INSURANCE

Personal Accident Insurance: Scottish Rugby’s Regulation

Serious injuries are thankfully very rare within Scottish rugby. However, as part of our duty of care to our players, Scottish Rugby has determined that all those playing within Scotland must be provided with appropriate catastrophic injury insurance cover whilst playing. The specific requirements for player insurance are set out within Scottish Domestic Regulation 23, Player Insurance (“SDR 23”). SDR 23 builds on World Rugby’s Regulation 23 on Insurance.

Club Accident Insurance Scheme

Other than in the limited circumstances set out in SDR 23, it is compulsory for member clubs to participate in the Club Accident Insurance Scheme.

The Club Accident Insurance Scheme provides free catastrophic injury cover to those playing for an insured team. Scottish Rugby asks that clubs make a copy of the Scheme Summary available to their players (such that all players are informed as to the Scheme’s benefits, and of its limitations, prior to taking to the field).

Clubs should also specifically discuss with their players whether the club is going to take out the optional ‘temporary injury cover’ available under the Scheme. The players should be informed as to whether this cover is ultimately taken out by the club.

Finally, Scottish Rugby recommends that all players individually consider whether, in their own personal circumstances, they should additionally take out their own personal insurance cover (i.e. over and above that available under the Club Accident Insurance Scheme).

The 2024/25 Proposal Form is available for completion on SCRUMS. Clubs are required to complete this process by 15th September 2024. Failure to return a Proposal Form by that date may lead to the club being suspended from playing and/or training.

A Summary of the Club Accident Insurance Scheme is available below:

Schools’ Personal Accident Insurance Scheme

All schools affiliated to Scottish Rugby benefit from Scottish Rugby’s Schools’ Personal Accident Scheme. There is no requirement for the affiliated school to return a proposal form or to declare the number of teams requiring to be covered. Catastrophic injury cover is automatic for affiliated schools.

Single Game Insurance Cover

In accordance with SDR 16 Match Approvals and Permission to Tour, games involving “scratch teams” are only permitted with the prior written approval of Scottish Rugby. One of the key requirements for approval is that any scratch team has in place appropriate insurance cover. Cover can be effected by submitting a single match Proposal Form together with the appropriate remittance.

Paid Players

Member clubs are specifically reminded that additional insurance requirements may exist where they are paying players. These can range from the need to amend their Employers and Public Liability cover to recognise their professional/semi-professional players through to the specific additional player insurance requirements set out in WR Regulation 23.

Scottish Rugby recommends that all clubs paying or providing material benefits to any player discuss their potential additional insurance obligations with their insurance adviser.

Public Liability Insurance

Scottish Rugby assists member clubs and match officials in relation to the “rugby risk” associated with the game. For further details please see:

Please Note: Clubs should make appropriate arrangements in relation to their non-rugby Public Liability risks.

FAQs

Player insurance can be a complex area. To assist those involved in our game we have prepared a quick summary of Frequently Asked Questions.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for or have a specific query in relation to Player Insurance matters please email clubinsurance@sru.org.uk or contact Scottish Rugby’s Head of Regulation, Graham Ireland, at graham.ireland@sru.org.uk or 0131 346 5004.