Insurance for schools, colleges & universities

How you're covered by RFU insurance
After-school clubs, university varsity matches, and college derbies – rugby isn’t just limited to your local club. And it’s not just the professionals that need to be insured. Educational institutions should also have insurance in case of accidents, so every player is protected.
Rugby union players in school, college, and university teams are covered by the RFU's personal accident insurance. This is automatically arranged by the RFU.
What is personal accident insurance?
Personal accident insurance arranged by the RFU is financial protection for rugby players who are seriously injured or die due to the sport. This can be during competitive play and training or travelling to and from rugby.
What's covered?
If a player in a school, college, or university team suffers a permanently disabling injury or dies while taking part in rugby, the policy pays out. Injuries that are severe or catastrophic, such as a traumatic brain injury and catastrophic spinal injury, are also covered. The amount the player receives depends on the type of injury and its severity.
What’s not covered?
The RFU's personal accident policy doesn't cover players for sickness or injury due to a medical condition. It also doesn’t cover them for loss of income after a temporary or minor injury that stops them from working.
Learn more about personal accident insurance.
Public liability insurance isn't included
The RFU doesn't arrange liability cover for schools and colleges. That’s because the educational establishment should arrange its own liability insurance.
Universities are also not included in the RFU’s liability cover for the same reason. However, if your university team isn't included in the wider university insurance policy, it may be covered under the RFU policy if it’s affiliated to the local constituent body. Just get in touch if you’d like to know more.
What about coaches?
If you coach rugby union at a school, college, or university, your liability insurance may be provided by another body. This can depend on how you provide your coaching:
- If you’re directly employed by the school, college or university, your employer should arrange your liability insurance.
- If you’re a club coach visiting a school, college, or university on behalf of your club, you are covered under the club's public liability insurance, whether paid or voluntary coaching.
- If you're directly employed by the RFU, providing the coaching as part of an RFU programme, you are covered by the RFU's corporate insurance.
- If you're a self-employed coach providing coaching to the school, college, or university as a contracted coach, you need to arrange your own public liability insurance. Be ready to show proof that you have it.