- All incidents that could give rise to a claim must be reported reported via the British Canoeing incident reporting system at your earliest opportunity.
- Any writ or summons must be forwarded on immediately.
- You should not admit liability under any circumstances as the insurers will respond to all allegations on your behalf.
About the insurance
This cover applies only to activities authorised or recognised by British Canoeing.
The policy covers: British Canoeing, British Canoeing Events Ltd, Scottish Canoe Association, Canoe Association of Northern Ireland (including members of CANI resident the Republic of Ireland) Canoe Wales, the Canoe Foundation, and all their affiliated:
- Employees.
- Directors, officers, and officials.
- Event safety officers.
- Committee members.
- Events.
- Clubs.
- Members, and associate members.
- Coaches, and voluntary helpers.
The annual policies run from 1st November 2022 to 31st October 2023. The policy limits (dependent upon your membership category) are as follows:
- Public Liability - cover for your legal liability of up to £10,000,000 (£250 excess).
- Professional Indemnity - cover for the club's or coaches legal liability of up to £10,000,000 (£1,000 excess).
- Directors and Officers – cover for club committee members of up to £5,000,000.
- Employers Liability – cover for clubs in respect of claims for injuries made by employees or volunteers, up to £10,000,000.
- Abuse cover - up to £2,000,000 (£2,500 excess).
Please note:
- Not all the covers noted above apply to all membership categories. Please refer to the specific membership sections below.
- Public Liability and Professional Indemnity cover is provided worldwide.
- Restricted cover applies in respect of Directors and Officers – please refer to Marsh Sport.
The Marsh Sport team are on hand for any insurance related enquiries. Our office hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. You can call or main office number on 0345 872 5060 or message us. Alternatively, you can contact the individuals in our team below.
Insurance for clubs
As part of your affiliation membership with British Canoeing, Scottish Canoe Association, Canoe Association of Northern Ireland (including members of CANI resident the Republic of Ireland) and Canoe Wales you automatically receive the benefit of Combined Liability insurance.
To understand what these covers are and to see the main terms and conditions that apply please make sure you refer to the policy summary and policy wording which can be found in the downloads section below.
The annual policies run from 1st November 2023 to 31st October 2024.
About insurance for clubs
Please view the tabs for 'Policy details and limits', 'Important Information' and 'FAQs'
slected option
- Policy details and limits
- Important information
- FAQs
- Public Liability - cover for your legal liability of up to £10,000,000 (£250 Excess).
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. - Professional Indemnity - cover for the club's or coaches legal liability of up to £10,000,000 (£1,000 Excess).
Cover to protect affiliated clubs or 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. - Directors and Officers – cover for club committee members of up to £5,000,000.
Protection for committee members and club officers against claims arising from their decision or actions whilst managing the organisation. - Employers Liability – cover for clubs in respect of claims for injuries made by employees or volunteers, up to £10,000,000.
Protection against legal liability in respect of claims made for injuries to any volunteer or employee of the member club. - Abuse cover up to £2m (£2,500 Excess).
PLEASE NOTE: THIS ONLY APPLIES TO ENGLISH CLUBS
(Not applicable to SCA, CANI or Canoe Wales)
Club Associate members receive Public Liability (third party liability) and professional indemnity insurance for any activity that has been assessed as part of the club’s activity, in accordance with the new definition of club activity.
Club Associate members are also covered by insurance when they coach and lead groups within the constraints of ‘club activity’, as long as they have undertaken a competency framework assessment.
Please note - As from 1st October 2020 club activity for English based clubs affiliated to British Canoeing is defined as:
‘Any activity that has been assessed as part of the club’s safety framework and promoted on the club calendar, website or noticeboard.’ ‘Club activities also include inter-club activities where the responsibility for risk assessment and management is carried out and then shared between all participating clubs.’
If the club is unincorporated, the officer (and its members) could be liable for any and all financial losses incurred by the club. The Directors and Officers insurance provided by British Canoeing is in place to support you and your club for claims in respect of allegations which may come against the officer whilst undertaking their role. If the club is incorporated the directors may still find themselves personally liable and therefore Directors & Officers Insurance is essential. Please note this is a different type of cover to Professional Liability, which is a form of liability insurance which helps protect professional advice given by your club this is also known as errors and omissions cover.
