Insurance

If you are carrying out activities or events that are within your Big Local funding proposals then your locally trusted organisation is responsible for ensuring that appropriate insurance cover is in place. This responsibility is included in the signed funding agreement between Local Trust and your locally trusted organisation for the activities that are to be funded.

The funding agreement states that:

you [the locally trusted organisation] must have adequate and appropriate insurance in place at all times which covers any assets you have purchased and employee and public liability.

If volunteers or others are running activities outside of Big Local that are not in the proposal forms, then you may not have the insurance in place to cover yourself and your activities. This will depend on various factors, including:

• where the activity/event is taking place (e.g. community centre or public land)
• who is organising or part organising the activity/event (e.g. local authority staff).

Some types of events and activities that you might want to carry out are litter picks, fun days, street parties, a visit to the seaside, or a gardening club – activities that are not being delivered by your locally trusted organisation.

Work with your rep and locally trusted organisation to determine the level of insurance cover you need for Big Local activities. If this is not already in place through your locally trusted organisation, you need to take a policy out to cover your activities.

If you do need to buy insurance you should make sure that you are covered for any claims that may be brought against you:

• if a volunteer should become injured
• because of the actions of a volunteer (for instance, if a volunteer adviser gave negligent advice).

You can use your Big Local funding to get the insurance you need.

No. Local Trust has insurance but it does not cover activities that take place in Big Local areas because we are not in charge of or in control of your activities.

Some research can help you decide what type of insurance you need. Here are two current examples of insurance – for individuals, your group and/or the Big Local partnership – which could provide the cover you need.

Zurich’s My Community Starter provides group cover for up to 10 organisers and 50 participants in total for an annual fee of £79.50 (including Insurance Premium Tax at current HMRC rate). Under this policy, the group would be covered against damages and claimant costs and expenses arising from:

• accidental bodily injury including death, illness and disease
• accidental damage to third party property as a result of a negligent act; or accidental error or accidental omission
• associated environmental clean-up costs, up to £1m (where you are at fault).

The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) offer members of the Community Network access to community group insurance through a scheme with Zurich. They also offer advice and support.