Whats the best shooting INSURANCE? What do you have and why?

[Bandit Country]

SACS - although if I do have to claim there may be an interesting discussion between insurers as my BASC cover is still extant.

 

[David63]

Selling part of your bag to cover expenses say, is still well within the bounds of being recreational, as far as the BASC policy is concerned. However, if you are selling days and thus making an income (which may be subject to income tax?) then this is not recreational and you need to take out separate business cover.

All the associations, with their standard membership insurance, cover just recreational activities.

When there are two PL policies in place, and a claim is made, what happens next depends on the endorsements on the policies. If one of the polices has an endorsement that reads something along the lines of ' This policy will not be liable if any other policy is in force' then that company will walk away - I have seen this happen with some shooting organisation polices - so that is why I say to you all check the wording on the policy.

For example, I know of one case where a chap made a claim on his shooting organisation policy and they refused to pay becasue he had a PL policy through his home insurance! They had not given him a copy of the policy wording and he only found out about this endorsement when he made a claim.

Look out for this clause or anything like it in your shooting organisations policy - please check now!

In the case of the BASC policy it will not fail to respond if there is another policy in force.

Although I think everyone that shoots should be insured, just in case, but shooting is very safe indeed, you have at worst a 1/2000 chance of being involved in a shooting accident, based on our claims history. So in reality the insurance part of the membership package of the shooting organisations is, in reality, minor.

What realy matters is the other work the organisations do to help you on a day to day basis and on the bigger picture to portect our sport.

David

 

[BwchDanas]

My insurance is through my BASC memebership, it looks as good as any other, BUT, thankfully, I have never had to use it for it's intended purpose. What it has done for me, and I suggest this might be the real reason that most people get insurance, is get me shooting permissions. When I go "door knocking" for perms, the insurance is always something I mention, and at least one of my permissions it was a deciding factor, I know that because the farmer told me.

Until you come to need it (hopefully never) you don't really know how good your cover is. My experiences with insurance is all from RTAs, and it's mostly bad. For example when our 7 seater MPV went in for repair our courtesy car was a VW Polo, that my heavily pregnant missus had to try an load 3 kids into (note to self - watch more telly). I will say that an often overlooked bit is legal protection, if you have that bit then your insurers are much more likely to use the courts on your behalf as they know it's getting paid for, in the car insurance world it's the difference between the insurers agreeing "knock for knock" (meaning you have a fault against you) or actually fighting to get all costs from the other guy (if they are clearly at fault - meaning you don't have an "at fault" claim on your record).

 

[Orion]

I will say that an often overlooked bit is legal protection, if you have that bit then your insurers are much more likely to use the courts on your behalf as they know it's getting paid for.

And how many organisations, (other than SACS with £100,000 cover), offer legal expenses insurance as part of their standard membership insurance package?

 

[David63]

All liability polices (that I know of ) in the shooting world include legal expenses cover for defending a claim, and also cover the third party's legal costs and other costs incurred. This cover will always come into action in the event of a claim. Its almost impossible to have a shooting related claim, without lawyers getting involved - but the vast majority of claims get settled out of court

I have not seen a copy of the SACS plicy, although I have asked a few times, however as far as I am aware the SACS legal expenses policy you refer to Orion is to taking action AGAINST another party.

Typical of these before the event policies, is that they will typically only come into action once a panel of lawyers reviews the case in hand and then decide that there is a better than 50% chance of winning the case, as if they win they can then recover their costs (in many cases) from the other side. The cost of going to court is high, maybe £3-5k a day - double up I guess if you end up paying for your costs AND the other lot if you loose! - hence why claims like this have to go through a panel first. If I am in error re the SACS policy I am sure Ian will correct me.

David

 

[Tayfix]

Its been most intresting reading all the replys, David It seems that there are alot of people on here that favour SACS over BASC? a I have also been advised to have a look at The National Gamekeepers' Organisation.
It seems all of these are half the cost to join over BASC and offer the same cover to some extent, Im still very unsure which to go for?
looks like a big down load of the different policys and read the small print like you mention.
Tayfix.

