THE UK ATHLETICS INSURANCE POLICY
Most participants in the sport of athletics rely on
the insurance policy taken out by UK Athletics for their protection. This policy
became due for renewal on the 31st October 2009. We note that this
year UK Athletics must have had a hard time with their negotiations because the
cover note for 2009-2010 was only issued by UKA on the very last day of the
expiring policy.
When it was eventually issued it contained
some unpalatable news. There is a substantial
increase in the excesses to be borne by any claimants under the policy.
The excess of £250 which previously only
applied to property damage has been extended to also apply to personal injury
claims. But for non athletic affiliated members the
excess is increased to £750.
This excess will represent a lot of money for most
non athletic affiliated members which includes: club members who have not
purchased the competition licence, race entrants who do not belong to an
affiliated club and volunteers who do not belong to a club but are
helping at a race. So a fine way to reward your race marshals !
On the plus side the level of cover has been
increased from £20m to £50m. We note that these top layers of cover can be
purchased very cheaply because insurers realise that the chance of a claim at
these levels is minimal.
The Association of Running Clubs (ARC)
purchases insurance with a NIL excess
for personal injury. Also unlike the UKA policy their insurance includes
employers liability cover for volunteers, it gives directors and officers cover
for the club committee and it insures experienced but not qualified coaches and
officials.
Click here to access the liability summary issued by Perkins
Slade to ARC.
ABAC Comment
We question why it is that UKA are unable to offer participants in the sport of
athletics insurance cover at least equal to that provided by ARC to its member
clubs. This is not the first time we have addressed this issue. Back in April we
highlighted anomalies with the terms of the 2008-2009 UKA insurance policy which
resulted in back tracking and changes which subsequently benefited the sport.
The casual observer could be forgiven for thinking that UKA are asleep at the
bridge and failing to provide the best available insurance terms for clubs and
events.
And here is a thought. How will coaches who are
independent of a club but registered with UKA to be treated. Are they to be
subject to a £750 excess?
ARC liability summary
2009-10
