Highlander Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Now I don’t want to start yet another debate about which organisations give the best deal, the cheapest deal etc so don’t go that route. My question is more fundamental… what do you think about shooting with or without insurance? I pose the question because I come across quite a lot of shooters who are not members of any field sports organisation and therefore probably do not have adequate insurances. I know some household policies cover sports BUT are they really suitable or specific enough for shooting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naddan28 Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 personally I dont have isurance at the moment. This is due to the fact I have been introduced to shooting by a family member, use on of his 300-400 acre farms with nobody on at all farm employees know where I am. Also the fact he owns or rents the vast majority of the village means I am always provided with a safe backstop even if something should go wrong I always have a 200-600m odd of fields between me and civilisation. However, when I go away from home to work next july, I will end up taking my air rifle with me at which point I will join basc (if not for my bday in march) as I may also end up taking up shotgun shooting. I only shoot with an air rifle what I deem to be 100% safe and a lot of time the landowner is with me, plus being family the potential problems are obviously a bit different. However, I soon as I move off his land/upgrade to a shotgun I would get insurance for both personal assurance and whoever has given me permission to shoot's piece of mind. Also I feel guilty about not being part of a representitive body like basc who will fight to allow our sport to continue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 I have been covered by "shooting insurance", which is the 3rd party, public liability insurance offered by most shooting organisations, for most of my adult life (over 30 years). I have never had the need to claim on that insurance and don't know anyone else who has. Although the policy usually includes "personal injury", the benefits are so poor, it is hardly worth considering. That insurance policy doesn't cover damage to, or loss of any shooting equipment. I have had one claim in this area and claimed on my household insurance. Should shooters have 3rd party, public liability insurance ? I believe they should, but shop around and get the cheapest available. Its interesting that once most shooting Clubs and Syndicates insisted their members had BASC public liability cover. That includes one Club that had membership of the BASC as a condition of joining. I have noticed that in the last few years that has changed to "any" cover, although you have to provide proof of cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter_HMR Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 I've only been shooting for the last three or so years and have never felt the need for it. I shoot in mostly rural areas only on land that i have permission for on my own or with my father and friend and make sure that every shot i take is safe. My guns are looked after and are secure when im not with them so why pay out money in insurance it cost around €600 altogether insurance is €70 a year and after 8 years shooting i'd have a new gun paid for. I will eventually be joining a gun club i just havent decided where and when i do i will probably get insurance included with that which isnt a bad idea because i would be shooting with people i dont know. Theres so much other costs to shooting and it starts adding up and this is one for me at the moment i dont think i need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Shooting without insurance is like saying "I don't have car insurance because I only drive aat 30mph on Sundays" You are less likely to have an accident but when it happens you are in trouble. Plus it has the added benefit of at least making it look like you know what you are doing, well that's my excuse anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holland&Holland Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 If i understand correctly: in Britain it is possible to shoot without insurance?? I find that strange. In the Netherlands and Germany when you aply for a hunting permit (after getting you're hunting diploma after one year studying and passing 2 theory exams and 3 practice exams ) you will have to have a insurance covering the use of firearms (shooting and hunting, but also transport etc..). Without insurance you can't even apply for a hunting permit (or in youre case a FAC i think). I think it makes sense to have an insurance which you will know covers all damage to goods and people and animals by you using a firearm. (other "normal" insurances over here will not cover that). It also gives the landowners more convidence to let you shoot on their ground if they know you are insured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonno 357 Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Shooting without insurance is like saying "I don't have car insurance because I only drive aat 30mph on Sundays"You are less likely to have an accident but when it happens you are in trouble. Plus it has the added benefit of at least making it look like you know what you are doing, well that's my excuse anyway. No it isn't Snakebite. Driving a car on the road without insurance is illegal- Fact Shooting in a field without insurance isn't- Fact I personally have NGO, BASC insurance. I also have house insurance which covers 3rd party Jonno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Its the old necessary evil thing, as with all insurance. You never think it will happen, but when it does by christ you will be very glad you had some cover - that is unless you can afford to pay out if someone makes a claim against you. If that claim is to do with them / something they own / an animal of theirs being shot or otherwise injured because of your shooting you will probably need more than simple 3rd party cover. You are going to need specialist legal help or you will get taken to the cleaners and probably end up loosing your sport. As said in the first post, this isn't about which is best, so I will leave which organisation I'd pick out of it. I wouldn't shoot with someone who wasn't covered by some insurance I approved of, end of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisNicholls Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 