 

[David63]

I think the NGO and SACS have the same underwriter - not too sure but as you say the best bet is to get a copy of the full policy wording and look at the exclusions. The NGO have a very informative Q&A on their insurance on their web site , but cant find much about the insurance on the SACS site.

The NGO policy for example will not cover you for beating or loading, it only covers you in the UK and not over seas, if you take any payment at all – even in kind you are not covered, it will not cover you if you have any other liability insurance in place – here is the link to the FAQ you can read yourself
http://www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk/media/resource_files/KtBaut08forWeb28Insurance_.pdf

No doubt part of the attraction of say SACS and the NGO , and indeed others, is the cost - would these guys be quite so popular if they were charging £65?

Seriously, the important thing is that you join at least one of the organisations that we supporting shooting, as I said, there is plenty of choice so take your pick . I think the NGO have an excellent 'social network' as it were that works very well, SACS of course have their 'legal expenses cover' which some will be very attracted to - all associations have different features, strengths and benefits - choose the one(s) that suite you best.

It is a very good idea to look carefully at the wording on the insurance policies- good reading!

David

 

[willie_gunn]

+1 on that.

What you have to ask yourself when you take out a sub is whether you're buying insurance or you're supporting shooting/stalking. If the former, then seriously hunt through the small print for each organisation and choose the one that gives the cover that matches your specific circumstances - they are most definitely NOT all the same.

For example, as well as stalking I also beat/load/shoot during the shooting season and occasionally do the same abroad. I also fish and occasionally follow the foxhounds on foot, so I get my cover from both BASC and CA, since the BASC insurance specifically excludes hunting with dogs.

In reality the insurance, whilst important, is for me a relatively minor reason for supporting these organisations.

willie_gunn

 

[SC243]

I’m a member of BASC as I believe it provides the best voice for everyone involved in field sports. Having insurance through them is a great bonus as it has very comprehensive cover. I have also been considering joining SACS, not instead of, but along with my BASC membership. The more organisations speaking up for our sport the better, membership of these organisations is not just about insurance but representing our sport across the UK. (Oh, and with SACS you get discounted travel between Scotland and NI which for me is very useful ).
It is important to read the info and make up your own mind, I posted on this site a while ago asking peoples opinion on SACS and the thread was hijacked into a bickering match between people. Advice from others is grand but you’re as well to speak to the organisations you are considering joining.

 

[Dakaras]

BASC for my recreational shooting and I go through Bill Fountain for my work (Pest Control)

 

[Tayfix]

Well guys & Girls of cause, I have gone for N.G.O lets hope i never need to use it.
Thank you all very much for your imput.
Tayfix.

 

[TASR12]

No one has mentioned the BDS Insurance, any reason?

 

[Eurobolt]

S.a.c.s. 100%

 

[Timney]

S.a.c.s. 100%

Opted for SACS a couple of weeks ago as BASC due to expire end July, paid before end July by Paypal. Concerned that I would not be covered before 1st August I contacted SACS by email to confirm I am covered but have heard nothing back from them?? No documents received in the post yet either two weeks later. Am beginning to wonder whether I have made a mistake??
Timney

 

[deerstalker.308]

http://www.ccc3.org.uk/home I use these, £20 and you're away......unless anyone is going to shatter my illusions on this one and prove me wrong?

 

[flyfifer]

you may have to join bds to get insurance

 

[Eurobolt]

I would suggest a quick phone call to Ian Clark it should be on the bumph you picked up if not email me and I will send on,I am sure it will be sorted,If you have paid up front you will be covered,I paid up front and waited a bit for my docs to come thro.

 

[Timney]

I would suggest a quick phone call to Ian Clark it should be on the bumph you picked up if not email me and I will send on,I am sure it will be sorted,If you have paid up front you will be covered,I paid up front and waited a bit for my docs to come thro.

All sorted thanks Eurobolt, confirmation received from Ian today that am covered. Thanks for the assistance though, much appreciated.
Timney

 

[callie]

Still with the BASC, I was going to change but find the BASC, as I keep being told, is more than just about insurance .

 

[MrYou]

BASC, when you need their advice its their 101% i did a while ago , they were very precise.. plus their monthly magazine is great .. Who else puts so much back into parliment to lobby our sporting rights ??