The FAW insurance zone

The following insurance is operative from 1 July 2023 to 31 May 2024:

The FAW has a specialist package that has been designed to provide a range of liability covers for Directly Affiliated Leagues and their affiliated members clubs/leagues and match officials.

Seven elements of cover in one package:

1. Public/product liability - £10,000,000 any one occurrence for public liability and in the aggregate in respect of products liability.
2. Legal defence costs for 'player to player' - £200,000.
3. Abuse cover is limited to £1,000,000.
4. Employers' liability - £10,000,000.
5. Officers and committee liability - £10,000,000.
6. Professional indemnity - £10,000,000.
7. Cyber liability £500,000.

This product is exclusively available via affiliation to the FAW. The summary of cover includes the evidence of insurance cover.

Cover includes property owners’ liability for clubs/leagues that own a clubhouse, changing facility or stands.

Cover automatically extends to include both a club and leagues commercial activities however in respect of the operation of a licenced premises, cover does not extend for operation outside of club activities and/or to the general public (i.e. non-members or guests). 

If the licenced bar is only open when sport is being played, meetings are taking place or for official club events, additional liability insurance is not required. 

For any clubs that operate a licenced bar as a commercial enterprise, i.e. outside of club activities and/or to the general public, please contact Marsh Sport to arrange additional cover.

Yes. In the event of a claim the following applies:

• Public liability = £250 each and every claim in respect of third party property damage only. This is reduced to £25 in respect of claims for damage to windscreens/windows
• Employers' liability = No excess
• Officers and committee liability = £250 each and every claim
• Professional indemnity = £250 each and every claim
• Cyber liability = £250 each and every claim

Bonfires and fireworks displays are covered but subject to agreed events plan criteria. Firework/Bonfire Warranty:

• All fireworks are discharged by designated adults only.
• All fireworks are stored in fire resistant containers.
• All spectators are kept at least 15 metres from the bonfire and firework discharge points.
• No accelerants are used on the bonfire.

You must fully comply with HSE guidance which can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/explosives/fireworks/using.htm

This is a liability policy only so is designed to provide protection for claims made against you if you are found to be at fault or negligent in some way. For players to be protected for injury, regardless of blame, clubs should consider buying personal accident insurance.

The policy is designed to cover slips, trips and falls due to your negligence, but not if your club building is a licensed premises.

Provides cover for claims made directly against individuals at the club e.g. officer, committee member, director and/or trustee for alleged wrongful acts. 

Why should I have it? 

Officers and committee liability claims example: During a committee meeting club member A read out a statement relating to club member B. Club member B took offence to this statement and later pursued legal action against club member A for alleged defamation of character.

Provides cover in respect of claims made against the club for injuries caused to an employee of the club arising out of and in the course of such employment. 

Why should I have it? 

Employers liability claims example: Aclub asked a 'volunteer' if he would put the nets up on a regular basisin return for a small monetary reward. The club supplied a wooden stepladder to help fulfill the task. The stepladder collapsed whilst the volunteer was using it and resulted in sustaining an injury. Itwas proven that the step ladder was rotten and unsuitable for the task at hand. The club were held liable under Employers Liability because ofthe master-servant relationship.

Provides protection against legal liability for bodily injury to third parties and damage to third party property. 

Why should I have it?

Public and products liability claims examples:

1. A player slid off the pitch into a concrete post. It was alleged that the post was erected too close to the playing surface and injury could have been avoided if the club had taken prior action. The club were held liable for the injury to the player.
2. During a football competition the club provided their own barbeque and supplied burgers and snacks. Following the event the club received news of several cases of food poisoning from various people that had attended the event. The club were held responsible.
3. Ball hit over cross bar and lands in undergrowth behind the goal. Player went to retrieve the ball and got caught on hidden barbed wire fencing causing serious injury. Club were held liable for failing to ensure a safe environment to play in.

No. The FAW does not sanction these types of activities. We have received claims in the past following serious injuries in these types of games.

In the first instance this type of claim needs to be referred to your own insurance provider i.e. mobile phone insurance, or household cover. Your own club may have a contents policy which potentially could cover items away from the club. A liability claim will only be successful if the club have acted in a negligent fashion.

Liability cover for claims made against the club for negligent acts, errors or omissions, libel, slander and defamation. Includes cover for coaching activities that may be given in return for a fee. 

Why should I have it? 

Professional indemnity claims example: A club coach decided to bring in a new warm up regime before a game. A few players reported back pains a week later. It was alleged that these injuries were as a result of the new training regime and the advice that the club coach had been giving the players. Claims for injury were pursued against the coach for the instruction and advice he had given. The policy offered protection to the club coach in this particular case.