Previous Page
INSURANCE P
reviously, a member had written in with the following enquiry:
I have a potential class to run in a church hall. The church insists that public liability insurance from the users covers not only the class (i.e. while the class is running), but also the rest of the grounds, so that if someone has an accident moving from their car to the front door and they have a fall, then my insurance covers that too. My insurance is through you, and I am interested in understanding whether it would cover this kind of eventuality?
From our interpretation of the question, it appears that the church is insisting public liability insurance extends to include the grounds in addition to the hall and immediate area where the class is taking place. The example supplied requires that insurance is in place to cover the eventuality of an attendee sustaining some form of injury in a fall while walking from their vehicle to the door of the premises.
It has to be remembered that any liability insurance will only provide an indemnity if the insured is legally responsible for the injury or damage sustained. The fact that the REPs’ member is hosting a class at the church hall does not absolve the church of its responsibility to all visitors as
Am I covered? Our expert explains how far insurance goes
It seems fitting for an issue that includes content about the anniversary of REPs to revisit a continuing area of concern for members. Specifically, the extent to which a REPs’ member could be held liable for an incident which occurs when using hired premises, such as a village hall. Hopefully revisiting this topic will serve as a reminder to long-standing members and provide fresh insight to newer members.
the owners or “occupiers” of the hall and its grounds.
If an attendee tripped and suffered an injury as a result of a damaged paving slab then the member could not be held liable if they were unaware of the hazard. They have neither control over the condition of the paving nor any responsibility for its maintenance. The church could, however, be held liable. One would assume that the church has its own liability insurance arrangements in place but it is nevertheless
ADVERTISE IN THE REPS JOURNAL
Email newsletter circulation
Printed journal circulation
= 42,000 = 31,500
Offi cial journal of the Register of Exercise Professionals
For prices visit http://spxj.nl/MediaInfo or email support@sportex.net
www.exerciseregister.org REPsEighthFiller.indd 1 12/4/12 10:17:23 DavgarEighthAdREPs_0512.indd 1
Our range of CDs are inspired by the beautiful surroundings of the countryside, lakes, mountains and trees.
Whether you teach 1 class a week or run a studio DavGar Music provides the solution of fi nding beautiful ambient music for your classes. ● New titles are written and added regularly.
● 100% royalty free, no PPL or PRS licences needed
Beautiful Music
especially written for Pilates, Yoga,
Relaxation and Stretch For more information visit:
where you can listen before you buy Email: david-alty@hotmail.com
25 3/4/12 17:07:57 important to check this.
The member could be deemed liable if they were aware of the hazard and removed any warning sign that had been placed by the church. Similarly liability could attach to the member if they put up signs directing the attendees to their class so that they directly passed a known hazard. Ultimately this could be a decision for the Courts - rest assured, however, that if the member was found liable then the REPs’ Insurance Scheme
would engage as the liability has arisen during the course of their activities as an exercise professional. The fact that the incident occurred while the attendee was making their way to the class, rather than during the class itself, is irrelevant in these circumstances.
To find out more about the REPs’ Insurance Scheme please call 020 8686 6464 or visit www.exerciseregister.org Or if you have a specific query you’d like answered please send it to sarah.owen@skillsactive.com