Programs

Who is eligible / What is covered?

Hockey Canada and each of the Branches of which hockey Canada is comprised is specifically named as an insured, as well as all sub-associations, leagues and teams which form a part of Hockey Canada. Coverage includes any officer, director, employee, coach, volunteer worker, instructor, referee, safety person, or member of a committee while acting within the scope of his/her duties. It includes members of teams, leagues, Branch teams, zone/division teams, national teams or international teams provided all are registered with or affiliated with Hockey Canada. It includes any sponsor or any team of Hockey Canada but only with respect to his, her or their liability as such; and it includes any owner of any insured team.

NOTE: A “volunteer” is a non-paid person donating his or her time and who is assigned specific duties and for whom a premium has been paid.

The premium will have been submitted by the local MHA, team or league on behalf of all its members. It includes a formula that incorporates the “volunteer” member fee into the overall fee paid on behalf of its player participants. 

Each HNO member for whom a premium has been paid is entitled to the following coverage under the Hockey Canada National Insurance Program:

• Comprehensive General Liability

• Accidental Death and Dismemberment

• Major Medical and Dental Coverage

• Sexual Misconduct Liability Insurance

• Directors and Officers Liability Insurance

For more detailed information on this member benefit and its coverage, please continue to the Insurance Programs section and/or refer to the Hockey Canada Safety Requires Teamwork booklet.

When are you covered?

You are covered: 

• During Hockey Canada/HNO sanctioned events (league games, tournaments, practices, training camps, and sanctioned fundraisers) involving and/or when playing other member teams only.

• During transportation directly to and from the arena or venue for sanctioned events.

• In accommodations while billeted or at a hotel during Hockey Canada/HNO sanctioned hockey activity.

USA Travel

Teams will only be permitted to enter USA Hockey sanctioned tournaments or play USA Hockey member teams in exhibition games. 

Teams need to be aware that they should consider the option of purchasing additional Health Insurance when leaving the country. Provincial Health Care Plans will cover out of province medical expenses and Hockey Canada insurance has specific limits that apply once the primary insurance coverage has been exhausted, however these policies may not be sufficient if an injury occurs in the USA or abroad.

Always ask the travel insurance company you are dealing with if they cover injuries that occur while playing sports.

Sanctioned Events

Sanctioned events take place within clearly defined parameters set out by your Branch and its constituents. These can include association, team and league schedule practices, games, evaluations/tryouts and related activities. These activities, which would qualify as “normal” hockey program delivery, all fall within the scope of regular day to day operations of a minor hockey association, team and league, and do not require specific sanctioning authority. However, program extensions such as dry land training camps, exhibition games and tournaments, all require separate specific sanctioning.

It is also understood that in the course of annual programming many team, association, and league activities can fall outside what is considered to be normal programming. These kinds of activities usually occur away from the arena venue and in the surrounding community where opportunities exist to enhance the programs offered to our teams. It is important that you check with your Branch or Minor Hockey Association if planning an event outside of normal programming such as fundraising and team social events.

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE GENERAL LIABILITY
 

The liability coverage is designed to cover Hockey Canada members for their on and off-ice activities while participating in Hockey Canada Sanctioned hockey events. This coverage responds on behalf of an individual who has paid a premium or had a premium paid on their behalf, and who is named as a defendant in a lawsuit alleging that, that individual was negligent doing whatever it was they were alleged to have done or did not do what they should.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT

AD&D insurance covers very serious, permanent injuries that might occur while participating in a Hockey Canada/Branch sanctioned activity. This coverage is in addition to any other valid and collectable insurance policy. There are two classes of eligibility for this insurance policy: 

- Class 1 – All members of registered teams including coaches, trainers, safety people and assistants, referees, league/association executives, Hockey Canada personnel under the age of 70.

- Class 2 – All volunteer members of hockey Canada under the age of 80.

