Understanding underwriter uncertainty in rugby league related concussion

Purpose/Rationale The purpose of this exploratory paper is to critically explore the liability underwriting landscape for insuring concussion risks in rugby league in the UK. Design/Methodology/Approach The authors approached this study using a qualitative methodology via exploratory expert interviews with four experienced liability underwriters and interpreted the data using thematic analysis. Findings The issues of causation and volatility are of immediate concern for underwriters causing systemic uncertainty. The inherent risk relating to the game of rugby league, physiology of participants and degenerative diseases such as CTE are identified as significant risk factors when evaluating concussion liability risks in rugby league. Practical Implications The findings of this study have implications for rugby league stakeholders including the RFL leadership, scientists, doctors, lawyers, insurance brokers and risk managers, to produce scientific data for the underwriting community to greater understand the concussion exposure. Research Contribution Sports concussion research concerning the liability insurance market is drastically underexplored. This study is at the beginning of researching this specific field. These novel findings provide insights to help explain the current state of underwriting concussion liability in rugby league. Originality/Value The authors understand that this study is the first to be conducted with underwriters regarding the issue of concussion in rugby league. It is important to change the direction of travel between underwriters and rugby league.