General Frequently Asked Questions

• Where and when am I covered?

  Cover under the Swimming Australia insurance policies applies to members/entities, whilst undertaking insured activities associated with the sport of Swimming.

• What insurance policies are automatically provided as a part of Swimming Australia membership?

  Personal Accident

  Public Liability

  Professional Indemnity

• What is Public Liability Insurance?

  Public Liability insurance is designed to protect you in the event that you are sued by a third party for a negligent act that results in property damage or bodily injury anywhere in the world. This policy provides protection for insured entities and persons that are held liable.

• What is the Limit of Liability?

  $20,000,000 for Public Liability claims
  $20,000,000 for Professional Indemnity claims

• What is Products Liability insurance?

  Product liability insurance will cover you in the event that any goods that you supply cause injury, illness, loss or damage to a member of the public. This could include food prepared and sold at a fundraising day.

Swimming Australia Coaches Insurance FAQs

Please see below for Frequently asked questions relating to insurance for coaches.

• What insurance cover is provided with the Swimming Australia Coaches Insurance program for the Australian Licence Swim Coach?

  Combined Liability
  Public Liability $20,000,000
  Professional Indemnity (Errors and Omissions) $20,000,000
  Products Liability $20,000,000
  Molestation cover $1,000,000
  Crisis Management $300,000
  Personal Accident
  Death and Permanent Disability up to $150,000
  Loss of Income $600 per week
  Non Medicare Medical Expenses $5,000
  Student Tutorial benefit $600 per week

• What is the excess?

  Combined Liability
  Nil except molestation which is $50,000 each and every claim
  Personal Accident
  Non Medicare Medical expenses Nil
  Loss of Income 14 days
  Student Tutorial benefit 7 days

• What am I covered for under the Swimming Australia Insurance program?

  Provided that a coach holds a valid Australian Swim Coach Licence, holds suitable experience
  and competence and has completed appropriate steps to manager safety and risk, coverage
  includes:
  ✓ Coaching Swimming in my swimming club environment
  ✓ Coaching Swimming at locations outside my swimming club
  ✓ Coaching Swimming in a vocational or educational setting – school, university etc.
  ✓ Coaching Swimming on pool deck at Swimming Australia or state-endorsed
  competitions and events
  ✓ Participation in Swimming Australia or state-endorsed learning and development
  activities
  ✓ Coaching Swimming at Swimming Australia or state-endorsed clinics, camps and
  carnivals
  ✓ Coaching Swimming as part of Swimming Australia or state team selection (national and
  international)
  ✓ Mentoring and contributing to coach professional development
  ✓ Participation in Swimming Australia or state-endorsed learning and development
  activities
  ✓ Coaching Swimming in rural and remote communities in Australia.
  ✓ Coaching Swimming for a non-affiliated club or activity
  ✓ Coaching in Pool, and Open Water settings
  ✓ Coaching Swimmers with Disability
  ✓ Contributing to industry-related projects or discussions – both in-person and online
  ✓ The Provision of Basic dry-land activation for the purpose of warm-up, cool-down and
  other dry land training in alignment with experience and competence.
  ✓ Any other Swimming Australia supported Swim Coaching activity not listed above.
  ✓ Should you require clarification on activities you re qualified to provide please contact [email protected]

• What am I not covered for under the Swimming Australia Insurance program?

  ✓ People who are referred to as coaches but do not hold a valid Australian Swim Coach
  Licence.
  ✓ Coaching outside Australia – unless you are coaching at a Swimming Australia or State
  Swimming Organisation endorsed event. Some additional coverage is provided, please
  contact V-Insurance directly about this.
  ✓ Coaching swimmers or athletes at a level outside the scope of your qualifications and
  experience – for example, A new swim coach, leading heat training for performance
  athletes.
  ✓ Coaches who have not maintained all compliance requirements to keep their licence

• If I’m coaching swimming via a school that has insurance does my Swimming Australia Coach insurance still covers me and how does dual insurance work?

