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| NORTH YORKSHIRE |  | | | CLEVELAND | | | | COUNTY DURHAM | | |
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Consider insurance costs for village events
VILLAGE event organisers have
been warned to plan ahead to
ensure community carnivals and
fetes keep swinging this summer.
The number of village shows
has declined in recent years,
partly because of health and
safety fears and the perceived
cost of insurance.
Organisers of occasional oneoff
events have a legal obligation
to ensure they are protected with
suitable insurance.
Costs can be kept down with
early planning, according to Darlington-
based BiB Insurance
Group.
Helen Blenkinsopp, a commercial
broker with BIB, says organisers
should make insurance
a priority at the outset.
She said: "Before you start confirming
with equipment suppliers,
entertainers and caterers, it
is important to have your insurance
in place and it is a good idea
to have all bookings in writing in
case you need to make a claim."
Premiums for one-off events
are calculated on the type of
event, the limit of liability, the
number of visitors expected, and
the number of days the event will
be held.
Cover for a small village sports
day with under 100 people, including
£1mworth of public liability insurance,
can cost as little as £55.
If licences are needed to hold
the event, the local council or the
owner of the venue can advise on
the amount of public liability
cover needed.
Mrs Blenkinsopp said: "Insurers
are looking for events which
are run efficiently and professionally
to ensure the safety of
the general public and everyone
involved.
"Ways to reduce risk include
seeking advice from the police
and fire authority, using professionals
to put up any seating or
staging, having security if the
event is being held over several
days, and having trained first aid
staff on hand during the event."
She said organisers should also
choose carefully what kind of attractions
they plan to have since
all insurance policies will have
some exclusions.
She explained: "Activities that
fall outside a normal policy will
cost extra. For example, cover for
animals is not typically included,
so you may wish to reconsider
having donkey rides. Also sports
events or competitive activities
where people could get injured
are not usually covered under
typical, one-off event policies."
For bigger events where staff,
volunteers or helpers are being
drafted in, employer's liability
cover is also required even if the
staff are not being paid. This usually
costs approximately £100 for
20 people.
Additional insurance can be
added to cover property and
damage to hired property, such
as marquees. Vandalism or theft
from unattended sites may not
be covered.
Organisers should also consider
cancellation cover for the
event.
For more information, contact
BiB on 01325-353888.
12:02pm Friday 25th April 2008
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