Yes, provided the sessions are covered in the clubs safety framework
In addition to recognised British Canoeing activities, clubs are covered for all activities typically associated with the running of a club, including administration and social events. Ergo and Strength and Conditioning activities are also included, subject to any equipment being checked and maintained on a regular basis, and an induction course in how to use the items of equipment is provided to new members. Clubs should complete a risk assessment for these sessions and review it regularly.
If there are verbal or written allegations made against your club, you should record the information and notify Marsh Sport of the incident at your earliest opportunity. Please contact 0345 872 5060 or email.
In NO circumstances should you admit liability or agree to pay for any damage caused as this may prejudice the position of Insurers and COULD result in the withdrawal of any indemnity. Please note this is a Liability policy where Insurers decide if negligence attaches to you, meaning any payment you make to any third parties will not necessarily be reimbursed.
If your query relates to the insurance policy please contact our insurance broker, Marsh Sport on either 0345 872 5060, or by email.
No. If members are paddling outside a club session then they will need their own British Canoeing On The Water membership to be covered for third party liability insurance, or they need to take out their own insurance elsewhere.
No, they would need to be individual members to be insured. If, however, this is a club activity and the club has deployed a suitably experienced leader, cover would be in place for the club and its members.
Individuals who may be interested in joining a club are insured for a maximum of 6 initial 'taster' sessions. For indemnity to apply it is essential that the club records their name, address and dates of attendance. These details must be retained as they may be called upon in the event of a claim.
Club Associates are covered by insurance for any activity that has been assessed as part of the club's safety framework and promoted on the club calendar, website or noticeboard. Club activities also include inter-club activities where the responsibility for risk assessment and management is carried out and shared between all participating clubs. Club Associates are covered by insurance for entry-level competitions organised for or on behalf of British Canoeing Discipline Committees or participation events organised by Regional Development Teams (RDTs).
British Canoeing will be asking clubs for their Employers Reference Number at the start of 2022. If you do not have an ERN the club will be asked to confirm they are exempt. For your information the ERN is a number given to every business that registers with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as an employer, and is provided by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) under which the employees' income tax and NI contributions are recorded. It can be obtained from any mandatory HMRC documentation, including P45, P60, P11/D and most payslips.
In all cases where PAYE is operated, an ERN is allocated to the employer and the ERN applies to all UK businesses employing one or more people.A minority of employers do not have an ERN, including those that:
- pay all their employees below the current threshold (£240 per week, £1042 monthly, £12,500 annually); or
- are registered in the Channel Islands (These have no tax presence in the UK). All our coaches are volunteers, is it still necessary? There is a statutory requirement for clubs to have Employers Liability Insurance if you employ the services of others.
The definition of employee makes no distinction between paid and unpaid work meaning your club volunteers could still be classed as an "employee".
It is essential that you undertake risk assessments for the activities of your club to support you in your risk management. You and your club owe a duty of care to those around you. If an allegation for negligence is made against you or your club the risk assessments will be needed to evidence what you have reasonably been able to do to prevent an incident occurring.
Club Associates registered with the SCA are covered for recognised club activities only. If you wish cover to extend for non-club activity, we recommend upgrading to individual membership.
Public Liability, Professional Indemnity, Directors' and Officers, Employers Liability & Abuse cover. Club Associate members are covered by Public Liability insurance when engaging in club activity. Members are also covered for professional indemnity insurance if they lead club activities, and have been checked and approved as competent by the club committee as part of the club safety framework.
We 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.
Employers Liability protects the employer in the event of an injury to an employee, for which the employer is liable. Employers Liability could apply to clubs who employ coaches or volunteers to work on their behalf. Public Liability protects a club/member/volunteer if another member, or a member of the public, sues them for injury or damage caused.
