Following a life-threatening, freak accident to a local league footballer, there has been considerable debate (and concern) regarding the level of insurance cover/protection provided to players and referees by the FAW/Comet policy, which is provided free to all registered players, officials etc.

I am not an insurance expert, but I have reviewed leaflets describing the cover provided by three policies that are available to referees; the Referees Association of Wales (RAW) cover available to full Referees' Society members, the English Referees' Association (RA) equivalent and, of course, the FAW/Comet policy.

The source documents I used are also attached for readers' information and my understanding of them is summarised below.

Conclusion

All three policies are standard "off the peg" policies which do not require any form of medical assessment before they can be taken out. As a result, all have their merits and also their failings. It is important for each individual to consider their own personal circumstances and decide which (if any) of these policies meet their needs. If your personal circumstances mean that more bespoke cover is required, then you should speak to a suitable qualified Financial Adviser who can guide you through the various options available.