U.S. Fencing - The Official Website of the U.S. Fencing Association - FAQ

What does “general liability” insurance cover? General liability coverage provides protection for allegations of negligence that result in third party bodily injury or property damage. This policy provides defense costs protection for the named insured, and will indemnify and defend the covered person or club if there is a lawsuit for covered activities. For example, if someone gets hurt during a covered activity, and sues to recover for damages, this policy is intended to respond to protect insured parties against alleged negligence that caused these damages.
Who is Insured? United States Fencing Association, member coaches, USFA participating clubs and their member participants who elect coverage, member officials while acting in their capacity as such during USFA sanctioned activities, USFA Divisions while participating in USFA sanctioned tournaments where 100% of the division’s participants are members of USFA.
What are the covered activities? Covered activities include approved and/or sanctioned events, organized and supervised practices held in conjunction with approved and/or sanctioned events, any member or organization’s activities that are either directly or indirectly related to U.S. Fencing’s operation.
How does my club purchase insurance? You can purchase insurance on the club membership/insurance enrollment form located on the Forms and Documents/ Entries and Applications page of the USFA website.
Are club dues/insurance rates prorated at any point during the year? Club dues are not prorated. Club insurance rates are prorated April 1^st– July 31^st. Please contact the National Office for rates following April 1^st.
Explain more about the coverage for clubs who enroll. Clubs that elect the general liability coverage are afforded protection while hosting or participating in organized, supervised club practices and fencing activities, and for their participation in USFA or FIE sanctioned competitions. Essentially, coverage applies to fencing and related ancillary activities of the club.
Who is the insurance carrier? Markel Insurance Company is the insurance carrier. Markel is rated XV by A.M. Best and has insured sports and recreation programs for over 40 years.
If I drive one or more students to a competition with my personal car, am I covered? No. The USFA general liability policy does not provide this coverage. Liability coverage follows the owner of the vehicle driven. If you are driving your own vehicle, your personal auto coverage will apply. It is always recommended to carry the highest liability limits possible as auto injuries have the potential to be severe and catastrophic. Statutory limits typically are not sufficient. If you are transporting others, it is wise to ask your personal insurance agent about maximizing your auto protection.
If a student is injured in my USFA member club during an individual lesson while wearing proper attire or not, am I covered? The club activity must be sanctioned by the USFA in order for coverage to apply. Clubs who have elected coverage and individual member coaches are covered. There are no restrictions with regard to proper attire; however, this raises the likelihood of a potential injury and negligence which could increase the chances for an injury that could result in a liability claim.
What other insurance coverage should my club consider that might be offered to USFA member clubs? Other coverages that are now available to USFA member clubs are as follows:

-Director’s & Officers Liability

-Property/Contents Insurance

-Crime Insurance

To request a quote for these coverages or if you have any questions regarding the insurance program through the USFA, please contact the USFA insurance representative,

Ronda Ashley, CPCU Vice President, Bollinger Insurance 800-350-8005, ext. 8690, or .

Coaches’ Liability Insurance

Are Coaches Covered under the USFA’s insurance plan? Added as a new benefit in 2005, the USFA continues to offer general liability coverage to member coaches at no additional cost. As an added benefit of membership through the USFA, the limit is $1,000,000 per occurrence and provides protection for coaches.
Regarding coverage for coaches, does the instruction have to be sanctioned by the USFA in order for coverage to apply? The general liability coverage for USFA member coaches follows them 24 hours a day for all fencing instruction for all USFA affiliated and non-affiliated clubs/activities.
If I am a USFA member coach working with a USFA club who has not elected liability coverage, am I covered under the USFA general liability plan? Yes. By virtue of your membership, you are protected individually during fencing activities involving instruction, practice, or competition.
If I am a member USFA coach who owns and teaches at a USFA affiliated club and also teach at a non-USFA affiliated club, am I covered for both? Yes. This benefit applies to all member coaches as of August 1, 2005 and offer by USFA’s new insurance carrier, Markel Insurance.
Who do I contact for a certificate of Coaches’ Liability Insurance? Please contact Dana Brown at the National Office: .

Secondary Accident/Medical Insurance for Members

Who is insured under U. S. Fencing’s secondary accident/medical plan? All registered members of the USFA while participating in U. S. Fencing covered activities, and during group travel to and from covered activities are considered insureds under this plan. There is a deductible required for this policy.
What is my first step in filing a claim? Contact Dana Brown at U. S. Fencing at 719-866-3604 (or e-mail to . Dana will need some information about your injury and will provide you with the necessary claim form to complete.
Where do I send the claim form after I complete it? Return the completed form to Dana Brown at U. S. Fencing. She will review the completed claim form and provide written confirmation that the activity is sanctioned or approved by U. S. Fencing. Dana will then forward the completed claim form to the claims payer, Bollinger Insurance who will then initiate communication directly with you while the claim is being processed. All future communication will be between you and Bollinger Insurance.
Who is Bollinger and where are they located? Bollinger Insurance is a third party claims administrator who pays claims on behalf of the insurance carrier, Markel Insurance. Bollinger has been in business for over 45 years and specializes in sports and leisure programs. Their address is as follows:

Bollinger Insurance

Attn: Alice Negron, Sports Claims Supervisor

101 JFK Parkway

Short Hills, NJ 07078

Phone: 800-350-8005, ext. 8148

Fax: 973-921-2876

Are there any important rules or requirements that I need to follow? Yes. This accident medical insurance plan is on an “Excess” basis. This means that all benefits are supplemental to any other valid and collectible insurance that you have in place. This policy should be considered as secondary insurance. Therefore, it is very important that you follow the PPO/HMO requirements or utilize the list of preferred provider physicians through your own health insurance plan in order for this plan to pay eligible benefits. If you do not follow the PPO/HMO or preferred provider physicians as required through your own health insurance plan, your claim for benefits through the U. S. Fencing plan will be denied as a result of non-compliance through your primary carrier. You also have a responsibility to file your claim within 90 days of a covered injury in order to be eligible for coverage through U. S. Fencing’s plan.
How can I ensure that my claim gets paid as expediently as possible? At the start, the most important thing to do is to fill out the claim form in its entirety. The submission of an incomplete claim form is by far the most common reason for slowing up the claims process. For example, if the claims payer (Bollinger) receives a claim form without a signature from the claimant, it will be sent back before processing can commence. It is also mandatory that your form show the date of accident, primary health insurance carrier information, and signature/approval from U. S. Fencing. Another way to help speed up claims processing is to provide the claims payer with your itemized bills and “explanation of benefits” (EOB) from your primary health insurance carrier. These forms will be mandatory for processing. If you do not have a primary health insurance plan in place, you will need to provide itemized bills.
Who do I contact for general coverage questions? Please contact Ronda Ashley, CPCU, Vice President, Bollinger Insurance at 800-350-8005, ext. 8690 or e-mail to: . Ronda will be glad to assist you and provide you the proper guidance in filing your claim.