Protection for damages and legal costs arising out of death or bodily injury caused to employees or volunteers during their engagement with the club.
Who is covered?
This cover applies only to activities authorised or recognised by The Aikido Alliance. A full list of Aikido and related disciplines recognised by the Aikido Alliance can be found within the FAQ’s.
The policy covers:
- Aikido Alliance UK.
- Affiliated Associations and their clubs including their committee / officers.
- Registered coaches, helpers, assistants.
- Affiliated members.
- Volunteers.
What insurance do you get as part of your membership?
Please note this policy does not include participation in formal competitions, tournaments, or sparring with the intent to win, so any activities which follow this type of “sporting model” are not covered. NB traditional jiyuwaza and similar activities would not be considered to be competitive (and so would be covered under this policy).
As part of your membership with the Aikido Alliance you automatically receive the benefit of the Combined Liability insurance. To understand what this covers and to see the main terms and conditions that apply please make sure you refer to the Evidence of Cover and policy wording which can be found in the downloads section below.
The annual policies run from 1st July 2025 – 30th June 2026 (both days inclusive)
The policies' limits are as follows:
- Public and Products Liability – £5,000,000 any one occurrence but in the aggregate in respect of products liability.
- Professional Indemnity - £5,000,000 any one claim and in the aggregate.
- Employers Liability - £10,000,000 any one occurrence.
- Directors and Officers - £1,000,000.
Please Note: Cover is operative for all affiliated Aikido Alliance members on the basis you hold a live and valid membership with The Alliance and that the master insurance programme has been renewed by the Aikido Alliance.
The covers explained
The below insurances are in place to cover the non-combative and non-competitive disciplines of Aikido and other related arts as specified in the FAQs. Please note the insurance policy does not cover competition, tournaments and / or sparring.
Public liability insurance provides protection against legal liability for bodily injury to third parties and damage to third party property.
Products liability insurance provides protection against legal liability to pay compensation including legal costs for death or bodily injury, or damage to third party property arising from products supplied. An example of this would be suppling/selling training uniforms and equipment.
Cover to protect affiliated clubs and coaches for claims made against them which allege that a third party has suffered an injury or financial loss caused by negligent acts, errors or omissions during coaching activities. The terms “instructor” and “coach” are interchangeable in this guidance.
Provides cover for claims made directly against individuals e.g. officer, committee member, director, and/or trustee for alleged wrongful acts.
Frequently asked questions
There aren't any age restrictions on the liability insurance, however we stipulate that participation in all activities must be in accordance with the rules & guidelines of the Aikido Alliance.
Please contact Marsh Sport to report the incident as soon as possible Tel: 0345 872 5060 Email: marshsport@marsh.com.
Yes, there is a £350 Excess against any bodily injury and / or property claims.
Aikido, aikido-based self defence, Aikijujutsu and Aikijutsu, Iaido (using iaito practice blades and NOT live blades/shinken), and Jodo.
Activities which are not covered under Aikido Alliance insurance policies include
any form of training or participation with a “live” metal blade AND any pairs or group partner training with any metal-bladed weapons. Participation in non-recognised activities are also not covered.
Yes, the Sportscover Liability policy will defend claims made against you for negligence. Please note any claims relating to deliberate or criminal acts are excluded
Wooden weapons include: Bokken, Jo, Tanto, Tanjo and Kubotan.
Metal weapons for solo practice: Iaito (practice blade) No live blades permitted (a live blade is a sharp blade e.g. a shinken)
Rubber weapons and plastic bottles are covered
Risk assessments must be in place for all activities
Please use the link below to access the up to date weapons policy for the Aikido Alliance.
Activities involving non-members are not covered unless part of a taster session of a recognised Activity or Discipline. Non-members can participate in up to three 'Taster' sessions and be covered under the Aikido Alliance’s insurance policies. Clubs must obtain basic information for those attending taster sessions to include name, address, health conditions and emergency contact details. All details should be retained for a minimum of three years for adults and a period of time equal to a child attaining their 18th birthday plus 3 years.
The Liability Policy protects a club and its registered members for allegations of negligence should they injure other members or members of the public. If the spectators are injured as a result of your club’s or a member's negligence they have the right to bring a liability claim against you. However, if a spectator injures themselves at an event and there is no negligence attaching to the club or its members there is no automatic payment to the spectator.
All instructors must be qualified (contact the Aikido Alliance for information about accepted qualifications). It is common in martial arts for the most senior grade in a training group or training pair to offer guidance and support. As long as this is done in the context of what is being taught in the main class this is not considered to be coaching or instructing. Only qualified, registered instructors (i.e. those instructors leading a class) will be covered under the Professional Indemnity section of the policy.
No, the insurance provided by the Aikido Alliance does not cover an individual’s own kit/equipment. Nor is a club’s equipment or stock covered
There is a statute of limitation for an injured party to bring a claim for injury against. Usually 3 years or if they are a child up to 3 years from their 18th birthday. This however can be reviewed by the courts dependant on the circumstances. It is imperative however that you notify any circumstance which may give rise to a claim as soon as you are aware of it.
Activities recognised and therefore covered via your insurance are:
Aikido, aikido-based self defence, Aikijujutsu and Aikijutsu, Iaido (using iaito practice blades and NOT live blades/shinken), and Jodo.
Risk management is key when defending a claim and will need to be evidenced in the event of an incident. As such, it is imperative that you undertake a risk assessments for all club activities. Risk assessments should include the venue, the activity and the participants.
Providing the activity does not require any specialist training, qualification, experience or equipment that is not recognised by Aikido Alliance then social activity is covered involving affiliated club members.
Examples of recognised social activities would include Award Dinners, Christmas parties and BBQ's.
If you are unsure whether your social activity is recognised, please contact Marsh Sport on 0345 872 5060 or email: marshsport@marsh.com
Social activities and associated entertainment involving non-members such as Birthday Parties are not covered.
We would recommend that a designated person within your club is made responsible to record any reportable accident/incident. Records must be kept for at least 6 years, and longer where it involves a person under the age of 18 years. Names and addresses of any possible witnesses should also be recorded. Please ensure your club has an accident book to record all such information. In respect of Safeguarding allegations records should be kept indefinitely.
