Navigating State Combative Sports Insurance Requirements
If you are a boxing, MMA, kickboxing, or wrestling promoter, you know that one of the most important factors in holding a successful event is ensuring that you are in compliance with all insurance requirements. Nevertheless, with different state requirements and supplementary insurance requirements for governing bodies, it can be confusing to keep track of everything. In this article, we’ll go through the Association of Boxing Commissions’ recommendations, state-by-state requirements, and everything in between to help you navigate insurance for your next combative sports event with ease.
First and foremost, the Association of Boxing Commissions recommends each boxer is covered by health insurance that provides medical coverage for any injuries sustained during the event. They suggest that the minimum and recommended amounts of health and accidental death benefit coverage per boxer are $10,000 and up to $100,000. A certificate of health insurance must be provided to the supervising commission prior to the match.
Moving on to state requirements, in California, all promoters need to purchase liability insurance to hold an event. Both participants and licensees must produce evidence of comprehensive general liability insurance coverage exceeding certain limits established by the commission.
Florida is an example of a state that specifies coverage amounts per occurrence, where the maximum amount of coverage required for medical expenses resulting from injuries sustained during any bout is $10,000 per boxer. (UPDATE 2023: The State of Florida now holds the Promoter responsible for any medical expenses incurred beyond the coverage purchased for the event, therefore we are recommending events in Florida to carry a minimum of $20,000 medical expense coverage for any events taking place in the State of Florida)
It is important to note that in addition to state requirements, certain governing bodies have supplementary insurance requirements. For example, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), one of the most well-known governing bodies in MMA, requires every fighter to obtain coverage. In their case, a fighter must show proof of insurance with at least $50,000 of coverage per injury incurred during injury in the fight. The World Boxing Council also requires specific insurance coverage in their regulations. In fact, the WBC requires a minimum insurance limit of $800,000 for each fight they supervise.
Organizing a combative sports event is not without its challenges, but securing the right insurance coverage shouldn't be one of them. We have outlined some of the minimum coverage amounts required by certain states, as well as the recommendations of the Association of Boxing Commissions and various governing bodies in the industry. Be sure to check with your state’s commission as well as the governing body with which you work to confirm the coverage requirements unique to your event. With the right preparation, you can ensure the safety of your participants and get back to focusing on delivering a successful event.