It is a condition of membership in my syndicate that all members and their guests must have insurance. I believe that anybody who shoots should have insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 So those of you that have no insurance because you don't need it as you are shooting on 400 acres plus of farmland obviously don't have any footpaths or public rights of way in any form running across it then? The mind boggles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naddan28 Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 So those of you that have no insurance because you don't need it as you are shooting on 400 acres plus of farmland obviously don't have any footpaths or public rights of way in any form running across it then? The mind boggles lol well where i shoot the public pathway runs along by the road or adjacent property, so why would I shoot near there?? lol Anyway I did state being new and shooting an AIR RIFLE with the land owner is a bit different to shooting a .243 on your own or a 12g on a big shoot. The odds on an air rifle causing any damage over 100 odd yards is unlikely. Again as stated I am planning on getting BASC or NGO just been tight for cash at the mo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 No it isn't Snakebite. Driving a car on the road without insurance is illegal- Fact Shooting in a field without insurance isn't- Fact Well I do realise that but for the purpose of illustration I used that story. I was kind of hoping that it would be taken in the manner it was meant. However we do agree that it is best to be insured so at least that's a start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 I wouldnt step in to any arena, be it acres of farmland, a range or clay shoot, without any liability insurance. The simple fact of the matter is that if you shoot without it and the unforseen happens, you could be in a very unstable financial postion for many years to come. Ofcourse, the level of insurance you wish to take is down to you, but like car insurance, at least get the essentials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 I am with Axe on this, I wouldn't shoot without insurance or shoot with someone who hasn't got insurance. I think the £50 or so a year is a small price to pay. How many of you would drive a car without insurance if it wasn't compulsory? I wouldn't as there is too many idiots on the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 lol well where i shoot the public pathway runs along by the road or adjacent property, so why would I shoot near there?? lol Anyway I did state being new and shooting an AIR RIFLE with the land owner is a bit different to shooting a .243 on your own or a 12g on a big shoot. The odds on an air rifle causing any damage over 100 odd yards is unlikely.Again as stated I am planning on getting BASC or NGO just been tight for cash at the mo. To a SAFE shooter the odds are exactly the same, wether it be air rifle, shotgun or .243. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Another slant on this is how many shooting guides/agents have insurance?? My guess is not many! My dad pays over £600 per year to insure his clients. If someone fell and injured themselves he is held liable, BASC insurance cover is not enough! Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted January 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Mmmm very interesting and as I thought most of you would agree that insurance is essential. It’s all very well those who don’t have it saying things like, I only ever and I’ve never made a mistake, and I don’t see any need ‘cause I’m a safe shot BUT accidents do happen and that’s when you’ll wish you had some cover. Personally I wouldn’t shoot with anyone that didn’t have insurance. MR not quite the same thing, business insurance v personal but I get your drift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkBoy Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 I've always had BASC insurance cover and wouldn't contemplate shooting without it. Even though I rarely get home to shoot in UK these days, when I do its with insurance coverage - my guide insists on it. So last year it cost me 57.00GBP for three days shooting - sounds expensive but if that is the cost of peace of mind for him and me then I'll pay it. Surely a pound a week is a small price to pay ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 I've got BASC insurance, I feel happier to know I'm covered if anything goes wrong. I had it even when I only shot an air rifle. It only takes some plank walking where they shouldn't be, to get a rebounding pellet in the eye (**** happens you know!) and there will be trouble! A friend of a friend shot a bloke in the *** with a 12g a while back (the guy was on top of some girl behing a hedge at the time and shouldn't have been there. It certainly ruined his fun ) and it was lucky he was covered because things got quite nasty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naddan28 Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 actually, out of curiosity would I be covered when shooting with the farmer on his own shoot (he has farm/game shoot)? Surely the fact he has insurance for guests would cover me anyway? Just been on the BASC site and it appears that they do student membership for £38. Now that is good, happy birthday from me to me early i think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30-6 Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 I personally have insurance (BASC), but know a lot of people who shoot who do not. I find it does give peace of mind just incase something does go wrong and have them on my side to fight my corner should I ever need to. Also I think it good to support shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted January 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 actually, out of curiosity would I be covered when shooting with the farmer on his own shoot (he has farm/game shoot)? Surely the fact he has insurance for guests would cover me anyway? Just been on the BASC site and it appears that they do student membership for £38. Now that is good, happy birthday from me to me early i think Ah ha sounds like we might have a convert well done that man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 So has anyone ever claimed on their insurance? or know someonw who has? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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