Insurance FAQ’s

Questions & Answers

Member-facing summary for guidance only

Important note This FAQ is intended to help members understand the Public Liability insurance arranged for members of the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation. It is only a summary. It does not replace the policy wording, policy schedule, Insurance Product Information Document, Verification of Insurance or any endorsement applying to the policy. Members should read the policy documents carefully for full details of cover, limits, conditions, exclusions and excesses. Where members are unsure, they should seek guidance from QPI Limited, who assisted the NGO with the insurance arrangements. The NGO does not itself provide insurance advice, underwrite insurance, sell insurance or administer claims.

Further questions These Questions & Answers are intended to address the most common member enquiries. They cannot cover every situation or set of circumstances. If your question is not answered below, or if you are unsure how the policy may apply to your own circumstances, please contact QPI Limited directly for guidance before relying on the cover.

1. General cover and activities

What insurance does NGO membership include?

NGO membership includes Public Liability insurance for eligible members, subject to the policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits. The Verification of Insurance confirms a £10,000,000 Public Liability limit and a £10,000,000 Employers’ Liability limit.

What is Public Liability insurance?

Public Liability insurance is intended to protect a member where they become legally liable for injury to another person, or damage to third-party property, arising from covered activities. It does not cover every incident, and it does not remove the need for members to act lawfully, responsibly and in accordance with the policy terms.

What activities are covered?

The policy applies to lawfully recognised gamekeeping, shooting and field sport activities endorsed by the NGO, subject to the policy terms. The Verification of Insurance lists the following membership activities:

• Driven shooting, walked-up shooting and rough shooting, including associated beating and picking-up activities.

• Wildfowling, including punt gunning.

• Clay pigeon shooting.

• Target shooting, including indoor ranges, archery and competitions.

• Deer management, including stalking.

• Vermin and pest control, excluding poisons.

• Fishing and angling, including sea fishing from the shoreline only.

• Tracking wounded deer with dogs.

• Controlled deer culling operated in accordance with current UK legislation.

• Field trials.

• Beating, loading and picking-up.

• Dog training.

• Syndicates where each individual member of the syndicate is a member of the NGO.

• Commonly recognised gamekeeping activities carried out in accordance with current UK Government regulations and policies.

• Social or fundraising events organised by or on behalf of the NGO, where written approval has been given by the NGO.

• Public Motor Highways extension, including humane dispatch.

Does the insurance cover both occupational and recreational activities?

Yes. The Verification of Insurance states that the membership activities include occupational and/or recreational activities, as agreed between the insured and the insurer. This is an important point for NGO members because many members may undertake gamekeeping, shooting or field sport activities as part of their occupation, duties or livelihood, rather than purely as recreation.

Is the cover limited to gamekeeping only?

No. The cover is not limited only to gamekeeping. It also includes a wide range of lawful shooting, shooting-related, field sport and countryside activities listed in the policy documents.

Does the policy cover pest control?

Yes. Vermin and pest control are included, but poisons are excluded.

Does the policy cover deer stalking and deer management?

Yes. The Verification of Insurance lists deer management, including stalking, tracking wounded deer with dogs, and controlled deer culling operated in accordance with current UK legislation.

Does the policy cover wildfowling and punt gunning?

Yes. Wildfowling, including punt gunning, is listed as a membership activity.

Does the policy cover boats?

Yes, subject to the policy terms. The policy schedule confirms an extension for members using motorised boats and punt gun boats, including small boats, yachts, pleasure craft and/or vessels up to a maximum waterline length of 15 metres, while used on inland waterways and while conducting membership activities.

Is shooting from boats covered?

Yes, where it falls within covered membership activities and policy conditions. Wildfowling including punt gunning is listed, and the schedule includes a small boats extension.

2. Territorial limits

Where does the Public Liability cover apply?

The Verification of Insurance states that the territorial limits for Public and Products Liability are worldwide excluding USA and Canada for occupational and recreational purposes, including Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands for occupational purposes.

Where does Employers’ Liability cover apply?

The Verification of Insurance states that the territorial limits for Employers’ Liability are Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

Is North America covered?

No. The Public and Products Liability territorial wording excludes the USA and Canada.

