Insurance for use of Chainsaws for Brashing Paths etc.

[LesC]

I have been using a chainsaw for years on several areas I stalk on (unpaid), recently one landowner has asked me to get insurance, I have the relevant certificates, so I contacted SGA to see if My gamekeepers A insurance covers it, Lycett's are the insurer and they have said no.

I have had a look online and all insurance seems to be for companies I can't fine any for individuals doping nonprofit work? Anyone else had this issue and how did you resolve it?

 

[wytonpjs]

Must be a common issue for Nature Trusts, etc that are similarly reliant upon volunteers. I'm doing similar on one of my permissions and before the fallow season restarts, I need to clear around 15 wind blown trees across one track

 

[Mike1979]

Chainsaw Operator Insurance | Forestry & Tree Surgery Cover UK

Chainsaw operator insurance for self-employed chainsaw users, forestry contractors and tree surgeons. Liability, tools, personal accident and equipment cover available.

www.insure24.co.uk

Appreciate it may be outside what you are required to have but seems to cover a few related areas.

 

[Camdig]

Do you pay for a lease with landowner?
If there is no formal agreement and you are volunteering your services for deer management and habitat management then responsibility lands with landowner.
If you are paying the landowner you will have to insure yourself, either as a non profit or charity which is probably a whole host of paperwork that brings nothing to the table but costs.

 

[jall55]

Im pretty sure we are insured for this sort of work with BASC - i actually thought that was with Lycetts too - but you make me question now

 

[Heym SR20]

BaSC insurance covers “Conservation” and “Management” but only if you doing it on a recreational basis. So if you are brashing paths through woodland for purposes of wildlife management and conservation and you are doing so out of your own goodwill then you are covered.

However if you are doing so as part of your job, or will somehow earn an income from this ( ie you are cutting paths so that paying guests can stalk barefoot) then it won’t be.

 

[LesC]

Do you pay for a lease with landowner?
If there is no formal agreement and you are volunteering your services for deer management and habitat management then responsibility lands with landowner.
If you are paying the landowner you will have to insure yourself, either as a non profit or charity which is probably a whole host of paperwork that brings nothing to the table but costs.

I don't pay for a lease or receive any payment, I guess it's back to the landowner, both SGA and Specialist Arbo Insurers won't cover it?

 

[LesC]

Im pretty sure we are insured for this sort of work with BASC - i actually thought that was with Lycetts too - but you make me question now

Scottish Gamekeepers have aksed the insureres and this is what they said.

“After much deliberation, we feel that the use of a chainsaw to clear access paths is more than a basic conservation activity, and therefore not covered as a gamekeeping activity. It goes beyond the intent of the policy.

We appreciate ‘Conservation activity’ is quite a broad term, however the use of a chainsaw to clear access paths to high seats and removal of unwanted trees goes beyond the realms of a habitat improving conservation activity, and also beyond the activities of deer stalking.

 

[jall55]

Scottish Gamekeepers have aksed the insureres and this is what they said.

“After much deliberation, we feel that the use of a chainsaw to clear access paths is more than a basic conservation activity, and therefore not covered as a gamekeeping activity. It goes beyond the intent of the policy.

We appreciate ‘Conservation activity’ is quite a broad term, however the use of a chainsaw to clear access paths to high seats and removal of unwanted trees goes beyond the realms of a habitat improving conservation activity, and also beyond the activities of deer stalking.

Sounds crazy that
We all know culling deer is brilliant for habitat improvement and conservation

Suggest you ask BASC ? - I am sure they will cover you

 

[LesC]

BaSC insurance covers “Conservation” and “Management” but only if you doing it on a recreational basis. So if you are brashing paths through woodland for purposes of wildlife management and conservation and you are doing so out of your own goodwill then you are covered.

However if you are doing so as part of your job, or will somehow earn an income from this ( ie you are cutting paths so that paying guests can stalk barefoot) then it won’t be.

SGA have asked Lycetts they say its not covered.

“After much deliberation, we feel that the use of a chainsaw to clear access paths is more than a basic conservation activity, and therefore not covered as a gamekeeping activity. It goes beyond the intent of the policy.

We appreciate ‘Conservation activity’ is quite a broad term, however the use of a chainsaw to clear access paths to high seats and removal of unwanted trees goes beyond the realms of a habitat improving conservation activity, and also beyond the activities of deer stalking.

 

[LesC]

Sounds crazy that
We all know culling deer is brilliant for habitat improvement and conservation

Suggest you ask BASC ? - I am sure they will cover you

I think I will do that.

Chainsaw Operator Insurance | Forestry & Tree Surgery Cover UK

Chainsaw operator insurance for self-employed chainsaw users, forestry contractors and tree surgeons. Liability, tools, personal accident and equipment cover available.

www.insure24.co.uk

Appreciate it may be outside what you are required to have but seems to cover a few related areas.

They are all looking for a business name etc, when i say it's for an individual they won't quote.

 

[Dickie]

Could you do the work with a heavy duty strimmer? then when clear any chainsaw work the landowner could get sorted.

 

[Camdig]

I don't pay for a lease or receive any payment, I guess it's back to the landowner, both SGA and Specialist Arbo Insurers won't cover it?

You could go to landowner and ask them what their primary concerns are for the need for insurance, you are basically volunteering to do deer management and making your life easier by clearing a few paths.
You could probably purchase personal liability and public liability as an individual but will probably cost a few hundred for them.
Best to discuss concerns of landowner with him before making a decision.

 

[LesC]

Could you do the work with a heavy duty strimmer? then when clear any chainsaw work the landowner could get sorted.

I do use a strimmer for some parts, but a chainsaw is essential, the landowner does get contractors in, but it always needs a bit of fine tuning plus its very expensive, landowners don't see the value in these works unfortunately.

 

[Dickie]

I do use a strimmer for some parts, but a chainsaw is essential, the landowner does get contractors in, but it always needs a bit of fine tuning plus its very expensive, landowners don't see the value in these works unfortunately.

Yes but if you can't get insurance at reasonable cost or they won't cover you on their insurance then you're stumped.

 

[wytonpjs]

Yes but if you can't get insurance at reasonable cost or they won't cover you on their insurance then you're stumped.

 

[.25-06]

Silky Katanaboy 500-5 extra coarse, black folding saw

Silky Katanaboy 500-5 extra coarse, black folding saw: Blade length: 50 cm Total Length: 118 cm Weight: 943 gram

www.knivesandtools.co.uk

One of the above fixes a lot of problems. Your technique has to be spot on ...but yes, hand tools only.

 

[Penyard]

I’ve worked in insurance for a long time and am not surprised at the response from Lycetts but also disappointed at such a response. I know loads of deer managers and game keepers who routinely use a chainsaw as part of their daily duties. It may be worth putting a well constructed challenge in writing back to Lycetts.

I wouldn’t be taking too much advice on insurance on here!

I would also pose the same question to BASC and be disappointed if you didn’t receive a positive response.