Liability for Personal Accident Cover 

We have recently seen a few queries regarding Liability and Personal Accident insurance for RDA Groups.  We have referred these queries to our insurance brokers, Howden, who have provided the below advice.  If further clarity is required by any Groups, please contact Howden directly on 0203 577 950.   

Advice from Howden Insurance Brokers: 

The insurance for RDA Groups is a comprehensive insurance program which covers both public and employers liability and personal accident (other policies for trustee liability and legal expenses are also in place).   

RDA Groups have: 

• Employers liability insurance up to £10 million.  Therefore, if a volunteer or employee is injured as a result of the negligence of the Group and they make a claim against them, the Group will be covered for their legal liability to the injured party.  Employers liability is a legal requirement, and claims can often run into very large amounts for compensation and legal fees.  
• Public liability insurance up to £20 million for injuries to third parties, such as riders’ participants  or spectators, that are alleged to be due to the fault of an individual or the Group only. Therefore if a volunteer is held liable for an injury to a rider participant then both the individual who may be blamed for the accident and also the RDA Group, will be protected under the public liability policy. Insurers will pay the legal fees to defend the Group and the cost of any compensation if the Group or individual are found to be negligent. 
• Personal accident insurance protects volunteers and employees if they have an accident whilst volunteering/working for RDA.  ( Please note participants do not have access to personal accident cover under standard RDA group insurance).  

There does not need to be negligence involved in order to make a personal accident claim, the policy will cover any incident where an injury occurs that meets the criteria of the policy. There is a benefit of £30,000 for death and permanent disablement and a further benefit for temporary total disablement which covers loss of earnings up to £150 per week (after the first 7 days of disablement).   

Personal accident insurance policies can be very wide ranging.  Personal accident benefits can start at as little as £5,000 for death and disablement, up to hundreds of thousands, however the higher limits will be reflected in the premium paid.  RDA have chosen a meaningful level of cover which is mindful of balancing costs against benefits. 

RDA Groups can obtain additional personal accident cover if they choose to increase the benefits for their volunteers and employees either through Howden or another insurance provider.  We are happy to discuss this with any Groups who require additional cover.  For more information regarding the RDA insurance please visit the RDA Insurance Centre https://www.howdengroup.com/uk-en/riding-for-the-disabled