For athletes whose bodies are their careers, one injury can change everything.
30% of athletes experience a serious injury every year that impacts competition.
40% of professionals in sports have no long-term disability coverage.
Over 50% of athletic injuries occur off the field or outside competition, where league or employer insurance often does not apply.
Nearly 25% of prospect athletes suffer career-ending injuries before ever turning professional.
The average career recovery window is 2–5 years, leaving athletes financially vulnerable.
Traditional insurance often classifies athletes as “uninsurable” or applies strict exclusions. League or employer-provided coverage is usually limited, and it rarely accounts for injuries sustained off the field, during training, or in personal activities. For high-earning professionals, income caps leave them significantly underinsured.
Industry Outlook
Why is Coverage Important?
Your talent and physical ability are your greatest assets. Without proper coverage, an unexpected injury could derail your career, financial future, and family stability. Insurance provides the safety net needed to protect your lifestyle and career trajectory.
How WAIN Helps
Specialized coverage for athletes at every level — from student-athletes and semi-pros to professionals.
High-limit income protection designed to replace lost earnings.
Supplemental coverage that fills the gaps left by league or employer benefits.
Access to specialty carriers who understand the unique risks of athletics.
An AI-powered process that streamlines applications and minimizes underwriting delays.
Policies for Athletes
Draft Protection
Young athletes have pursued lifelong commitments to reach the big leagues in their respective sports. Before a player is able to sign a professional contract they are at risk of losing everything they have worked to achieve. Should an athlete become disabled due to an injury or a sickness, it is unlikely that they will be drafted or their draft value may decrease which may mean a difference of millions of dollars.
Temporary Disability Protection
An athlete’s body is his/her instrument in making a living. Physical performance and well-being are key factors in a professional athlete’s economic survival. Temporary total disability coverage helps mitigate the daily risk to one’s body.
Loss of Value
Not all injuries or sicknesses cause career ending disabilities, but some may certainly cause a diminishment of physical ability. An athlete may insure skill level with the “loss of value” coverage. If a player, projected to be a first round draft pick, suffers a significant injury before the draft and isn’t selected until the third round, the athlete stands to lose a sizable contract. This type of coverage may also be used by professionals prior to re-signing contracts.
Contract Guarantee
Professional football contracts provide the least amount of protection for a player. If a player is not performing as hoped, the team can waive the player at any time, and make much of the multi-million dollar contract worthless. Similarly, if an athlete is disabled and unable to make it through the rigorous training camps, they may also be waived. Contract Guarantee coverage will pay the remaining balance of the contract to the player if waived.
“As someone who has experienced firsthand the challenges of being classified as high-risk, I built WAIN to make sure athletes aren’t left exposed when their careers are on the line.”
-Darwin Pichardo, Broker/Founder