Make sure your insurance premiums don’t show you the yellow card

It’s Six Nations season, and many of us are gearing up to support Wales in their matches.

We’ll be going to watch them at home and away, gathering in pubs, and going to rugby clubs to watch the big games.

At this time of year, it’s great to get behind your favourite rugby team, whether it’s your national, regional, or local side.

However, it’s also important that rugby clubs get their basics right to ensure they don’t face a costly bill in the coming months and years.

Rugby clubs across Wales need to be thinking about their insurance.

They often have thousands of pounds worth of kit and equipment at their bases, so it’s time to kick off 2018 with the right cover.

Clubs will need:

• Cover for damage, theft, flooding, and fire – There have been several cases of clubs facing waterlogged pitches and flooded clubhouses in recent years. Sadly, break-ins are all-too common, and clubs have the risk of fire to manage. Many clubs provide food and have kitchens, the electrics should be inspected regularly, and the risk from nearby premises should also be assessed by experts – especially if clubs are in industrial areas.
• Public liability insurance – Members of the public attend matches and players attend matches and training sessions, and we live in an increasingly litigious age, so getting the right level of public liability cover is essential.
• Professional indemnity insurance for coaching staff – Coaches need to feel they are covered by clubs, whatever their level. Any role where professional advice is given could lead to a professional indemnity claim.
• Cyber insurance – Any organisation which has access to data from members of the public should be looking to insure its online operation. That includes rugby clubs with websites, email lists of members and supporters, and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter pages. Clubs can handle sensitive information such as bank details, addresses, and telephone numbers – all of which will be covered by strict new regulations in May when the General Data Protection Regulation comes into force. Having a cyber plan and insurance which allows you access to cyber experts will help protect your club from a substantial fine.

How can clubs reduce their premiums?

It’s important that clubs get CCTV and proper security systems at their sites and carry out regular inspections of buildings and pitches to ensure problems are nipped in the bud. Evidence of that will help you reduce your premiums.

Talk to an independent broker with access to the whole of the market, too.

They will be able to find the right deals for your club, and help you assess the risks and what you need to do to ensure the club has a bright future.

Find a broker with a risk assessment team, just like Severn Bay. Their experience will help you draw up a risk map of your club’s activities, and a plan to manage each of those individual risks.

Need advice on the right insurance for your club? Call our expert brokers on 02920 470375.