USJA insurance?

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[Bronson]

Hey all,

I teach in a multi-art facility and the powers-that-be have recently decided that all students and instructors must join the USJA (http://www.usja-judo.org/USJA_INS.htm) so each member is covered under that organizations accidental injury insurance policy. Now, I think this is a good idea, but I'm just curious if anybody out there has had to use the insurance, or if anyone knows of better insurance at a comparable price ($40/year).

Thanks,

Bronson

[DonMagee]

No coverage is provided for martial arts activities involving the use of weapons, kick boxing or breaking techniques. (Weapons are defined as sharpened blades or projectiles.) Nor is coverage provide for free sparring activities unless each student will be furnished with a copy of written USJA rules that include at the minimum these statements:

a) No contact is permitted to the head (except light contact to headgear), face, neck, or groin.

b) Headgear, mouthpieces, and padded kicking boots are required for all participants.

c) Groin cups are required for males, and chest protectors are suggested for female participants.

In my mind this makes it all the more worthless. I would check to see if aikido style randori is concidered free sparing.

[Chuck Clark]

This type of insurance is a way to generate income, give a sense of security, imply a sense of lessening liability issues... unless things have changed in the insurance industry greatly this type of policy is considered 'secondary coverage' that will not pay until other insurance you have pays. School insurance for activities at school... sports, band, anything involving travel, etc. come under this same type of coverage. They are low cost, extremely difficult to get any payment of a claim and as already mentioned, a way to collect money. In many cases it has become clear that there are kickbacks to organizations that require this sort of insurance to become a member. Check out the payment of claims ratio to the amount of premiums paid. This is public info you can get from your state insurance commission on any insurance company that's licensed to do business in the state.

If it isn't important to you, then just consider the insurance fee as part of the membership fee and don't complain when it won't pay claims.