MAJOR MEDICAL & DENTAL COVERAGE
 

This insurance augments Provincial, Medical and Hospital plans. It covers players, coaches, trainers/safety people, referees, and other designated volunteers against accidents that occur during participation in a Hockey Canada/Branch sanctioned activity. This plan is designed to provide coverage for those who might otherwise not be covered by any other group health insurance plan. It can also serve as a supplement to other similar coverage an individual or family may hold, to achieve maximum allowable coverage. It is not applicable as an addition when another plan’s coverage meets or exceeds the allowable amount.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT LIABILITY INSURANCE
 

For further information on Sexual Misconduct Liability Insurance please contact the HNO office.

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS LIABILITY
 

Directors and Officers Liability relates to the legal obligation to manage the affairs of the association with honesty, loyalty, care, skill, in good faith and with due diligence. The directors and officers of an organization are those considered the most responsible and therefore the most potentially liable for any wrongdoing or harm that comes about in that organization’s activities. As a director you may be personally liable for such things as: employee discrimination, wrongful dismissal, activities of volunteers and/or employees, enforcement of Association or government regulations, providing advice to members, unpaid wages, uncollected withholding taxes.

This member benefit is designed to protect your association executive and directors against claims for damages and/or liability while carrying out association business and acting within the scope of their designated responsibilities as outlined in each association’s constitution, bylaws, and regulations as they currently exist and are registered with the Societies Act for the current operating year. 

Hockey Canada’s D&O Insurance Program covers the directors, officers, staff members, employees, and volunteers of all Minor Hockey Associations, Junior Teams, Branches, and Major Junior Hockey Teams and Leagues for their exposure to legal action(s) and other claims arising from alleged wrongful acts which they are believed to have committed while acting in their hockey related capacities.

When coverage applies, the policy will provide for an insured’s defence against the unreported claim. If an insured is found liable for damages sustained by a claimant or plaintiff, coverage is provided for such damages subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable policy.

In the event that a director or officer should receive an action or demand letter against him/her the Branch Office must be advised immediately so that proper steps can be taken to investigate and defend the case.

WEEKLY INDEMNITY INSURANCE PROGRAM
 

This benefit, also known as the Income Replacement Program, is designed specifically for team officials and on-ice officials to provide an income supplement to help compensate for wage loss due to injuries sustained while participating in games, practices, and related activities sanctioned by HNO. You are eligible to participate in this Plan if you are a Coach, Assistant Coach, Accredited Trainer or Referee of Hockey Canada. Please contact the HNO office for further information.

OTHER OPTIONAL PROGRAMS
 

Property Insurance: Provides coverage against “All Risks” of direct physical damage to the Minor Hockey Association’s property. This would include office furniture, equipment, sound equipment, video equipment or any other property belonging to the Association/Team/League. Also included, is coverage for equipment etc. that has been temporarily removed from the arena/office by a responsible person of the Association/Team/League to work on Association/Team/League business. 

Dishonesty Insurance: Provides coverage for Associations/Teams/Leagues who may fall victim to their funds being stolen by an employee or volunteer, who is part of the organization and who may have access to the Organization’s funds. It covers the Association/Team/League against the fraudulent use of funds by a member of the Organization.

Money and Securities (Broad Form): Associations/Teams/Leagues have access to moneys collected from members or through fundraising events. This money can be insured against a hold-up or a break-in a t the home of the custodian. This coverage can be very important, as it is not always possible to make bank deposits immediately following a fundraiser and such a loss could have a serious effect on the Organization’s operations. This form would also provide coverage against money and securities on a 24-hour basis against the perils of theft, burglary, hold-up and fire.

Electronic Data Processing: This coverage applies to your computer, software and data and includes the extra expenses to re-constitute lost information as a result of a covered loss. The coverage has been extended to cover the equipment while temporarily removed from the arena/office by a responsible person of the Association/Team/League to work on the Organization’s business.

Legal Expense Insurance: Provides your Association/Team/League financial assistance to find an amivable or judicial solution to legal dispute. Covers only legal/judicial fees not damages. Also provides telephone legal assistance.