Frequently Asked Questions for Gold and Equestrian Members
- What insured activities am I permitted to take part in as a member of the Countryside Alliance?
- What is meant by ancillary activities, which I am also insured to participate in?
- Do the Countryside Alliance insurances carry any age restrictions?
- What significant exclusions apply to the insurances?
- Will the Liability insurance cover my occupation?
- I sometimes take part in activities abroad, am I still covered?
- If an individual member is taking part in a recognised activity on land, where a third party is injured, and the injured party were to claim against the landowner instead of or as well as the Countryside Alliance member, whose insurance would the claim fall under?
- Does the policy cover my pets and horses?
- I sometimes sell the animals I shoot to third parties for personal consumption. Is any cover provided?
- If I am involved in an incident involving a motor vehicle, will this be covered?
- Am I covered whilst fishing in a boat?
- I am involved in coaching others in a Countryside Alliance recognised activity, am I covered?
- Does the insurance cover loss or damage to my shooting, fishing or other equipment?
- If I am out shooting and someone else, who is not a member of the Countryside Alliance, injures me, where do I stand?
- I have damaged a third party’s car whilst out riding. Will I have to pay any excess if I am found liable?
- If an individual member is taking part in a recognised activity on farmland, where a third party is injured, and the injured part were to claim against the landowner instead of or as well as the Countryside Alliance member, whose insurance would the claim fall under?
- How does group membership differ to that of an individual membership?
If there are any queries not covered by these FAQs, then please contact us.
What insured activities am I permitted to take part in as a member of the Countryside Alliance?
Click here to see a list of the legally recognised activities. Please note: If you are joining or renewing your affiliation to the Countryside Alliance in 2020, there has been significant changes to the list of insured activities, so please read the information carefully.
What is meant by ancillary activities, which I am also insured to participate in?
Click here to see a list of the ancillary activities. Please note: If you are joining or renewing your affiliation to the Countryside Alliance in 2020, there has been significant changes to the list of insured activities, so please read the information carefully.
Do the Countryside Alliance insurances carry any age restrictions?
There is no upper or lower age restriction in relation to the Public Liablity insurance.
(For those remaining eligible for Personal Accident benefits (having joined the Countryside Alliance or renewed their insurance in 2019) the maximum age is 79 years.)
What significant exclusions apply to the insurances?
A significant exclusion has been added for those who are joining the Countryside Alliance or renewing their insurance in 2020.
- Competitive riding events
- Property in member's custody or control
- The insured person participating in any sport as a professional
- Competitive riding events other than team chasing, hunter trials, showing and dressage
- Pony Club and gymkhana activities undertaken by any member aged 19 or over
- The carrying on of any trade business or profession where it is the member’s principal source of income
- Fundraising activities which include bungee jumping or activities involving bungee ropes or cords, fireworks or other forms of pyrotechnics, rock climbing, mountaineering or orienteering, obstacle courses, “It’s a Knockout” type competitions, swimming or diving in any body of water including swimming, baths, pools, ponds, lakes rivers and the sea
- Liability arising from non-compliance of the provisions contained in the Firearms Act(s)
- Motor Liability where such liability requires compulsory insurance by legislation governing the use of such motor vehicle or trailer
- Aviation or Marine Liability (but not watercraft less than 25 metres in length for use in inland waterways or up to twelve miles offshore not owned but being used for entertainment purposes)
Will the Liability insurance cover my occupation?
No, Countryside Alliance membership insurance does not provide cover for any activity, even if the activity is a Countryside Alliance recognised activity, which you rely upon as your principal source of income. This does however mean that if you are assisting with a recognised activity and receiving payment for doing so (such as beating at a shoot) cover will be provided as long as the activity is not your principal source of income.
I sometimes take part in activities abroad, am I still covered?
Yes, world-wide cover is provided for a member taking part in a Countryside Alliance recognised activity abroad. Members’ resident outside of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland are only covered whilst participating in a Recognised Activity in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Please note there is no cover for shooting activities of any kind undertaken in USA/Canada.
