SIMS raises equity for disability income product targeting youth athletes

Specialty Insurance Marketing Services  is positioning its ScholarGuard product as a niche accident disability offering designed to protect future education costs for youth athletes.

ScholarGuard provides coverage for individuals aged 6 to 21 (renewable to 26), paying benefits if a qualifying injury prevents them from continuing their sport and, by extension, pursuing scholarship-supported education. Benefits are tied to college enrollment eligibility and are paid over time, positioning the product as a bridge between injury risk and education financing.

The product is currently available in eight states, with plans for broader nationwide expansion as approvals are secured. It is distributed through licensed life and health insurers, with SIMS acting as the marketing and product development entity.

The company, formed in 2019, focuses on sports-related insurance products and is led by industry veterans, including managing member Michael Fink. The broader strategy centers on targeting families willing to insure against the financial impact of lost scholarship opportunities.

Separately, SIMS has raised capital through a private offering, targeting up to $3 million, with approximately $520,000 sold to date.