Insurance cover is only available to members who have a permanent UK address. Such members are covered for their liabilities in terms of recognised activities in both the UK and overseas, provided that any overseas trip is recognised/authorised by British Canoeing or the National Associations. Any member permanently living abroad is not covered.
No, if you would like to insure your equipment/premises we would recommend getting in touch with Marsh Sport.
Yes, subject to any equipment being checked and maintained on a regular basis, and an induction course in how to use the items of equipment is provided to new members, then the club is covered. Clubs should complete a risk assessment for these sessions and review it regularly.
Liability cover is provided for trips abroad that are authorised by British Canoeing or your respective home nation. However, the membership insurance does not include Travel Insurance, which can be obtained from Marsh Sport.
Insurance for coaches
As part of your membership with British Canoeing, Scottish Canoe Association, Canoe Association of Northern Ireland (including members of CANI resident the Republic of Ireland) and Canoe Wales you automatically receive the benefit of Combined Liability insurance.
To understand what these covers are and to see the main terms and conditions that apply please make sure you refer to the policy summary and policy wording which can be found in the downloads section below.
The annual policies run from 1st November 2023 to 31st October 2024
About insurance for coaches
Please view the tabs for 'Policy details and limits', 'Important Information' and 'FAQs'
slected option
- Policy details and limits
- Important information
- FAQs
- Public Liability - cover for your legal liability of up to £10,000,000 (£250 Excess).
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. - Professional Indemnity - cover for the club's or coaches legal liability of up to £10,000,000 (£1,000 Excess).
Cover to protect 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.
Coaches that use a trading name are insured for up to a Turnover of £30,000 per annum, if your turnover exceeds this amount or you trade as a Limited Company you are not covered by this insurance and will need to seek your own separate Insurance, please speak to Marsh | Bluefin Sport if you would like a quotation.
We 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.
Under the terms of the policy both 'experience' and formal qualification is included. British Canoeing recognises the important work that goes on in clubs via experienced personnel. We would recommend that clubs ensure they audit these volunteers against their experience. The types of activities being run by experienced individuals will typically include running basic and improvers skills sessions, competitive training events, time trials or club trips or journeys.
Registered learners have gone through the process of registering and will have paid a registration fee. Registrations have no time limit however the individual would need to still meet and maintain the requirements (National Association membership and any required prerequisites) of that registration. You will have been issued an electronic registration certificate.
If your query relates to the insurance policy please contact our insurance broker, Marsh Sport on either 0345 872 5060, or by email.
The supervising person needs to meet update requirements and be qualified to coach or lead in the same environment as the remit for the qualification the learner is studying towards. The Supervisor is responsible for the overall safety and must be able to intervene and if required take over the trip or coaching session.
Insurance cover is only available to members who have a permanent UK address. Such members are covered for their liabilities in terms of recognised activities in both the UK and overseas, provided that any overseas trip is recognised/authorised by British Canoeing or the National Associations. Any member permanently living abroad is not covered.
The policy does not extend to overseas members or coaches.
No, if you are injured you may wish to seek legal advice on how to pursue a claim against the person responsible for causing the injury.
Paddlesport Instructors and Stadium Raft Guides have been trained and assessed to instruct paddlesports within the supporting safety framework of a club or organisation. In these cases, a more qualified and experienced person is expected to make risk assessments, set safe systems of work and environmental limitations. Paddlesport Instructors and Stadium Raft Guides cannot self-deploy. Organisations deploying Paddlesport Instructors and/or Stadium Raft Guides are responsible for ensuring they have appropriate insurance cover for their activities.
You are not covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance until your expired training has been renewed and your National Association Membership record is updated.
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.
Qualified coaches, instructors, leaders or guides who meet the Update requirements (membership, first aid, safeguarding and CPD) and operating within the guidance provided in the Environmental Definitions and Deployment Guidance for Instructors, Coaches and Leaders. Registered learners who are operating under direct supervision and working towards their registered qualification. A Registered Learner is a member of a National Association who has completed the registration process for a specific qualification and meets the registration prerequisites.