If an individual member is taking part in a recognised activity on land, where a third party is injured, and the injured party were to claim against the landowner instead of or as well as the Countryside Alliance member, whose insurance would the claim fall under?
If an injured party chooses to sue a landowner following an incident occurring on their land, caused by a member, it is likely that the landowners insurers would look to defend liability and re-direct the plaintiff’s claim in the direction of the member’s policy. The membership insurance policy includes an extension to indemnify a landowner or owner of sporting rights in connection with a recognised activity undertaken by a member.
Does the policy cover my pets and horses?
The Countryside Alliance membership insurance does not provide any cover for injury to or death of the animal itself.
It is strongly recommended that members with pets or horses take out specific Pet or Equine insurance. Such a policy can be designed to cover a wide range of risks and almost without exception would include liability cover to protect the owner of the pet or horse should the animal cause injury to a third party or damage third party property at any time.
Where specific insurance has not been arranged the Countryside Alliance Membership Insurance provides Liability insurance only whilst the members and his or her animal are participating in a Countryside Alliance Recognised Activity.
I sometimes sell the animals I shoot to third parties for personal consumption. Is any cover provided?
Cover will be provided if the product is sold to a local shop or an individual as long as such activity is not relied upon as your principal source of income.
If I am involved in an incident involving a motor vehicle, will this be covered?
The policy will exclude any liability claims arising in circumstances where a Certificate of Motor Insurance is required, but otherwise cover will apply if in connection with a Recognised Activity.
Am I covered whilst fishing in a boat?
If you are fishing in a boat, the owner of the boat should have separate insurance in force covering any damage to the boat and any liability arising from the boat itself. For instance, colliding with another boat and causing damage.
The Countryside Alliance membership insurance covers liability in connection with a watercraft whilst a member is undertaking a recognised activity as long as the watercraft does not exceed 20 metres in length and is used in inland waterways or up to twelve miles offshore.
I am involved in coaching others in a Countryside Alliance recognised activity, am I covered?
Yes, coaching would be classed as participating in the recognised activity and so liability arising therefrom would be covered as long as the coaching activity is not relied upon by the member as their principal source of income.
Does the insurance cover loss or damage to my shooting, fishing or other equipment?
No, such equipment can be most appropriately insured under the All Risks section of a Home Contents policy. For a competitive quotation at your next renewal call Howden UK Group on 01234 311255.
If I am out shooting and someone else, who is not a member of the Countryside Alliance, injures me, where do I stand?
That person may not be insured! That being the case it is much safer to ensure that everyone you shoot with is encouraged to join the Countryside Alliance!
I have damaged a third party’s car whilst out hunting. Will I have to pay any excess if I am found liable?
No, the Membership Insurance policy is not subject to any excess. (However, please remember, unless you are a Gold Countryside Alliance member insurance for equestrian activity only extends to hunting and no other form of riding.)
If an individual member is taking part in a recognised activity on farmland, where a third party is injured, and the injured part were to claim against the landowner instead of or as well as the Countryside Alliance member, whose insurance would the claim fall under?
If an injured party chooses to sue a landowner following an incident occurring on their land, caused by a member, it is likely that the landowners insurers would look to defend liability and redirect the plaintiff’s claim in the direction of the member’s policy. The membership insurance policy includes an extension to indemnify a landowner or owner of sporting rights in connection with a recognised activity undertaken by a member.
How does group membership differ to that of an individual membership?
The membership insurance policy is intended to provide coverage for a group for the broad range of activities typically undertaken by that group (subject to policy terms, conditions and exceptions). It is also recognised that in the vast majority of cases the group will be an informal body of individuals with no legal status, therefore the extra breadth of cover provided to the group “entity” automatically extends to the named individuals that make up that group member including the officers of the group.
Examples of typical extra activities covered by our policy that a group could be involved in beyond the specifics of simply carrying out a recognised activity are summarised as follows:
- Administration and officer/committee meetings
- Maintenance activities
- Conservation activities
- Ownership of property and/or land
- Fundraising activities – with specific exclusions as detailed in the policy and cover summary
- Exhibiting, participating, demonstrating at country fairs and similar events
- Social events
- Competitions and events
- Coaching