Important Update – Player’s Liability Insurance

The note below was received from Golf Australia yesterday and was written by Damien de Bohun, GM – Club, Facilities and Places to Play. Members are strongly encouraged to review the note and read the Further Information & FAQs.

In December 2024, Golf Australia announced amendments to the Player Liability Insurance Policy which came into effect for all claims submitted from 1 March 2025.

These changes were implemented to preserve the long-term viability of the policy and protect Golf Australia’s primary objective to provide coverage to affiliated golf club members in the event of causing serious injury to a third party as per the original intent of the policy.

During the consultation phase before these changes came into effect, there was broad support for the introduction of specific policy exclusions and an excess for property damage claims where the player was found to be negligent, with a clear intent to reduce the high frequency of claims. This intent was predominantly focused at targeting higher risk clubs with known boundary issues and a high level of exposure impacting the viability of the policy, and not impact the broader industry to the extent that it has.

Since the implementation of these changes, we have consulted with industry stakeholders to understand the process which both members and clubs have experienced and we acknowledge the frustrations that have arisen from the application of these measures.

As a result, we have been working directly with the insurer to find an amenable solution, which addresses the original intent of the changes and reduces the friction caused. The following clarifies the changes agreed and outlines how the policy will work in practice effective immediately;

• Personal Injury Claims – Typically, this is where an affiliated golf club member hits a golf ball that causes injury to another person. For these claims, no excess applies.
• Property Damage Claims – Typically, this is where an affiliated golf club member hits a golf ball that causes damage to a neighbouring property or motor vehicle.  For these claims, a $1,000 excess applies. (Refer below for further clarification on the application of the excess)
• Exclusions – The policy excludes any claim in connection with third party property damage to Golf Carts and Personal Electronic Devices. Typically, this is where an affiliated golf club member collides into another golf cart or causes damage to another person’s Electronic Device.  Please note, if a member collides into a person causing personal injury or other property while in a golf cart (eg. Car), then this would be covered.

Excess Clarification 

Previous communication which was issued and subsequently updated on the Golf Australia website, indicated that no excess would be payable where an affiliated golf club member is found to have followed all expected duty of care, local rules and the Rules of Golf.

This scenario implied that the claim would still be settled with no excess, however in practice the policy did not respond to these claims as liability of the member had not been established, and the Insurer chose to defend the member and not settle the claim.

For the avoidance of doubt, a $1,000 excess applies to all property damage claims, and will be handled in the following manner by Sportscover;

• Under Excess claims will not be assessed and reverted back to the club & insured member to settle directly with the third party.
• Over Excess claims will be assessed and Sportscover will settle the amount over $1,000 directly to the third party without requiring upfront payment of the excess by the member to assess the claim. If the third party requires settlement of the full demand, the Club or member will be responsible for the Excess amount directly to the 3rd party.

Claims Handling Clarification 

The following amendments will be made to the claims handling process to minimise the impacts on both members and clubs when submitting a claim under the policy;

• Claims Investigation – The level of investigation completed by the insurer on every claim submitted from March 1 was significantly increased, in order to determine if the member was negligent in their actions.This will now be reduced, with detailed investigations only completed as required, minimising the back and forth interactions between the insurer and the member or club.
• High Frequency Clubs – In line with the intent of the changes to reduce the frequency of property damage claims, Golf Australia will be conducting discussions with all clubs identified in this segment to support any required enhancements to risk mitigation practices.
• Impacted Claims – Given this amendment to the application of the claims handling approach, any claim that was submitted from 1 March 2025, and was not settled due to the Insurer electing to defend the Member where liability had not been established, may be re-submitted to Sportscover to be assessed under the above terms. For any impacted claims, please email the case number or original claim form directly to info@sportscover.com.au.

Policy Period

Golf Australia takes out the Player Liability policy for the Financial Year period of July 1 to June 30. Due to the effect that the changes have had on our clubs and members, the current policy with Sportscover has only been extended for a 3 month period to September 30, 2025, which will be noted on the Certificate of Currency when available on the Golf Australia website.

During this extension period, Golf Australia is conducting an insurance market due diligence process to review the requirements for our Underwriter and Claims Management partner, with the aim of enhancing the claims experience for any member requiring coverage under the policy. Further updates will be provided prior to the conclusion of the current policy extension.

We thank you for your constructive feedback during this critical period to ensure Golf Australia can maintain coverage for all affiliated golf club Members to best protect them.

Further information on the Players Liability Policy including documentation and frequently asked questions is available below.

Damien de Bohun
GM – Club, Facilities and Places to Play
Golf Australia