How player insurance works in Rugby Union and the modern challenges facing insurers

The 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan can be considered a success not only for the manner in which the tournament was delivered but also the fantastic way in which the teams all played.  It’s hard to believe this is only the 9^th finals - the tournament has grown from its humble beginnings in the 1997 to its present-day global audience. The competition adds additional pressure on the international governing body, World Rugby, as well as national governing bodies and the various stakeholders to maintain the standards and protections necessary for the success of a leading international sport.

At the heart of the sport is the player.  And from an insurance perspective, the player is the ‘asset’ in which clubs have invested a significant amount of time, money and resources and have a financial stake.  So, when players take to the field in this fast moving, high-energy contact sport it is extremely important that the “assets” are protected as best as possible.   Today, there are a number of challenges facing insurers who operate in the market and provide insurance coverage to players, clubs and governing bodies.  These include the requirement for compulsory liability insurance to protect the players welfare and support for rehabilitation, a protocol and framework for concussion injury and management of concussion, wage inflation for players, and a growing global audience. 

Accordingly, this article explains how player insurance operates in Rugby.  Specifically, it looks at:

• the insurance obligations at international level under World Rugby’s Regulations;
• the insurance obligations at club and amateur level; and
• the contemporary challenges facing insurers and the state of the insurance market.