What Contact Sport SRS+ Is

Contact Sport SRS+ is a supplemental insurance product designed for people who play contact sports and want coverage for injuries that standard health insurance may not fully cover or may exclude outright. It sits between your primary health plan and out-of-pocket costs, paying toward medical bills, physical therapy, and sometimes lost income when a contact sport injury sidelines you.

The product is sold by individual insurers, not through government programs, so the exact coverage, cost, and claim process depend entirely on which company you buy from. Unlike your regular health insurance, SRS+ policies are built specifically around the injury patterns that come with sports like football, rugby, hockey, boxing, and martial arts — not general medical needs.

You buy it directly from the insurer or through a broker, usually on an annual basis. Coverage typically begins after a waiting period (often 14 to 30 days) and excludes injuries that happened before you signed up.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact Sport SRS+ is a voluntary insurance product sold by private companies, not a government benefit, and covers injuries specific to contact sports that your regular health plan may not.
  • Coverage and cost vary widely by insurer, so you need to compare specific policies to understand what injuries are covered, what the deductible is, and what the monthly or annual premium costs.
  • Most policies have a waiting period before coverage begins and exclude pre-existing injuries, so read the exclusions section carefully before buying.
  • Claims are filed directly with the insurer, usually by submitting medical records and proof that the injury happened during a covered sport.
  • This product works alongside your regular health insurance, not instead of it, and typically covers gaps like high deductibles or therapies your main plan limits.

How Coverage Works and What Gets Paid

Contact Sport SRS+ policies pay toward specific costs when you suffer an injury during a covered sport. The most common covered expenses are emergency room visits, imaging (X-rays, MRI), surgery, hospital stays, and physical therapy sessions. Some policies also cover lost wages if the injury keeps you from work for a set number of days.

The way the payment works depends on the policy structure. Some policies pay a fixed amount per injury type (for example, $500 for a concussion, $2,000 for a fracture). Others work like traditional insurance: you pay a deductible, then the policy covers a percentage of the remaining bill up to a maximum annual payout. A few policies reimburse you directly after you submit receipts and medical records.

What is not covered is just as important. Pre-existing injuries, injuries that happen during training outside of sanctioned games or matches, and injuries from sports not listed in your policy are typically excluded. Some policies also exclude certain high-risk activities like fighting or extreme stunts, even within a covered sport.

Comparing Policies and Understanding the Cost

Premium costs for Contact Sport SRS+ range widely — from roughly $10 to $50 per month depending on your age, the sports you play, and how much coverage you choose. A younger athlete playing one sport will pay less than someone older playing multiple contact sports or choosing a higher maximum payout.

When comparing policies, look at four things: the deductible (how much you pay before the policy kicks in), the maximum annual payout (the most the policy will pay in a single year), the waiting period (how long after purchase before coverage starts), and the list of covered sports. A policy with a $100 deductible and a $10,000 annual maximum is very different from one with a $500 deductible and a $50,000 maximum, and the premium will reflect that difference.

Some insurers offer discounts if you play lower-risk sports, have a clean injury history, or buy coverage for multiple family members. Ask about these when getting a quote. Also ask whether the policy covers injuries from practice or only from games — this varies significantly and affects the real value of the coverage.

The Claims Process and Timeline

When you suffer an injury, the first step is to report it to the insurer within the timeframe stated in your policy — usually within 30 days. You will need to provide your policy number, a description of how the injury happened, and the date it occurred. Most insurers have a claims form on their website or will send one by email.

Next, you submit medical documentation: the emergency room report, imaging results, surgery notes, or physical therapy records that show the injury and its treatment. The insurer will review these documents to confirm the injury falls under your coverage and was sustained during a covered activity.

Processing typically takes two to four weeks. The insurer will either approve the claim and send payment (either to you or directly to the medical provider, depending on the policy), or deny it with an explanation. If denied, you can usually request a review by providing additional documentation or clarification.

How Contact Sport SRS+ Works With Your Regular Health Insurance

Contact Sport SRS+ is supplemental coverage, meaning it works alongside your primary health insurance, not instead of it. Your regular health plan pays first, then Contact Sport SRS+ fills in gaps — typically your deductible, copays, or costs your main plan doesn't cover.

This matters because it affects how much you actually receive. If your health insurance covers 80% of a $5,000 surgery and you have a $1,000 deductible, you owe $1,000 plus 20% of the remaining $4,000 ($800), totaling $1,800. Contact Sport SRS+ might then reimburse you for part or all of that $1,800, depending on your policy limits.

Some policies coordinate benefits explicitly — meaning the insurer knows about your primary coverage and calculates payouts accordingly. Others do not, so you may need to submit claims to both insurers separately. Always ask your Contact Sport SRS+ insurer how they handle coordination with other insurance before you buy.

Who Should Consider This Coverage

Contact Sport SRS+ makes the most sense if you play contact sports regularly and either have a high-deductible health plan, limited coverage for sports injuries, or want protection against catastrophic injury costs. If you play casually or have comprehensive health insurance with a low deductible, the premium may not be worth the benefit.

Athletes under age 30 playing organized sports (school teams, leagues, clubs) typically see the best value because they have lower premiums and higher injury risk. Older recreational athletes or those playing lower-contact sports may find the premium cost outweighs the likelihood of needing it.

If you have already had a serious injury in the sport you play, check the policy's pre-existing injury exclusion carefully. Many policies will not cover a recurrence of an injury that happened before you bought the policy, even if it is years old.

Where to Buy and What to Ask Before Purchasing

Contact Sport SRS+ policies are sold directly by insurance companies, through sports-specific brokers, and sometimes through team or league partnerships. Start by searching for "contact sport insurance" or "sports injury insurance" along with your state name to find local and national options.

Before you buy, ask the insurer or broker these questions: What sports are covered? What is the waiting period? What injuries are excluded? How do you file a claim and how long does it take? Does the policy cover practice injuries or only game injuries? How does it coordinate with my health insurance? What is the cancellation policy if I want to stop coverage mid-year?

Read the full policy document, not just the summary. The exclusions section is where the real limits live, and that is where most claim denials originate. If something is unclear, email the insurer and ask for clarification in writing — do not rely on a verbal explanation from a sales representative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Contact Sport SRS+ cover injuries that happen during practice?

It depends on the specific policy. Some cover only game or match injuries, while others cover practice as well. This is a major difference in value, so confirm it in writing before you buy. If you play a sport where practice injuries are common, make sure your policy explicitly includes practice coverage.

What happens if I get injured before the waiting period ends?

Most policies will not pay for injuries that occur during the waiting period — typically 14 to 30 days after you purchase coverage. If you are injured during this time, the claim will be denied. This is why you should buy coverage before the season starts, not after you are already playing.

Can I use Contact Sport SRS+ if I do not have regular health insurance?

Technically yes, but it is not designed to replace health insurance. Contact Sport SRS+ covers specific sports injuries, not routine medical care. If you do not have primary health coverage, you should get it first — Contact Sport SRS+ is meant to supplement, not substitute.

Will my premium go up if I file a claim?

This varies by insurer. Some treat sports injury claims like any other insurance claim and may raise your premium at renewal. Others do not penalize claims because they expect athletes to get injured. Ask the insurer about their claims history policy before you buy.

What if the insurer denies my claim?

You can request a formal review by submitting additional medical documentation or a written explanation of why you believe the injury should be covered. If the insurer still denies it, you may be able to file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner, though this process is slow and does not may provide payment.