  Yes, the Swimming Australia Coaches Insurance policy will still cover you. You can claim under whatever policy you deem the most appropriate. If dual insurance cover exists, the insurers will sort out between themselves who pays the claim. You will not be left uninsured

• Who is the Insurer?

  Combined Liability – Canopious Australia
  Personal Accident – Canopious Australia

• Who do I contact in the event of a claim?

  Personal Accident: There is a step by step process on the Swimming Australia
  Insurance website https://vinsurancegroup.com/swimmingaus/
  Combined Liability: Please contact our office on [email protected]
  or 1300 172 321 in the event you are held liable and we will assist you with your
  claim and have the appropriate people engaged. This could be lawyers or other
  crisis management services.

• Does the Swimming Australia Coach Insurance cover me when I teach students to swim?

  No, this policy covers swim coaching only – the wider Swimming Australia Insurance
  Policy makes consideration for swimming teachers.

• What if I prefer to have alternative insurance coverage – for example, if I work at a school and have coverage with the school?

  Please contact [email protected]

• How do I obtain a Certificate of Currency that the school I am wording for requests?

  Please contact [email protected]

• The pool I am coaching at does not meet the standards and is unsafe. What should I do? Am I still insured from a liability perspective?

  As a qualified coach you are required to provide a safe environment for your
  students. If the environment is not safe you should try to make the environment
  safe or cancel/reschedule the session. The Swimming Australia combined
  Liability Insurance policy will still cover you in the event you are held liable.

• Is there ceiling to the amount a coach can be paid and still be covered by the insurance program?

  From a Personal Accident perspective the loss of insurance cover under the Swimming Australia policy is $600 per week. There is no limit on earnings from
  coaching in regard to the Combined liability insurance policy.

• Am I covered if a student alleges they were molested in my care?

  Yes, this cover is limited to $1,000,000 with a $50,000 excess.

• How do I obtain a copy of the policy?

  From the Swimming Australia Insurance website
  https://vinsurancegroup.com/swimmingaus/

• What is the claims process?

  Public Liability Claims
  Please contact V-Insurance Group as soon as you are aware of a liability matter. This
  could be a written or verbal accusation that you are being held liable for a loss. VInsurance will provide advice and if appropriate, engage with your insurer and other
  resources to help you.
  Personal Accident
  There is a step by step process on the Swimming Australia insurance website
  https://vinsurancegroup.com/swimmingaus/how-to-make-a-claim/

• I have a business name for my individual coaching. If someone takes legal action against my business name is that covered by the Swimming Australia Liability Insurance policy?

  Yes, so long as the business is a sole trader. The policy does not cover staff you may
  employ.

• Is a licensed coach covered whilst coaching in a private pool?

  No, Swimming Australia coach insurance cover does not include coaching in a private home pool (unless agreed by Swimming Australia).  Please contact V-Insurance Group If you require a separate insurance cover.

Are non-Australian residents covered?

Yes, providing you are a Swimming Australia member.

What is Personal Accident Insurance?

Personal Accident Insurance covers you for injuries you sustain while participating in insured Swimming related activities, such as sanctioned events, training and official social events and fundraising activities including all direct travel to and from these events.

Are there any medical expenses which are not covered?

Yes. There is a Government Legislation which prevents insurers from covering Medicare related costs including the Medicare Gap. 

The most common “Non-Medicare” expenses include:

• Private Hospital Bed & Theatre Fees
• Dental
• Ambulance
• Chiropractic
• Physiotherapy
• Osteopathy

Medical expenses that are covered by Medicare (ie. not covered by this sports injury policy) include:

• Doctor’s Fees
• Surgeon’s Fees
• Anaesthetist’s Fees
• X-rays

Am I covered in the event of death or other permanent injury?

Yes, the following lump sum payments are provided under the Swimming Australia Personal Accident policy;

What is the age limit on the Swimming Australia Personal Accident Policy?

The policy covers members/athletes who are between 2 – 100 years of age.

Do I have to pay for my medical expenses first?

Yes, the Personal Accident policy is a reimbursement policy, you must pay for your medical expenses and seek the applicable reimbursement under the Personal Accident insurance policy.