
Running events can be a thrill for participants, but they also come with risks. Cancellation or postponement due to unforeseen circumstances like inclement weather or last-minute venue changes can be disastrous for organizers. In fact, a study found that 75% of running events face some form of disruption.
Having a solid insurance plan in place can help mitigate these risks. Event organizers can opt for cancellation insurance to protect against losses due to unforeseen events. This type of insurance can cover up to 80% of the event's costs, providing a safety net for organizers.
Insurance providers often require organizers to provide detailed information about their event, including estimated costs and expected attendance. This helps insurers assess the level of risk involved and tailor their coverage accordingly.
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General Information
Running events can be complex and unpredictable, which is why insurance is a crucial aspect to consider.
Running events can be affected by various factors such as weather, venue changes, and participant injuries, which can lead to significant financial losses.
To minimize risks, organizers can consider purchasing event insurance that covers cancellations, postponements, and other unforeseen circumstances.
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General Details

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What Is Race
So, you're planning a race event and want to know the basics. That's a great start!
Insurance for events is your protection against participants getting hurt or property getting lost or damaged. It also protects you against certain liabilities if your event is canceled or postponed due to uncontrollable circumstances.
Insurance for events is one of the first things you should secure when planning to hold an event.
Insurance Options
Running event insurance is a crucial aspect of event planning. It provides financial protection against unforeseen circumstances such as cancellations, postponements, or even accidents.

Event organizers can opt for liability insurance to cover themselves against claims of accidents or injuries that may occur during the event. This type of insurance can be particularly useful for events that involve high-risk activities such as marathons or obstacle courses.
Some insurance policies also offer cancellation insurance, which can help event organizers recover lost revenue in case the event is cancelled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.
Optional Policy Details
Optional Policy Details are crucial to consider when choosing an insurance plan. Some policies may have a waiting period before coverage begins, ranging from 30 to 90 days.
For example, a 30-day waiting period is common for health insurance policies. This means you won't have coverage for a month after purchasing the policy.
Some policies may also have a deductible, which is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before the insurance kicks in. The deductible can vary greatly, but it's often set at $1,000 or $2,000.
In some cases, a policy may have a coinsurance clause, which requires you to pay a percentage of medical expenses. This can range from 10% to 30% of the total cost.
It's essential to review your policy's details carefully to understand what's covered and what's not.
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What Type Do You Have?

When planning an event, it's essential to consider the type of event you're hosting. A small remote trail race requires different insurance than a big-city triathlon.
Consider the size of your event. A small event with a limited number of participants may not require the same level of insurance coverage as a large event with thousands of attendees.
Different events have different risks, and insurance coverage should reflect that. For example, a trail race may require insurance that covers injuries from falls or wildlife encounters.
Think about the type of activities you'll have at your event. If you're hosting a high-risk activity like rock climbing or skydiving, you'll need specialized insurance coverage.
Your event's location can also impact your insurance needs. A big-city event may require different insurance than a rural event due to factors like traffic and crowd control.
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Risk Management
Risk management is a crucial aspect of hosting a running event. It's a shared responsibility of race directors to ensure they're doing everything possible to deliver a safe, well-planned event for participants.

As part of the RRCA insurance program, you're required to attest to having reviewed their Safe Event Guidelines, among other documents. This is a requirement of the insurance policy, and a claim could be denied if an organization fails to have policies and procedures in place to collect waivers from participants.
To collect waivers, you'll need to obtain them from club members, event participants, volunteers, and club guests. This is a requirement of the insurance policy, and it's essential to have these waivers in place to avoid any potential issues.
Here are some key reasons why you need to prioritize risk management:
- You risk getting a compensation claim if a public attendee or participant gets hurt;
- You risk facing legal costs and compensation charges if a temporary staff member, employee, or volunteer/helper injures themselves during your event;
- You risk becoming liable to cover irrecoverable venue hire charges and face loss of profits in case the event is canceled, abandoned, or postponed due to circumstances beyond your control;
- You risk getting charged for lost or damaged equipment or property under your responsibility during the event (the venue is also on this list).
Why Race Matters
Race insurance is a crucial aspect of risk management, especially for events that involve physical activities like racing. You risk getting a compensation claim if a public attendee or participant gets hurt.
As an event organizer, you're responsible for ensuring the safety of everyone involved, including temporary staff members, employees, and volunteers. You risk facing legal costs and compensation charges if a temporary staff member, employee, or volunteer/helper injures themselves during your event.

