In an exciting collaboration between Minet Malawi, Britam, and The Daily Times - Malawi's leading newspaper - we are thrilled to introduce a groundbreaking initiative that will redefine your Wednesdays. Welcome to the Insurance Insights Column – a weekly rendezvous with the world of insurance and contemporary issues that matter. Every article aims to illuminate the intricate landscape of insurance products and relevant topics that impact us all. The articles are educative at all levels, catering to both practitioners and non-practitioners.
As published in The Daily Times (Malawi) on August 21st, 2024
Last weekend was a busy weekend for golfers. There were tournaments at Nchalo Golf Club in Chikwawa, Blantyre Sports Club in Blantyre, Lilongwe Golf Club in Lilongwe and Country Club in Limbe. Business captains and executives showcased their swings and putting skills.
Believe me, golf is an intriguing sport to play and watch. To play the game, you need sophiscated equipment and companionship. Yes, golf equipment is not cheap. No, it is not. For this reason, the sport is often dominated by affluent individuals.
As a golfer, one is exposed to a horde of risks. If one is not careful, each and every hit that one takes can bring one financial ruin. It is worthwhile to purchase golf insurance to cover oneself against uncertainties that range from breakage of iron to bodily injury to legal suits.
Golfers’ insurance policy is a package policy. Several covers, each protecting a golfer against dissimilar risks, are put together in one policy for a golfer’s convenience.
The first section provides cover to golf equipment, namely, golf clubs, caddie cars and golf bags. Cover includes accidental breakage of the equipment whilst a golfer is actually in course of play or practicing. This is an ‘all risks’ cover - meaning a golfer is indemnified against all perils expect those mentioned as excluded in a policy document. To avoid being ambiguous, golfers’ insurers define ‘breakage’ as being fracture of the shaft or head of the iron or club.
For golfers who travel together with their equipment, all is not lost. If a golfer is in transit to or from the golf course or in a hotel or private residence, other than their usual residence, cover is available under the policy from loss or damage emanating from fire, housebreaking, larceny or theft in addition to accidental losses or damages as alluded to earlier.
The second section deals with personal effects. Personal effects include cell phones - for executives, I prefer referring to the gadgets as smart phones - spectacles, clothes, hats, shoes and any other item that a golfer usually carries along for their comfort. For instance: if a golfer loses footing and breaks their spectacles, they can successfully claim under the personal effects section of the policy.
Check in all tournaments, sponsors usually give a golfer who hit the ball the longest. Golfers refer to this competition category as ‘longest drive.’ This is one of the areas where risk exposure is high. Never mind the prizes that come with the category. Chances are that the ball will go out of bounds, off the golf-course and hit bystanders or passers-by or even damaging other people’s property. This is a pure liability case. The injured party can sue the golfer.
If you are one of the golfers who are renowned for such long drives, let you heart be troubled not. All is not lost for you. Buy golfers insurance. Golfers’ policy provides for this eventuality under the public liability section. In the event that you become legally liable to pay compensation in respect of accidental bodily injury to third parties or their property while and as a consequence of playing or practicing golf on a recognized golf-course, your insurer pays up. This part of the policy also takes care of all costs and expenses of litigation in defense of claims lodged against you.
The other equally important section of the policy deals with personal accidents. If during playing or practicing golf, a golfer sustains bodily injury caused solely by violent, accidental, external and visible means, the golfer’s insurer will pay for medical bills and the bodily injury itself.
Regrettably, for senior golfers who are over 75 years of age, cover is not available. This is because of their high propensity to accidents. You will agree with me that a person’s stability on the ground tends to weaken with age. Or does it not? Search me, if you can. The policy also excludes death loss or disablement consequent upon suicide whether felonious or not.
In the case that you hole out in one shot, your insurer pays you a stated sum of money as long as your hole-in-one is achieved during a competitive game like the ones that took place last weekend at Nchalo, Blantyre, Limbe and Lilongwe golf courses, respectively.
Views from the top are that golfers’ insurance policy is a must have for golfers. Be warned. What comes does not beat a drum. Talk to us. We are here to serve.
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