3. Membership, syndicates, guests and family

Is the insurance for individuals or companies?

The cover is for eligible NGO members as individuals. It does not provide commercial insurance for a limited company, partnership or other business entity. If a member operates through a company or other business structure, separate commercial insurance may be required.

Is my company covered if I am an NGO member?

No. NGO membership insurance does not automatically insure a company simply because the company owner, director or employee is an NGO member. Companies should arrange their own commercial insurance.

Are syndicates covered?

The policy includes syndicates where each individual member of the syndicate is a member of the NGO. The important point is that the insurance applies to eligible individual NGO members. It does not automatically insure a syndicate as a separate legal person.

Is a shooting syndicate a legal entity?

Not usually. A shooting syndicate is often simply a group of individuals who shoot together and share costs or shooting arrangements. A name alone does not make a syndicate a separate legal entity. Where a syndicate is formally constituted as a company, partnership, club or other organised body, separate insurance may be required.

If I am a syndicate member, am I covered when shooting outside the syndicate?

Yes, provided you are an eligible NGO member and the activity falls within the covered membership activities and policy terms. The cover follows the individual member, not just the syndicate activity.

Are guests covered?

Guests may be relevant in different ways. A guest who is injured by an insured NGO member may be treated as a third party, subject to the policy terms. Where a guest is shooting, cover should only be assumed where the guest is directly supervised by the NGO member and is using the member’s firearm. Guests using their own firearms should not be assumed to be covered under this policy. Members should seek guidance from QPI Limited if they are unsure.

Are family members covered if injured by the policyholder?

Family members living with the policyholder may not be treated as third parties in the same way as unrelated members of the public. Members should not assume that injury to a family member living with them is covered. The policy wording should be checked and QPI Limited should be consulted if clarification is needed.

Are children covered?

Members should check the current policy wording before allowing children or young people to participate in any insured activity. As a cautious summary, no cover should be assumed for participants under the age of 15 unless accompanied and supervised by a licensed person aged 21 or over, in accordance with the policy terms.

4. Employers’ Liability

Does the policy include Employers’ Liability?

Yes. The Verification of Insurance confirms an Employers’ Liability limit of £10,000,000 per occurrence.

Does Employers’ Liability apply only to the NGO?

No. Our working understanding is that Employers’ Liability may apply where a member engages someone in connection with covered activities, subject to the policy wording and territorial limits. Members should seek guidance from QPI Limited if they engage beaters, loaders, pickers-up, casual workers or volunteers and are unsure how the policy applies.

Are beaters covered?

They may be, depending on the circumstances. If a beater is engaged by a member, Employers’ Liability may be relevant. If a beater is injured by the actions of a member and is treated as a third party, Public Liability may be relevant. The correct position depends on the facts of the incident.

Are loaders covered?

Loaders may be treated as employees or workers for Employers’ Liability purposes, depending on how they are engaged and the circumstances. Members should not assume the position without checking the policy wording or seeking guidance.

Are pickers-up covered?

Pickers-up may be covered under Employers’ Liability or Public Liability depending on whether they are engaged by the member or are injured as a third party.

Are volunteers covered?

Volunteers may be treated similarly to employees for Employers’ Liability purposes in some circumstances. Members should ask QPI Limited for guidance if relying on volunteers.

5. Dogs

Are my dogs insured?

No. The policy should not be described as insurance for your dog. The relevant cover is Public Liability cover. This may respond if a member becomes legally liable for injury to another person or damage to third-party property caused by the member’s dog, subject to the policy terms, exclusions and excess.

Are injuries to my own dog covered?

No. Your own dog is not insured under this Public Liability policy.

Are injuries to third-party dogs covered?

This needs care. Liability involving dogs may be covered where the member is legally liable, but dog-on-dog attacks and dog fighting are excluded under the schedule wording.

What excess applies to dog-related claims?

The Verification of Insurance states that the Public Liability policy has a £250 excess for each loss in respect of third-party property damage. It also states that the excess increases to £450 or 20%, whichever is greater, for any loss involving a member’s dog or a guest’s dog under the Public Liability section.

Are dog-on-dog attacks covered?