Race insurance can protect you from financial losses due to unforeseen circumstances. You risk becoming liable to cover irrecoverable venue hire charges and face loss of profits in case the event is canceled, abandoned, or postponed due to circumstances beyond your control.
It's essential to consider the potential risks and take proactive measures to mitigate them. You risk getting charged for lost or damaged equipment or property under your responsibility during the event (the venue is also on this list).
Risk Management Guidelines
Risk management is a top priority for event organizers, and it's essential to have a solid plan in place to ensure a safe and successful event. All events insured by the RRCA should follow their Safe Events Guidelines.
Reviewing the RRCA's Safe Event Guidelines is crucial, as it provides detailed information on how to handle various situations that may arise during an event. This includes working with participants who require adaptive devices, such as wheelchairs or push-chairs.
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The RRCA's insurance program is a group policy, and poor planning by one organization can affect the program for all. This emphasizes the importance of thorough planning and risk assessment.
As part of the annual renewal process, RRCA members are required to attest to having reviewed the RRCA's guidelines and policies. This includes the RRCA Insurance Services Information, Safe Event Guidelines, Safe Group Run Guidelines, Race Director Code of Ethics, and Music Licensing Information.
RRCA member organizations are also required to obtain waivers from their club members, event participants, volunteers, and club guests. This is a requirement of the insurance policy, and a claim could be denied if an organization fails to have policies and procedures in place to collect waivers from participants.
Here are some key requirements for RRCA member organizations:
- Obtain waivers from club members, event participants, volunteers, and club guests
- Review and attest to having reviewed the RRCA's guidelines and policies
- Ensure thorough planning and risk assessment
By following these guidelines and requirements, event organizers can minimize risks and ensure a safe and successful event.
Weather-Related Risks
Weather-related risks are a significant concern for outdoor events. Location and seasonality play a big role in determining the likelihood of extreme weather.

Any extreme weather, such as cold or heat, storms, or drought, can affect the success of your event if not planned or covered for. This can include events in areas prone to hurricanes or wildfires.
You should find an insurance policy that can cover cancellation or rescheduling of the event if your race has a higher likelihood of extreme weather.
Coverage and Exclusions
The RRCA group liability policy has some specific exclusions to be aware of, including high-risk events like overnight relay races on open roads without police support, and mud-runs or warrior dashes with man-made obstacles.
These types of events are excluded from coverage, but events held on trails are included. It's also worth noting that events that can be altered to create man-made obstacles, such as watering down a dry trail, are not covered.
Here are some specific exclusions to be aware of:
- Overnight relay races on open roads without police support
- Mud-runs, warrior dashes, and urbanathons with man-made obstacles
- Events on man-made trails or cross country courses without man-made obstacles
- Amusement devices like moonbounces, bounce houses, dunk tanks, and pools
- Multisport training programs and events like triathlons and biathlons
- Fireworks, terrorism, fungi or bacteria, pollution, and asbestos
It's also worth noting that the RRCA reserves the right to deny access to the insurance program for activities that are deemed beyond the scope of the covered activities.
General Coverage Details

