British Canoeing is working with Bluefin Sport to provide a holistic general insurance solution. The insurance covers members, coaches, volunteers and clubs.

Each of the sections below outlines what is covered. The Insurance Certificates can be downloaded at the end of the page.  For copies of the policy documents please contact the Membership Team by emailing [email protected]

What is Covered

By being a member of British Canoeing, Scottish Canoe Association, Canoe Association of Northern Ireland and Canoe Wales either as members, officials, committee members, coaches, coach educators or volunteers you are entitled to general insurance to protect you and provide peace of mind.

Individual Members’ Cover

All individual members of British Canoeing, Scottish Canoe Association, Canoe Association of Northern Ireland and Canoe Wales are covered for Public and Products Liability Insurance.

This provides cover that protects a member if they cause an accident injuring or damaging someone else or someone else’s property. Compensation is paid from the insurers to the person pursuing the claim with the injury/damage so the member does not have to pay. The member will only pay the excess if a claim for damage to property is successfully made against you.

Members have £10 million in liability cover.  British Canoeing is insured with 2 providers; the main insurer and initial underwriter of any claims will be Hiscox. The RSA policy will only trigger if a claim incurs in excess of a £5m underwrite provision.

The insurance will pay up to the limit of indemnity for claims against you arising from:

• Bodily injury or property damage
• Trespass or nuisance
• False arrest or malicious prosecution

We will also pay:

• For defence costs incurred, with our agreement
• Criminal defence costs
• Costs of replacing locks, keys and electronic pass keys if you lose any key or pass card to a third party’s premises

Coaches’ Cover

Coaches are provided with insurance cover as individual members (see above for cover details). They also benefit from Professional Indemnity insurance cover.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Professional Indemnity insurance is cover that protects coaches who provide advice or a service to the people they are coaching. It protects coaches against legal costs and claims for damages to third parties which may arise out of an act, omission or breach of their professional duty in the course of their coaching.

This only applies if the coach is legally responsible for the accident directly or indirectly through their coaching instruction. Compensation is paid from the insurers to the person with the injury/damage so the coach does not have to pay. The coach will only pay the excess if a claim for damage to property is successfully made against you.

• Indemnity Limit of £10 million for any one occurrence.
• To be entitled to this extension of cover, coaches will need to be current and updated.
• The policy has a turnover limit of £25,000; if you earn over this amount you will need additional cover.

Club Associates

Members of affiliated clubs are insured for recognised sessions and activities of the club. However, these club members will not be insured if they are paddling at other times.

If you think you will be paddling outside of sessions organised by your club you will need to purchase your own membership from the National Association where you live.

How To Claim 

If you are involved in an incident, please make sure you gather the following information as it can help with a claim:

• Date and time of the incident
• Details of those involved, including any witnesses (name and contact details)
• Location where the incident occurred
• A brief description of the incident

If you are involved in an incident likely to give rise to a claim, or if you have any questions about the general insurance provided please contact Natalie Wale either by phone or email:

Telephone: 0345 872 5060 or 07392 123835
Email: [email protected]

Useful Documents