The schedule excludes incidents arising out of dog-on-dog attacks and/or dog fighting.

6. Firearms, ammunition and equipment

Are firearms covered?

The policy is Public Liability insurance. It is not insurance for loss of or damage to a member’s firearm. Liability arising from lawful use of firearms during covered activities may be covered, subject to the policy terms.

Are air rifles covered?

Air rifles may fall within covered shooting activities where legally owned and used, but members should check the policy wording and any legal requirements applying to the particular activity.

Are black powder firearms covered?

Black powder firearms should only be used where lawfully owned, licensed and used. Members should seek guidance if unsure, particularly because firearms, ammunition and explosives are subject to specific legal and policy restrictions.

Does the policy cover the sale or supply of firearms, shotguns, ammunition or explosives?

No, not as a general position. The schedule excludes Products Liability arising from the direct or indirect sale, supply, loan or transfer of firearms, shotguns, ammunition, munitions or explosives and associated items and equipment.

Does the policy cover repair, servicing or reconditioning of firearms?

The schedule includes a firearms exclusion referring to servicing, repair or reconditioning. Members involved in firearms dealing, repair, servicing or supply should arrange separate specialist insurance.

Are trailers covered?

Vehicle-related liability, including trailers where road traffic legislation applies, should not be assumed to be covered. The IPID states that liability for which compulsory motor insurance or security is required under road traffic legislation is not insured.

Are ATVs, quads or UTVs covered?

The policy should not be relied on for motor vehicle liability where compulsory road traffic insurance is required. Members using ATVs, quads, UTVs or other vehicles should arrange appropriate motor or specialist vehicle insurance.

Are high seats covered?

This depends on the facts. If a claim arises from a member’s negligence in connection with a high seat during covered activities, the policy may need to be considered. However, liability for high seats may also rest with landowners, estates, shoot operators or others depending on ownership, maintenance and control. Members should seek guidance where high seats are used as part of their activities.

7. Products Liability, food and meat sales

Does the policy include Products Liability?

Yes. The Verification of Insurance refers to Public Liability and Products Liability insurance under Sections A and B of the shooting insurance policy.

Does Products Liability cover the sale of venison or game meat?

Members should not assume that the sale or supply of game meat is covered. The earlier FAQ material states that product liability relating to food or meat is excluded and requires specialist commercial insurance. Members who sell, supply or process venison, game meat or other food products should arrange separate cover and comply with all food hygiene and regulatory requirements.

Is supplying carcasses to friends or the public covered?

No. Members should not assume that supplying carcasses, venison or game meat to friends, the public, restaurants, dealers or others is covered. Specialist commercial insurance may be required.

8. Humane dispatch and public highways

Is humane dispatch covered?

Yes, subject to the policy terms. The Verification of Insurance lists a Public Motor Highways extension for humane dispatch. The schedule explains that the Public Highways Extension applies to authorised persons only and relates to humane dispatch and removal of deer and other wildlife carcasses from public highways following road traffic accidents, where requested and under the authorisation and/or jurisdiction of the police.

Can I dispatch or remove deer from a public highway on my own initiative?

No. The schedule states that the extension does not allow cover for dispatch or removal of deer or wildlife from a public highway at the member’s own liberty. It applies only at the specific authorisation of the police.

9. Social events, training events and fundraising

Are NGO social or fundraising events covered?

The Verification of Insurance includes any social or fundraising event organised by or on behalf of the NGO, where written approval has been given by the NGO.

Are events arranged by individual members covered?

Members should not assume that events they personally arrange are automatically covered. If a member organises an event, shoot, training day, fundraising activity, demonstration or similar activity, they should check with QPI Limited before relying on the NGO policy.

Are country fairs and game fairs covered?

The IPID states that country fairs and game fairs are not insured unless notified to and accepted for each event. Members should seek confirmation before attending or organising events where cover may be needed.

10. Key exclusions and restrictions

What are the main exclusions members should be aware of?

The following are examples of important exclusions or restrictions. This is not a full list. Members must read the policy wording for the complete terms.

• Use of poisons in pest control.

• Dog-on-dog attacks or dog fighting.

• Cyber and data liability.

• Sale, supply, loan or transfer of firearms, shotguns, ammunition, munitions or explosives.