Most insurance policies provide coverage for a wide range of events, but it's essential to understand what's included and what's not.
Typically, policies cover damages to your home, including the structure, walls, and roof.
The extent of coverage can vary depending on the policy and provider, but standard coverage usually includes damage caused by fire, lightning, and windstorms.
In some cases, policies may also cover damage to personal belongings and valuables.
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Excluded Activities General
Some events are not covered under the RRCA group liability policy, and it's essential to understand what these exclusions are. High risk events like overnight relay races run on open roads are excluded, unless they're held on trails.
These types of events often pose a significant risk to participants and spectators, and the policy is designed to cover more traditional road races and trail events. If you're planning an overnight relay on open roads, you'll need to explore alternative insurance options.
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Mud-runs and similar events that include man-made obstacles like mud pits and wall climbs are also excluded. These events can be hazardous and are not considered typical road races or trail events.
Events that run on man-made trails or cross country courses without obstacles are covered, but altering the course to create man-made obstacles is not allowed. For example, watering down a dry trail to make it muddy is not permitted.
Here's a list of excluded activities:
- Overnight relay races run on open roads
- Mud-runs and similar events with man-made obstacles
- Events on man-made trails or cross country courses with man-made obstacles
- Amusement devices like moonbounces and dunk tanks
- Multisport training programs and events
- Fireworks, terrorism, fungi or bacteria, pollution, and asbestos
What Kind of Coverage Policy?
When browsing for insurance, check the coverage offered in the policy. You'll ideally want it to cover all property damage, bodily injury, and other specific risks associated with your event.
A good coverage policy should also cover claims made by participants in your event, such as a triathlon, in case their bike gets damaged or stolen from your transition zone.
It's essential to write a Risk Assessment for your races to understand everything that you can't mitigate entirely. These residual risks you need to cover by insurance.
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Cancellation and Postponement

Cancellation and Postponement can be a major concern for running event organizers. If you have to cancel or postpone your event due to unexpected circumstances, you'll want to make sure your insurance policy covers these situations.
Check if your policy covers cancellation or postponement due to natural disasters, political unrest, or pandemics. These events can be unpredictable and costly, so it's essential to be prepared.
The policy will reimburse you for your gross revenue or expenses incurred, depending on your chosen policy. This can help you recoup some of the costs associated with cancelling or postponing your event.
If your event is hosted in a low-risk area, you might not need this kind of policy. But if you're planning an event in a high-risk area, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Here are some common reasons why events are cancelled or postponed:
- Weather conditions like storms or hurricanes;
- Natural disasters like earthquakes or wildfires;
- Acts of terrorism;
- Communicable disease – all we know about COVID;
Make sure to review your policy carefully to understand what's covered and what's not. This will help you make informed decisions and avoid any unexpected surprises.
Participant and Venue

When planning a running event, it's essential to consider the needs of both participants and the venue.
You'll want to check with your venue(s) to see if they have any specific requirements for insurance coverage, as some may require a minimum level of coverage.
Make sure to review the venue's requirements carefully, as failing to meet them could result in cancellation or rescheduling of the event.
Participant
Participant insurance is a great addition to the main liability insurance as it helps cover medical expenses that may occur if one of your participants suffers an accident at your event.
It covers all the participant's medical costs, which in turn reduces your risk of getting a claim in case of injury.
Having participant insurance can give you peace of mind knowing that you're protected in case of an accident.
Need Extra Participants?
You may need to consider extra participant liability if your event involves higher-than-average risk of injury. This could be the case for certain types of sporting events.

In such cases, it's a good idea to have participants sign liability release forms, where they acknowledge they participate at their own risk.
You can also list the circumstances in which your organization is not responsible for damage or injuries. This can provide an added layer of protection for your event.
Requiring participants to certify they're in good enough health to participate can also be beneficial. This can be done through confirmation at point of registration or a doctor's note, signature, or stamp.
Membership and Benefits
As a running event organizer, having the right insurance coverage is crucial to protect yourself and your participants. You can rely on organizations like the RRCA and Running USA to provide you with comprehensive insurance plans.
These organizations offer various membership categories that provide coverage against claims arising from incidents, accidents, or random acts of violence. Their policies also protect volunteers working on behalf of member organizations.

