Better off than on - the importance of kit

Sport is a brilliant way to not only get into shape, but also to have fun and meet like-minded people; friendships forged through team sports can last a lifetime. In order to enjoy your sport to the maximum with minimum worries, it is essential to have a well-equipped kit bag, not only with protective sports equipment but also an appropriate insurance policy that can protect you and your bank account in the case of an accident.

Firstly however, possessing the gear to suit your sport will not only aid high level performance, but also reduce the chance of sustaining injury. Playing badminton with a poorly strung racquet and in worn-out shoes can be just as dangerous as playing hockey without a mouthguard. It is not uncommon for sports players to use equipment that is either inappropriate for the sport they’re playing, or simply does not fit correctly and this can prove dangerous. A helmet is an essential item of protective gear in many sports including horse-riding, biking, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, skating and baseball with softer helmets being more suitable for hockey, football and rugby among others. It is crucial to ensure that the helmet you choose to purchase is suitable for your sport and meets the necessary safety standards such as those set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Eye protection; mouthguards; wrist, knee and elbow guards; and pads for contact sports are other items of protective gear which are designed for a reason and have the ability to make a huge difference in the event of an accident. With so many products now on the market, both in shops and online, there is little excuse to play your sport ill-equipped!

Secondly, your kit bag should also contain an insurance policy to protect you. There is an inextricable link between playing sport and risk – although often low and not to be overly worried about, the very nature of sport involves physical risk which can also result in financial risk. Millions of sports related injuries occur worldwide, 2-3 million in the US alone, and therefore it is important to not be cavalier when it comes to choosing an insurance policy. SportsCover Direct covers 400 sports and prides itself on the specialist cover it can offer, setting it apart from other insurance providers. With 20 years of experience in the field, we know what a beneficial policy should provide from repatriation to medical expenses to legal bills. It is all too easy to adopt the optimistic ‘it will never happen to me’ mentality but this is could prove ruinous to both your physical and financial health!

Find out more about the sports we cover and get a quote here: https://www.sportscoverdirect.com/sports-accident-insurance/