6 Allotment Association Insurance Myths

This is one of the most common concerns we hear from allotment associations, especially those run by volunteers or small committees.

But, in many cases, insurance can be more affordable than people expect. At Chris Knott Insurance, standalone Public Liability Insurance policies start from £69, with additional cover tailored to the size of the association, the activities taking place on site and the specific risks involved.

It is also worth considering the potential financial impact of not having suitable protection in place. Even relatively small incidents can become expensive. A visitor tripping over equipment, damage caused during an event or vandalism involving shared tools and machinery could all result in unexpected costs for the association to deal with.

For many committees, insurance is less about expecting something to go wrong and more about having financial protection in place should an issue arise.

This is another common misunderstanding among allotment associations, particularly those run entirely by volunteers.

Even if an association does not directly employ staff, there may still be situations where Employers’ Liability Insurance should be considered. Volunteers, contractors and committee members carrying out work on behalf of the association could create an Employers’ Liability exposure in certain circumstances.

If somebody is injured while carrying out activities connected to the association and alleges negligence, the committee might face legal costs or compensation claims.

Employers’ Liability Insurance is designed to help protect associations against these types of risks, subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy.

Unfortunately, the size of an allotment association doesn’t remove the possibility of something going wrong.

Even smaller associations have responsibilities when it comes to maintaining communal areas and managing activities taking place on site.

Everyday situations can sometimes lead to unexpected issues. Uneven pathways, shared tools, volunteer maintenance work or public open days could all potentially result in injury or damage to somebody else’s property. If this happens and negligence is alleged, the association could face legal costs or compensation claims.

Many allotment associations also own shared equipment and assets that would be expensive to replace without suitable protection. This might include lawnmowers, strimmers, storage containers, fencing, water systems, communal sheds or other maintenance equipment built up over many years.

For volunteer-run associations working within limited budgets, unexpected costs can place additional pressure on both finances and committee members.

Insurance is therefore not just something for large organisations. For many allotment associations, it’s about having an appropriate level of financial protection in place should an issue arise.

4. The excess makes claiming pointless

Some committees assume that paying an excess defeats the point of having insurance in the first place.

However, excesses vary depending on the type of cover involved and in many situations, they may represent only a small proportion of the overall claim value.

Under policies arranged by Chris Knott Insurance, the Employers’ Liability section does not carry an excess. Public Liability claims are subject to a £250 excess, while property claims carry a £50 excess.

When compared with the potential cost of replacing equipment or dealing with a significant incident, these amounts may be relatively modest.

For example, replacing stolen tools or repairing vandalised communal facilities could quickly cost significantly more than the applicable excess. The same may apply if an incident results in legal expenses or compensation costs following an injury claim.

It’s also important to remember that insurance isn’t just about recovering day-to-day losses. For many associations, it provides financial protection against larger unexpected costs that could otherwise place pressure on committee members and association funds.

Arrange a quote for Allotment Liability Insurance

As with all insurance policies, cover will depend on the insurer’s terms, conditions and exclusions.

To find out more, visit the Chris Knott Insurance website or call 01424 205001.