The RRCA's policy covers traditional road races, trail/ultra runs, cross country events, and track events, but excludes events with man-made obstacles, jumps, and throwing events. If you're hosting a wacky event, it's best to review the exclusions with the RRCA before insuring your event.
Here are some key benefits of joining these organizations:
- Fast and easy online application and payment process
- Electronic delivery of coverage documents, speeding up the permitting process
- Affordable policies due to collective buying power
Premium $220 (Nonprofit Organizations)
For nonprofit organizations, the RRCA offers a premium membership option for $220. This premium membership includes Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance, which provides a safety net for officers and directors in case of errors in judgment or challenged matters of policy.
D&O coverage protects against specific situations, such as claims of discrimination, violations of constitutional rights, age or disability discrimination, and decisions made by race directors that result in monetary loss to runners.
Some examples of situations that D&O coverage can help protect against include:
- A claim of discrimination against a club as a result of barring a runner from participating in an event.
- A violation of someone's constitutional rights as a result of policy or procedure taken by a member club.
- An occurrence of age or disability discrimination.
- A decision by a race director to cancel a race, resulting in a monetary loss to a runner.
Nonprofit RRCA members are required to carry D&O insurance, but if a member already holds a D&O policy with another insurance provider, the $220 fee can be refunded by providing a copy of the insurance certificate to the RRCA.
For All Memberships

As a member of a running organization, you're likely to have access to various benefits that can help protect you and your events. For all membership categories, the policy covers claims arising from incidents, accidents, or random acts of violence that occur and affect participants. This means you're shielded from potential lawsuits or financial losses.
The policy also protects the organization and its members against spectator claims, as long as the claim doesn't involve an excluded condition. If a spectator is injured, the accident medical coverage may cover for a claim.
Volunteers working on behalf of the organization are included in the coverage. For example, if a volunteer is named in a liability suit while working a race, the insurance would protect the volunteer. If a volunteer is injured, the accident medical coverage may cover for a claim.
Here are some examples of covered events:
- Traditional road races
- Trail/ultra runs without man-made obstacles
- Cross country events following USATF/World Athletics course guidelines
- Track events excluding jumps and throwing events (steeple events are excluded)
- Traditional road races with runners in costume
However, some events are excluded from coverage, such as:
- Soap or bubble runs with a man-made slippery course
- Events that throw/launch Holi powder (colored powder)
If you're unsure about a specific event format, it's best to review the exclusions or ask the organization for clarification before insuring the event.
Where to Buy

So you're looking for running event insurance? To get started, you can check out USATF, which is a common way to get insurance for your event. Their sanctioned events are covered by $3,000,000 of general liability insurance.
If you're part of the Road Runners Club of America, you can also get insurance through them. Just visit their site to learn more about their insurance offerings.
You can also buy insurance from other companies, but be sure to do your research and read reviews from real clients to ensure their service is reliable.
Here are some organizations to consider:
- USA Track & Field (USATF)
- RRCA (Road Runners Club of America)
Cyber
Cyber insurance is a must-have for event organizers, as it provides technical and legal protection in case of a data incident or hack.
Collecting entries and payments online and processing results electronically increases the risk of cybercrime and GDPR breaches. This is a common practice for event organizers.
Cyber insurance can help mitigate these risks, but it's essential to read all the terms of each policy document carefully.
There is no concrete answer to the question, "how much is event insurance?" because different companies offer event insurance with varying policy names and structures.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need insurance to host a 5k?
To host a 5k, you may need liability insurance to obtain event permits, which protects you from lawsuits filed by third parties. Check local regulations to confirm insurance requirements for your event.
Sources
- https://www.rrca.org/services/rrca-insurance-services/
- https://info.runsignup.com/2024/02/22/raceinsure2024/
- https://runzy.com/blog/running-event-insurance-what-you-should-know/
- https://raceid.com/organizer/how-to-start-a-race/things-to-consider-when-buying-race-insurance/
- https://www.runningusa.org/membership/event-insurance/
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