Insurance Questions
Questions and answers covering the BHS Gold Membership inclusive insurance:
How do I get an insurance quote?
The BHS is a charity. Gold Members receive certain insurance benefits (see below for more detail), as well as supporting the work of the charity. The BHS does not sell insurance, but if you are seeking to extend your insurance beyond Public Liability and Personal Accident insurance we suggest you speak to the company that supplies our insurance, South Essex Insurance Brokers, on 01708 852932.
What insurance do I get as a BHS Gold Member?
As a BHS Gold Member you receive the benefit of Public Liability cover with an indemnity limit of £10,000,000 and an element of Personal Accident cover with various limits detailed below.
What does the Public Liability Insurance cover me for?
The Public Liability Insurance provides cover for any third party injury or property damage that arises out of your legal liability/negligence as the BHS member.
What does the Personal Accident Insurance cover me for?
The Personal Accident will provide cover for the member only. The benefits payable shall be as follows:
a) Horse related accidents other than while attending an Organised Equestrian Event as defined in scale B, but including traveling to and from such an event.
b) Horse related accidents while attending an Organised Equestrian Event being an official event or official practice/training session organised by or affiliated to the BHS, BSJA, Pony Club, BHS Riding Clubs, BE, BHDTA, BD, Endurance GB, BEV or FEI, but excluding traveling to and from such an event.
| |
A |
B |
| Accidental Death |
£10,000 |
£15,000 |
| Total and irrecoverable loss of sight of both eyes |
£10,000 |
£15,000 |
| Total and irrecoverable loss of sight of one eye |
£5,000 |
£7,500 |
| Loss of two limbs |
£10,000 |
£15,000 |
| Loss of one limb |
£5,000 |
£7,500 |
Total and irrecoverable loss of sight of one eye and loss
of one limb |
£10,000 |
£15,000 |
| Permanent total disablement |
£10,000 |
£15,000 |
When does the Insurance start?
If you apply on-line with a credit or debit card you are insured as soon as you receive a confirmation email back. If you apply by telephone with a credit or debit card you will be insured from that day. If you send in a cheque or direct debit form you will be insured from the day your application is received by the Membership Department.
How many horses are insured?
All horses that are owned by you are insured on the condition that they are used purely for recreational purposes and there is no business use/money exchanging hands.
What are the exclusions?
The full list of exclusions can be found in the BHS Handbook. The main exclusions are:
- Horse racing, point-to-point racing and steeple chasing
- The use of horse or horse-drawn vehicle for hire or reward
- Any business activities
Are any other members of my family covered?
The BHS offers a family policy which would be the most appropriate policy to take if all members of the family are riding on a regular basis.
Will I be covered while on holiday?
The BHS cover is provided on a world-wide basis for a temporary period. This will not provide cover in connection with any work that the insured may undertake. This is subject to the member being normally domiciled in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands or Republic of Ireland.
Who provides the insurance?
The insurances for Public Liability are underwritten by Brit Insurance Limited and the Personal Accident by Ace European Group Limited. All insurance queries are dealt with via South Essex Insurance Brokers. Public Liability claims should be reported to Brit Insurance Limited directly on 0845 605 0982. Personal Accident claims should be reported to Ace European Group Limited directly on 0845 841 0059.
Do BHS Members get favourable rates if they call South Essex for additional cover (horsebox insurance, for instance)?
Contacting SEIB for other insurances will help the BHS raise valuable extra funds – call for a quote on 01708 852932.
What if I want to cancel my insurance?
The insurance provided by the Gold Membership is a group policy provided by the BHS as part of your membership benefits. As such there is no facility to cancel the policy should you decide that you no longer require the cover. The BHS is a charity that works hard for every horse and rider – we could not do it without your support as a member. The BHS will look at cases on an individual basis however, and if you wish to request a cancellation/refund you should write in, returning your membership card and badge.
I am a member of an Affiliated Riding Club so why should I join the BHS too?
Being a member of an Affiliated Riding Club means you are covered by public liability insurance but only while competing at a Riding Club event. Consequently, as a horse owner if you do not have any additional personal cover you are very vulnerable. By joining The British Horse Society as a Gold Member personal accident and public liability is included within your membership (terms, conditions and territorial limits apply, contact the BHS for full details).
The liability insurance gives you, the Gold Member, cover up to £10 million. Anyone is insured when riding, driving or handling any horse within your ownership or control as long as you give your consent and no money changes hands.
The personal accident insurance covers accidental death, total and irrecoverable loss of eyesight, loss of limbs and permanent total disablement.
The benefit is doubled if the accident occurs at a BHS Affiliated Riding Club, BHS, BSJA, Pony Club, BE, BHDTA, BD, Endurance GB, BEV or FEI event. Insurance is becoming more and more expensive to buy independently, defending a claim against you – even if you have done nothing wrong – is likely to cost thousands. So join today.
What insurance cover should I have as the owner of a horse?
It is advisable that as the owner of a horse you take out Public Liability Insurance, even though the horse is not at your premises or in your control. As the passport holder you may be found legally liable for any injury or damage that the horse may cause.
Please note that it is the responsibility of the owner to stipulate what his/her expectations are from the person who is loaning the horse from them and for this to be identified within the loan agreement. None of the insurance covers are compulsory (i.e. Public Liability, PA, Vet fees) – however, the Public Liability is key in protecting the owner from potential legal liability attaching to them when they are not even in control of the horse.
What insurance cover should the person taking the horse on loan have?
We recommend that the person taking the horse on loan should have Public Liability cover. The loanee can also be found legally liable for any damage the horse may cause as they will be in control of the horse.