USATF Insurance Policy as it applies to a measurer

Basically, the race must be sanctioned* in order for any of us to be protected when measuring a course. Here is a general explanation of the policy:

Liability Insurance covers claims if the official/measurer caused property damage or injured a person while performing his/her duties for a sanctioned event. The official/measurer is covered for sanctioned events (note, only if the event is already sanctioned – so courses that are measured before the event is sanctioned result in an uninsured measurer). Coverage does not depend on USATF membership or whether or not the person is a USATF certified official. Liability insurance does not cover any claims for damages if the measurer makes a mistake (that is professional liability).

Sport Accident Insurance covers accidents/injuries to oneself while measuring the course (deductibles and co-pays apply). Falling off a bike would count. The event must be sanctioned. The official/measurer must be a member of USATF or a USATF certified official. Note: The Sports Accident policy with USATF is only excess. It doesn't do what a comprehensive health insurance policy would cover. A person would be covered by the person's own disability, health insurance and personal liability policy (homeowner/umbrella) first, then this policy would be secondary.

For more information about Sport Accident Insurance, see the USATF Group Accident Insurance page.

USATF’s general liability insurance does not include coverage for professional liability (so claims for damages if the measurer makes a measurement mistake are not covered). If the measurer has a concern about being held responsible for his/her course accuracy, then he/she should consider including a waiver or hold harmless agreement in his/her contract with the event.

Gene Newman
USATF/ RRTC Chairman
January 3, 2008

* As of 2009, USATF has also obtained a general liability policy that can apply to measuring courses for non-sanctioned races if the measurer is a USATF certified official. See a Summary of Converage for this policy. The cost of this coverage is being paid by local USATF Associations.