limited knowledge of the policy
- Those that have made a claim have generally had a poor experience
- Club-run events and volunteering are the most valued activities to be covered
- Permanent disablement and non-Medicare medical expenses are the most important elements of the policy
- 65% of respondents thought it would be beneficial for individuals to have options to increase coverage
This has helped inform the review which has been conducted with our brokers, Network Insurance Group. The review resulted in a number of changes being made to the policy, which will come into effect from 4pm, 30th June, 2022
The foundations of the updated policy are:
It provides whole-of-sport protection
It recognises that safety measures implemented by clubs lower risk and insurance costs
It is tailored to cover club activities – not just racing but includes other club-based events
It is significantly more beneficial and cost effective when arranged nationally, rather than by clubs or individuals
It minimises duplication of cover and manage rising costs
Individuals can choose to increase the level of cover to suit their circumstances outside of the base policy
Key changes to the policy include:
Extension of cover to include all club volunteers
Maintaining or increasing the level of benefit paid for most claimable categories (see below)
Removal of overseas coverage
Clarification of recreational boating coverage
| What this means for clubs: | |
| All financial members of Australian Sailing Affiliated Clubs continue to be covered while participating in activities that are organised by the club (all types of sailing under the Racing Rules of Sailing, Powerboat navigation events, SUP/ Kayaking events, Cruising events, etc) | |
| All club office bearers (directors and committees) and volunteers are now covered on the water and on club premises i.e., race officiating, clubhouse maintenance, canteen duty etc (now includes non-member volunteers). Some clubs may no longer need a separate Volunteer Workers insurance policy as a result of this new inclusion | |
| All accredited Instructors, Coaches and Officials remain covered, on clearer terms | |
| All Discover Sailing Centre course participants continue to be covered, for up to three months from course completion | |
| Clarifies the existing position that club members are not covered when engaged in recreational boating activities (going for an afternoon cruise, coastal journeys etc) - These activities should be covered separately by the boat owners Marine Hull insurance |
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| Club members are not covered when on the club premises in a personal capacity (i.e., having a meal/ drink, working on their boat etc). Guests (previously defined as category 4 Insured Persons) are no longer covered. - These people should already be protected by a club’s Liability insurance, a Marine Hull policy or private health insurance (outside of any protection provided by Medicare) |
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| Your members will not be covered when overseas - The geographic limits of coverage will now be limited to Australian Territorial Waters (up to 200 nautical miles) - Individuals will no longer be covered when traveling to or competing in overseas events - Travel coverage can be arranged for clubs and individuals for overseas events by contacting our brokers |
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What this means for individuals: |
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| You are covered when racing and training/ practicing for races you are entered in | |
| You are covered when delivering a yacht to and from a race | |
| Travelling directly between your home and a club remains covered, but at a reduced rate | |
| You will no longer be covered when travelling to or competing in overseas events - The geographic limits of coverage are limited to Australian Territorial Waters (up to 200 nm) - Travel coverage can be arranged for clubs and individuals for overseas events by contacting our brokers For individuals who are departing to compete overseas prior to 31st July; and for those that may already be overseas, there is a sunset provision (extension of cover) for Overseas Medical cover that remains in place until 30th September 2022. |
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| You are not covered when participating in any activity organised by a non-affiliated club | |
| Updated and simplified claims process | |
| $50 excess for lodging non-Medicare Medical Expenses Claims (no change) | |
Changes to the benefits schedules:
| Policy Benefit Limits | 2021-2022 | 2022-23 (new) |
| Capital Benefits Includes loss of sight and loss of hearing |
100,000 | 100,000 |
| Fractured Bones Benefit | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Non-Medicare Medical Expenses Includes ambulance and theatre fees |
5,000 | 5,000 |
| Dental Benefit | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Physiotherapy Benefit | 750 | 850 |
| Student Tutorial Weekly Benefit | 350 | 450 |
| Home Help Weekly Benefit | 350 | 450 |
| Weekly Benefits | 350 | 450 |
| Death Benefit – Aged 18yrs to 85yrs | 75,000 | 50,000 |
| Death Benefit – Aged under 18yrs and over 85yrs | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Funeral Benefit | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Overseas Medical and Evacuation Expenses | 100,000 | Not insured - Travel |
| Age limits sub limit for death = 85 years sub limit for income protection = 75 |
90 years | 90 years |
Please read the policy documents (links below) for full details.
What is not covered?
- This policy is not Private Health or Life Insurance cover. It only provides compensation related to personal injury incurred when engaged in sailing and other activities that are organised by affiliated clubs
- Expenses already reimbursed by Medicare or other insurers cannot be claimed a second time under this policy
- Medical Expenses that are covered by Medicare (including the Medicare Gap) such as Surgeons, Anaesthetists and x-rays are unable to be covered by the Personal Accident policy- federal laws do not permit this
- Individuals can choose to increase the level of cover to suit their circumstances outside of the base policy. Our brokers can assist with this.
Frequently Asked Questions
For all insurance related enquiries please contact Network Marine on 1300 856 657 or email sailing@networkmarine.com.au or your state or territory general manager