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Most of what was written in the above post is untrue. The reason you have insurance coverage (if you do) is to protect you in the case of (usually) a suit. I guess in certain situations, one could file a claim or make a demand and there could be a pre-suit settlement, but in the case of on-field issues, I don't think that's likely.
Your insurance coverage, provided its even halfway complete, provides both the duty to defend and the duty to indemnify on the part of the insurance company. In layman's terms, that means they pay your lawyer's bills and a money judgment if you lose the suit. There are some restrictions, however. Many policies will only pay a portion of the legal fees and also have a cap on the damages they will pay. A one million dollar policy will only pay one million dollars per occurance (don't get me started on those definitions). Some of the policies I've seen for officials cap the legal fees at 3 grand. That's not very much, and is likely only half of what the minimum would be if you are sued and it goes to trial.
The reason you are sued is because you are alleged to be negligent. Insurance coverage doesn't evaporate due to negligence; on the contrary, it kicks in BECAUSE you were negligent. If you aren't negligent, there's no cause of action and no damages: i.e. you win! Negligence is almost certainly the basis of any court action against an official.
I could get into a whole dissertation of what sorts of events can get you in trouble, but it varies state to state. I practice in Texas, where the tort laws and upheld court findings make a lot more sense than they do in, say, Washington state (to name one place). I've researched cases out of various states and I've seen fact situations that are clearly no-win in Texas win big there. So, I won't comment specifically. However, there are a few things I do (hint) to protect myself from getting sued:
1. As a previous assignment secretary liked to say, "Take care of business." What that means is I do my job, including pregame, administrative duties, start on time, finish appropriately, etc.
2. Don't do dumb things. If my field has a lightning meter, if it goes off, I suspend the game. PERIOD. I don't let a coach harrass me about it. I get off the field and tell the teams to get off. I don't stay on the field because just because I think we can finish the game quickly.
3. Don't do dumb things, part II: allowing illegal equipment is a good way to get in trouble. Spiked bracelets are no-brainers, but if I have ANY question about the safety of equipment, I don't allow it. Be polite, if possible, but firm.
4. I follow stated guidelines (state association rules, mechanics, Fed/NCAA rules) as closely as possible on things that might get me in trouble.
Frankly, you are more likely to get assaulted in your officiating career than sued, but its always a good idea to stay protected.
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