Here’s what happens when sport meets insurance

Insurance may be the common thread across businesses and households, but sport is often what connects us on a human level. It cuts across language, culture and geography. It gets us moving, watching, shouting, celebrating. And, in its own way, it reminds us that insurance touches almost every part of life, often in ways we do not even realise.

But what happens when sport and insurance meet?

That is where iTOO comes in. Long-standing partners and friends of CN&CO, our relationship goes back many years, and it is always good to see the work they are doing. This year, they are also the contingency and cancellation insurance provider for the Comrades Marathon, one of the country’s most iconic sporting events. A big responsibility, and one that speaks to their expertise in this space.

With Comrades now just over two months away, the timing of their recent iTOOsday session felt spot on. These regular webinars are CPD-accredited and designed to keep brokers informed, sharp and up to speed with specialist areas of risk.

Hosted by Mamoeti Nosi, the latest session unpacked what she called the anatomy of a sports event. Because while sport may look effortless on the day, the reality behind the scenes is very different.

“Sporting events may look seamless,” she said, “but behind every start line or kick-off is a complex web of planning, logistics and risk.”

The stakes can be high

From global tournaments to local races, every event sits on a fine line between success and disruption. And the bigger the event, the higher the stakes.

“It is easy to think of insurance as admin,” Mamoeti explained, “but in this environment it is a strategic enabler. Without it, many events simply would not happen.”

She spoke about everything from crowd control and temporary structures to weather disruption, cancellations and refunds. What looks like a great day out carries real financial and reputational exposure.

“There is a big difference between everyday business risk and event risk,” she said. “The moment you bring people, infrastructure and live activity together, the exposure changes completely.”

One of the standout themes was just how broad and interesting this space is. Insurance is not sitting on the sidelines. It is embedded in how events are planned, delivered and protected. It enables bold ideas, supports organisers and, in many cases, makes the event possible in the first place.

iTOO’s involvement in Comrades also goes beyond the cover itself. Their Run 99 initiative, encouraging the donation of gently used running shoes, is a simple but powerful reminder that sport is also about access, community and giving others a chance to take part.

Risk architecture

Throughout the session, one point came through clearly: Brokers are not just there to place policies.

“They are part of the risk architecture,” Mamoeti said. “They help clients think through what could go wrong and how to keep things on track.”

That applies whether you are organising Comrades or a local golf day.

At CN&CO, we see this from multiple angles. And if there is one takeaway, it is this: keep learning. Whether it is through iTOOsday sessions, InsureTalk or other CPD opportunities, staying curious and informed is what keeps you relevant.

Watch the full webinar below: