NCAA Insurance and the Transfer Portal: What You Must Know

The NCAA transfer portal has reshaped college athletics, creating a fast-paced environment where student-athletes move between programs like free agents. While much of the conversation focuses on recruiting battles, NIL deals, and roster changes, one overlooked aspect is NCAA Insurance—specifically, how the transfer portal affects NCAA PEI (Post Eligibility Insurance) and overall student-athlete health coverage.

If you’re a college athletic trainer juggling medical expenses, insurance concerns, and all the admin work that comes with the job, you need to know how transfers can affect coverage.

Let’s break down what’s happening, what’s at risk, and how you can protect your student-athletes and your program.

How the Transfer Portal Changed Everything

Before the NCAA introduced its one-time transfer exception in 2021, transferring student-athletes had to sit out a year before playing for their new school—unless they received a waiver. Now, student-athletes can transfer once with immediate eligibility, leading to a surge in movement across programs. Graduate transfers and special circumstance waivers (like those used by quarterback JT Daniels, who played at four different schools) have made the system even more unpredictable.

For college athletic programs, this revolving door brings logistical challenges, from roster management to insurance policies. Many college student-athletes don’t realize that transferring can complicate their NCAA student-athlete health insurance coverage, potentially leaving them vulnerable during the transition.

The Insurance Gaps Created by Transfers

Every NCAA school must provide health insurance for student-athletes, covering injuries that happen during competition and training. But here’s the catch—policies aren’t the same across the board, and things can get messy when a student-athlete transfers mid-season or during the offseason. Here’s where things get tricky:

1. Coverage During the Transition Period: If a student-athlete leaves a program but doesn’t immediately enroll at their next school, they may experience a lapse in coverage, especially if they aren’t on a new roster yet.
2. Pre-Existing Injury Considerations: Some schools are wary of taking in transfers with a history of injuries. If a student-athlete is already dealing with an injury when they switch programs, their new school’s insurance might not cover all the treatments they still need.
3. Post Eligibility Insurance: PEI provides high-value protection for elite student-athletes with pro potential. Policies are usually school-sponsored, but transferring can create questions about continued eligibility, policy renewals, and premium payments.
4. Medical Expense Responsibilities: Athletic trainers often deal with overwhelming paperwork when student-athletes transfer. Figuring out what a previous school’s insurance covers and what the new program will accept can be frustrating and time-consuming.

Why PEI Insurance Matters More Than Ever

With the transfer portal turning college athletics into a high-stakes game of musical chairs, NCAA PEI insurance is becoming even more vital. Student-athletes banking on professional careers need uninterrupted coverage, especially if they suffer injuries that affect their earning potential. However, PEI policies often don’t automatically transfer from school to school, meaning student-athletes must proactively maintain coverage during transitions.

The problem? Many student-athletes (and even some administrators) don’t realize this until it’s too late.

How Athletic Trainers Can Help Manage Insurance Risks

Athletic trainers are the driving force behind collegiate sports, ensuring student-athletes stay healthy and at the top of their game. You’re responsible for keeping student-athletes healthy, yet you’re also expected to handle medical expenses and insurance logistics—areas that might not be in your wheelhouse. So, what can you do to stay ahead of the game?

• Educate Student-Athletes on Insurance Implications: Ensure student-athletes understand that their NCAA insurance situation may change if they transfer. Encourage them to ask the right questions before making a move.

• Work With Compliance Officers: Collaborate with your compliance team to ensure all insurance coverage details are accounted for before a student-athlete transfers in or out.

• Partner With an Insurance Expert: Instead of getting buried in policy documents, rely on professionals specializing in collegiate insurance solutions. They can help navigate coverage gaps, pre-existing conditions, and PEI policy concerns.

• Push for Institutional Policy Updates: Some schools have taken steps to provide continuity in NCAA health insurance coverage during transfers. If your program hasn’t, now is the time to advocate for better protections.

Protect Your Student-Athletes With the Right Insurance

The NCAA transfer portal isn’t just changing rosters—it’s creating insurance challenges that athletic trainers are left to deal with. With student-athletes moving more than ever, NCAA insurance policies must keep up, ensuring proper coverage for injuries, ongoing medical expenses, and career-threatening conditions.

If you’re an athletic trainer looking for expert guidance on protecting your student-athletes and your program, A-G Specialty Insurance can help. Don’t let the transfer portal shuffle leave your team unprotected—contact us for questions about our program or submit a claim.