The full text of the BASC briefing on this topic is as follows:
BASC acts in the best interests of its members and shooting. With regards to the legal expense’s insurance only around 150 (1 in 1000) members a year make a claim, and of those only around a half (1 in 2000 members) have their cases taken up. Yet the legal expenses policy costs almost £1 million. The cost of this insurance continues to rise rapidly each year, whilst at the same time stricter conditions and exclusions are being added to the policy.
The legal expenses insurance policy is no longer providing a product which is in the best interests of members. As a result, BASC Council has decided to remove it from the membership package from July 31, 2020.
We have not taken this decision lightly.
The decision does not affect the membership liability or personal accident insurances which includes:
- up to £10 million Public Liability Cover
- up to £10 million Employer Liability Cover
- up to £10 million Product Liability Cover
- up to £50,000 cover for personal accidents resulting in the loss of sight, hearing, or limbs
Our firearms teams will still be on hand to provide advice and guidance to all members on firearms and licencing matters. Our public liability and personal accident insurances are unaffected and remain in place.
BASC’s resources are managed by Council so that we can continue to fight for shooting and benefit members.
Legal expenses insurance Q&A
Q: When will he cover end?
A: This insurance cover will cease on 31st July 2020.
Q: Why is BASC making this change?
A: The cost of paying for this type of insurance is increasing at an astronomic level, it’s not fair that all members should be paying for a cover that most members will never use, that is not in the best interests of our members and is potentially against the Financial Conduct Authority rules.
Q: Will this decrease the cost of membership?
A: No, the cost of providing insurances as part of the membership package is approximately £13.50. The cost varies each month depending on the size of the membership and of course at renewal when the annual premium is calculated. The rest of the membership subscriptions goes to the running of the Association and all the additional activities we undertake like judicial reviews for example. Partial refunds will also not be given for the reason stated above.
Q: In the years that the policy has been in place, has it made much difference?
A: Whereas there have been some individual successes the police have maintained gross inconsistency, indeed in some cases it seems to have been worse.
Q: Will I still get help from the BASC Firearms team with issues I may have with the possession and use of firearms?
A: Yes, absolutely, the firearms team within BASC are a unique member benefit and will now be able to focus even more on direct assistance of members.
Q: What are the BASC firearms team going to do to help?
A: The BASC firearms team will continue to operate at a strategic level lobbying the Policing minister, Home Office, and liaising with National Police Chiefs Council Firearms and Explosives Licensing Working Group to represent shooters interests and strive for a fair and consistent licensing system.
Q: The cost of insurance is advertised as £13.50 yet we are saying that it is too expensive why is that?
A: £13.50 is an approximate cost of the insurance element and it varies from month to month and year to year depending on the number of members and the cost of renewing the policies. The significant increase in the cost of the LEI would increase the approximate cost greatly and impact our financial resources to enable us to provide all our current services.
The BASC firearms experts are on hand to give direct help, support and advice to individual members on specific firearms licencing and possession issues.
basc.org.uk
