Insurance for Group Leaders
Every u3a is covered by limited insurance which is taken out each year on their behalf by the Third Age Trust. A new cover note is issued on 1st January and uploaded to our website. You can download a copy here (Insurance Cover Note) and should provide this to your meeting venue if requested. The information below attempts to answer questions St Ives (Cambs) u3a group leaders may have, but if you have any other questions then please email Insurance issues.
Be aware this is not legal advice, and more detailed information is available via the Further Information page.
Q1. How does u3a insurance cover Group Leaders?
If you are at all negligent and somebody (member or non-member) is injured undertaking a u3a activity, then you are protected should there be a claim made against you. (But see exceptions below.)
Note that this is "Public Liability" cover (not accident insurance), and applies to every member, of every u3a, on every u3a activity, anywhere in Europe - so not just to you as a Group Leader.
u3a insurance cover also includes a policy which covers u3a cash held in members’ homes, hired premises or in transit (max £1000).
Q2. Can non-members attend u3a events?
If they are a member of another u3a then they are covered for Public Liability - but whether they can attend our events is down to our u3a's decisions (TBD).
Other non-members who are understood to be covered by our Public Liability policy are:
- someone who attends two or three u3a "taster" sessions before deciding if they want to join (it is important to monitor and action this limit)
- someone who occasionally helps the u3a, eg a member's spouse setting out some chairs for a u3a event
- a member’s carer (with committee approval) - a professional carer must be covered by their own insurance
- outside speakers - paid speakers are expected to have their own insurance
Note that as soon as someone pays (eg cash) to become a member then, for insurance purposes, they are a member.
The public attending a u3a event are different, bring no membership issues, and are "third parties" to the u3a. Attending a u3a event is different to participating in u3a activity.
Q3. What about where a u3a group meets in a member’s home?
The Public Liability cover is the same wherever the group meets.
u3a insurance cover also includes a policy which covers up to £25,000 per claim for damage to any home contents belonging to a u3a member hosting a group, subject to an excess of £250.
Q4. Are accidents covered eg whilst out walking?
Remember that this is not personal accident insurance. It is an insurance against legal liability - where it can be shown that we had in some way been negligent in causing injury to the claimant. In (only) such cases are accidents covered.
Individuals requiring Personal Accident insurance should arrange cover independently. Some household policies may cover personal accident.
Q5. What are those exceptions you mentioned?
There is small print, but some of the situations that are not covered are:
- (almost - see Q11) anything involving a motor vehicle - the owner must have their own insurance
- injury sustained due to a defect in a member’s home - should be covered by their householder insurance.
Note also that there is a £500 excess on third party property damage.
Q6. What do we do in the event of an accident?
Do not admit liability or fault, even when you believe that this is the case.
The Group Leader must fill in an Incident Report Form and send it to the Secretary, who must ensure that it is retained on file for at least 3 years - in case of a future claim for damages.
Q7. Are we required to have trained first aiders within our u3a?
You are not required to do so under the policy, and insurance advice is to contact the emergency services immediately in the event of a serious incident, even if there happens to be a member present who has attended a first aid course.
Q8. What if a member administers first aid that goes wrong?
Members are covered if they provide first aid
Q9. Am I insured when using my own car for a u3a activity?
You are not automatically insured when using your own car for a u3a activity, you will need to check this with your own car insurer.
Q10. Can u3a members offer lifts to other members and accept money towards petrol costs without compromising their car insurance policy?
Yes. But it is recommended that this is done as an informal arrangement between members.
Q11. Does the public liability insurance provide any cover whilst members are travelling in other members’ cars or on a coach or minibus?
The question of accidents in motor vehicles is complex. Any accident arising from the driving of a vehicle would fall outside the scope of public liability insurance because motor insurance is an entirely separate matter and such incidents are covered under a motor insurance policy. This would normally include accidents which occur whilst mounting or dismounting a vehicle. However, on a coach where one member is injured by the actions of another member in circumstances which have nothing to do with the vehicle, it may be covered by our public liability insurance.
Q12. If a venue asks to see our "insurance" what should I give them?
Print a copy of our current Insurance Cover Note for them. This lists all the policies, and is renewed every year on January 1st, and uploaded to our website soon after.
Q13. Are dogs covered?
If a dog on a walking group causes an accident to take place to another member, the member would be able to make a claim under our public liability insurance. This does not guarantee that the claim would be agreed and it only applies to walking groups where the u3a committee have agreed dogs can attend. In the event of a claim, the insurance company would also look at whether an appropriate risk assessment had been carried out. Dogs are not allowed to attend any other kind of u3a meetings or activities unless they are a guide dog or other form of assistance dog.
Q14. Should we be carrying out risk assessments for any/all of our activities?
Our insurers ask that you undertake a risk assessment for all activities. Risk assessments can be used as evidence in the case of a claim being made against u3a. For low risk activities, such as a book club, the risk assessment can be a brief checklist. Suitable forms are available from Insurance information, and will be made available via the website in due course.
Q15. What would be the insurance position for eg a Yoga group?
None of our policies cover accidents, so we are only talking about public liability (essentially where a u3a member is negligent and causes harm). It is important that the Committee are happy with the leader's ability to lead the group safely, that the leader is not being paid, and that they have carried out a risk assessment (see Q14). (See also the answer to Q6 - What do in the event of an accident.)
A venue where the class is held may have their own requirements, and these must be followed. It is important to point out that participation is at members' own risk, and that any members with health issues should consult their doctor before taking part.
See also Insurance - Further Information, and its links. Or email Insurance issues.