• Firearms products liability, including certain issues around non-compliant items, sales to non-licensed holders, design/specification errors, servicing, repair or reconditioning.

• Abuse, whether actual or alleged.

• Liability covered elsewhere.

• Motor vehicle liability where road traffic insurance is required.

• Food/meat product liability.

• Deliberate, malicious or intentional acts.

• Pollution, unless arising from a sudden, identifiable, unintended and unexpected incident.

• Country fairs and game fairs unless notified and accepted.

• Age-related restrictions for young participants.

Does the policy cover intentional acts?

No. Public Liability insurance is not intended to insure deliberate wrongdoing or intentional injury/damage. If a member deliberately causes injury or damage, cover may be refused.

How are poacher-related claims handled?

If a poacher or trespasser alleges injury caused by an NGO member, the policy may need to be considered depending on the facts. However, deliberate or intentional acts are not covered. Members should never assume that intentional harm caused to a poacher or trespasser would be insured.

Does the policy cover pollution?

Pollution is restricted. The IPID says pollution is not covered except where it arises from a sudden, identifiable, unintended and unexpected incident.

11. Legal defence and certificate matters

Does NGO Public Liability insurance cover revocation of a firearms or shotgun certificate?

No. The NGO Public Liability insurance does not cover the legal costs of appealing the revocation of a firearms or shotgun certificate.

What protection is available for certificate revocation?

Members who want specialist legal defence protection for firearms or shotgun certificate revocation should consider Aegis Protect Shoot, formerly known as Side by Side Insurance. Aegis Protect Shoot is a separate insurance product. It is not part of the NGO Public Liability insurance. Members should visit www.aegisprotect.co.uk or contact QPI Limited for guidance.

Is Aegis Protect Shoot a discretionary fund?

No. Aegis Protect Shoot is intended to be an insurance product, not a discretionary association fund. Members should review the Aegis Protect Shoot policy terms carefully before purchasing.

12. Claims and administration

How do I prove I am insured?

Members may use their NGO membership card and/or the Verification of Insurance document, where appropriate. The Verification of Insurance states that it is provided as a matter of information only and does not make the person or organisation to whom it is issued an additional assured, nor does it modify the insurance contract.

How do I make a claim?

Members should notify claims promptly and must not admit liability, negotiate or agree to settle a claim without insurer consent. The schedule states that claims should be notified as soon as possible and gives a claims helpline of 01325 385340. For guidance, members should contact QPI Limited.

Who should members contact for insurance guidance?

Members should contact QPI Limited. For the attention of Peter Blackmore. Telephone: 07908 600739. Email: info@aegisprotect.co.uk.

Should members contact the NGO for insurance advice?

No. The NGO is not the insurance adviser and does not provide insurance advice. The NGO has arranged the cover for members with advice from QPI Limited. Members should contact QPI Limited for guidance on insurance questions.

Are there extra fees?

The insurance benefit is included as part of NGO membership. However, members may be responsible for any applicable policy excess or deductible. The Verification of Insurance confirms a £250 excess for each and every loss in respect of third-party property damage, and an increased excess of £450 or 20%, whichever is greater, for losses involving a member’s dog or a guest’s dog.

What should I do if I receive a claim, solicitor’s letter or allegation?

Do not admit liability. Do not offer payment. Do not negotiate settlement. Notify the matter promptly and seek guidance from QPI Limited.

What happens if I fail to comply with the policy terms?

The schedule warns that members must comply with the policy terms and conditions. If failure to comply causes or contributes to injury or damage, or otherwise disadvantages the insurer, the insurer may refuse to make payment.

13. Final reminder

This FAQ is only a guide. The policy wording, schedule, IPID, endorsements and Verification of Insurance take precedence. Members should read the policy documents carefully and contact QPI Limited if they require guidance.

QPI Limited For the attention of: Peter Blackmore Telephone: 07908 600739 Email: info@aegisprotect.co.uk

Document basis

This draft FAQ has been prepared by consolidating the QPI Verification of Insurance, the policy schedule, the IPID, and the earlier NGO/GEO FAQ review documents supplied for reference. It is intended for review before publication or circulation to members.