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If you have ever lead a 4-H group, coached a softball team or sponsored an agritainment event at the farm, you know that accidents happen. The medical costs associated with treating a broken arm or sprained ankle can add up very quickly. While many children are covered under their parents’ health insurance, others are not. What if there is no accidental health coverage for the participant? Is the sponsoring organization financially prepared to cover these medical expenses?

"GrouProtector is Nationwide’s solution to cover these risks," said Dan Rapp, OFBF director of member services. "This product provides accidental medical and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage for groups and events."

Available as either primary or excess coverage, GrouProtector policies cover participants and volunteers sanctioned by the sponsoring organization. Tom DeNoma, director of Nationwide’s Special Risks division explained: "Say you’re insuring your child’s soccer team . . . with GrouProtector, the players, coaches, managers and cheerleaders . . . they’re all covered under one policy. If an entire league purchases GrouProtector, coverage extends to league umpires, referees, official scorers and timers, and safety officers – anyone volunteering for the team, but not receiving compensation for their services."

Liability coverage, however, is not part of GrouProtector, and may need to be purchased separately. It’s important to talk with an agent about this.

More than 500 kinds of risks are eligible for GrouProtector coverage including:

• Agritainment events such as a hayride or corn maze
• 4-H clubs and youth groups
• Church groups and vacation Bible schools
• Amateur sport teams and leagues
• Commercial and in-home child care programs
• Recreational and vocational training programs
• Special events including county fairs
• Camps and conferences including retreats
• Volunteer Fire/EMT emergency groups

Covered activities include any sanctioned events such as clinics, fundraising activities, picnics and parades. Individuals are even covered as they travel directly to and from such activities. GrouProtector provides peace-of-mind to parents and volunteers by offering coverage when there might not be any.

"OFBF already has a special relationship with the folks who provide the GrouProtector product," said Rapp. "As a member of OFBF, GrouProtector provides each OFBF member, spouse and children with AD&D coverage for farm-related accidents."

GrouProtector is easy to purchase. Customized brochures include rates and benefits which make it easy to determine appropriate coverage. Individual names are not required, as 100 percent of eligible persons must be insured. Each person is protected as well as the group itself.

For more information, contact your local Nationwide agent or call 800-525-8669, option 5.