Supplementary activity such as an organised litter pick or photography is covered providing you are working within Environmental Definitions and Deployment Guidance for Instructors; Coaches and Leaders and a suitable risk assessment has been conducted. For some supplementary activities you may also need to consider if your safeguarding measures are sufficient. Activities which are not supplementary e.g hiking up a hill on a rest day during a Paddlesport based multi-day expedition are not covered. Note: Instructors and Stadium Raft Guides cannot self-deploy, so the deployer is responsible for the safety framework. Note: For the avoidance of doubt, any activity involving drones or yoga are excluded.
Yes, the public liability insurance provided will defend your position, should you be sued for injury to a third party or damage to a third parties property. Please note any claims relating to deliberate or criminal acts are excluded.
Cover to protect 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.
Public Liability and Professional Indemnity (advice, tuition & coaching cover) insurance up to £10,000,000.
Coaches that use a trading name are insured for up to a Turnover of £30,000 per annum, if your turnover exceeds this amount or you trade as a Limited Company you are not covered by this insurance and will need to seek your own separate Insurance.
British Canoeing Delivery Partners can access great offers with Marsh Sport, contact us if you would like a quotation (you will be required to show your Delivery Partner Certificate).
Insurance for members
The cover applies only to activities authorised or recognised by British Canoeing.
As part of your membership with British Canoeing, Scottish Canoe Association, Canoe Association of Northern Ireland (including members of CANI resident the Republic of Ireland) and Canoe Wales you automatically receive the benefit of the Combined Liability insurance.
To understand what these covers are and to see the main terms and conditions that apply please make sure you refer to the policy summary and policy wording which can be found in the downloads section below.
The annual policies run from 1st November 2023 to 31st October 2024. The policy limits are as follows:
About insurance for members
Please view the tabs for 'Policy details and limits', 'Important Information' and 'FAQs'
slected option
- Policy details and limits
- Important information
- FAQs
- Public Liability - worldwide cover for your legal liability of up to £10,000,000 (£250 excess). Public liability insurance provides protection against legal liability for bodily injury to third parties and damage to third party property.
- Club Associate members receive Public Liability (third party liability) insurance for any activity that has been assessed as part of the club’s activity, in accordance with the new definition of club activity.
- Club Associate members are also covered by insurance when they coach and lead groups within the constraints of ‘club activity’, as long as they have undertaken a competency framework assessment.
Please note - As from 1st October 2020 club activity for English based clubs affiliated to British Canoeing is defined as: ‘Any activity that has been assessed as part of the club’s safety framework and promoted on the club calendar, website or noticeboard.’ ‘Club activities also include inter-club activities where the responsibility for risk assessment and management is carried out and then shared between all participating clubs.’
No, if you are injured you may wish to seek legal advice on how to pursue a claim against the person responsible for causing the injury.
No. If members are paddling outside a club session then they will need their own British Canoeing On The Water membership to be covered for third party liability insurance, or they need to take out their own insurance elsewhere.
No, they would need to be individual members to be insured. If, however, this is a club activity and the club has deployed a suitably experienced leader, cover would be in place for the club and its members.
Yes, the public liability insurance provided will defend your position, should you be sued for injury to a third party or damage to a third parties property. Please note any claims relating to deliberate or criminal acts are excluded.
We 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.
Public Liability insurance up to £10,000,000.
If your query relates to the insurance policy please contact our insurance broker, Marsh Sport on either 0345 872 5060, or by email.
Public liability insurance provides protection against legal liability for bodily injury to third parties and damage to third party property.
Insurance for delivery partners
Marsh Sport are delighted to be appointed by British Canoeing as their insurance broker. As a result, we have implemented some changes that provides a new approach to insurance for their membership and delivery partners.
This will help create certainty for delivery partners when delivering the sport that they have a specialist Insurance broker on hand that can deliver competitive insurance protection against possible risks that may face.
Along with a specialist advice and support for you we can offer insurances for the following:
- Buildings Insurance
- Contents
- Sports Equipment
- Combined Liability Insurance
- Directors and Officers Insurance
- Cyber Crime
- Travel Insurance
We will provide bespoke insurance covers to meet the needs of your operation.
Please contact us to obtain more information.