Insure your amateur athletes properly!
Suva often pays for leisure accidents that are actually occupational accidents. This is because as soon as an athlete receives a salary from the club, the club would be responsible for accident insurance. So far, however, few clubs have taken out such insurance.
There are professional athletes who can barely live on their wages. In contrast, there are amateur athletes who earn a lot of money. Often, wages are settled through expenses and other compensation, usually without contracts. However, sports clubs that pay their players wages, expenses or bonuses are considered employers. In Switzerland, employers must compulsorily insure their employees against Accident insure and settle AHV contributions.
So if an amateur soccer player, who receives substantial compensation from the club, breaks his leg, this is considered an occupational accident and cannot be reported to Suva as a leisure accident. So far, however, very few clubs insure their athletes against accidents.
Clarify your own insurance situation
In the meantime, however, all sports clubs have been informed about their obligation to take out accident insurance. Because in the fall of 2015, the Substitute insurance UVG called on all clubs by letter to regulate their own insurance situation. Anyone who pays wages must take out accident insurance. The insurer can be freely chosen. If there is any uncertainty as to whether the compensation paid is to be classified as a salary, this must be discussed with the relevant compensation office.
Suva clarifies sports accidents in more detail
Suva's claims specialists believe that many sports accidents are misreported. What looks like a recreational accident is actually an occupational accident. Therefore, in the future Suva will Clarify sports accidents more precisely. In the event of an accident, the situation of the injured person and his club will be examined. If the injured person receives compensation from the club, which is to be regarded as a salary, Suva is not liable to pay benefits. The focus is on those sports in which compensation is often paid. These include football, handball and ice hockey.
Text: Regula Müller, SUVA
