Public Liability Insurance

A Registered, Partner, Honorary and Junior member of the BBKA is covered by the insurance policy that the BBKA takes out for our members.  The Public & Product Liability Policy relates to beekeeping activities of members in the UK and has a £10,000,000 limit of liability.

A Public & Product Liability Policy confirmation letter is available for members attending farmers markets etc., where proof of cover is required.  This should be shown in conjunction with your receipt for BBKA membership emailed to you by your membership secretary.

Please go to the BBKA News website: bbkanews.com  to access the insurance documents - you will need your membership number and postcode to login and register.  The insurance documents can be found in the BBKA Documents section.

Officer Insurance

I am a Treasurer of my local branch, am I covered for any claims against me as a branch official as opposed to in my beekeeping activities?

The BBKA policy includes what is commonly referred to as ‘Trustees Liability’ cover for all officials of the BBKA, associations and branches affiliated to the BBKA. It does not matter whether your organisation is a charity or not for this cover.  The amount covered is £2,000,000, with no applicable excess. 

Are Area Associations and branches covered for Public Liability Insurance if we want to hire a hall for a beekeeping meeting/training or attend a public event such as a local show? 

Yes, up to a limit of £10 million.   Associations that are registered charities or CIOs, although legal entities in their own right, are still covered.

Bee Diseases Insurance

BDI is a member organisation, separate to the BBKA, made up of Member Associations. The minimum payable by each Member Association to BDI Ltd, as a condition of membership, is £2 per annum for each of its beekeeping members which insures 1-3 colonies.

BDI should not be confused with the insurance provided by the BBKA as part of its Registered Membership package. (See Public Liability Insurance page).

BDI insurance becomes effective each year from the time that the member's association receives his or her membership subscription and any additional BDI premium is received. Premiums are paid in respect of the calendar year, 1st January to 31st December, irrespective of the date on which they are actually paid. However, cover will not commence until 40 days have elapsed from the payment of the premium, where such payment is made after 31st March. This is known as the 40-day rule.

Beekeeping members can insure more colonies for the following additional premiums:
Up to 5 colonies (including the basic three) an additional £1.20
Up to 10 colonies (including the basic three) an additional £4.70
Up to 15 colonies (including the basic three) an additional £7.75
Up to 20 colonies (including the basic three) an additional £9.50
Up to 25 colonies (including the basic three) an additional £11.10
Up to 30 colonies (including the basic three) an additional £13.60
Up to 35 colonies (including the basic three) an additional £16.20
Up to 39 colonies (including the basic three) an additional £18.10

Please consult your Association Treasurer,  or the designated Association member who deals with BDI subscriptions.

Direct members of the BBKA wanting to increase their BDI insurance cover should contact [email protected]

To find out more about BDI Ltd please visit their website: Bee Diseases Insurance

BDI Insurance only covers England and Wales. (Scotland and Northern Ireland have differing levels of inspection, which are not under the jurisdiction of DEFRA)

All Risks Insurance for Beekeeping Equipment

Please note that unfortunately this insurance scheme has been discontinued. 

The BBKA All Risks Insurance was arranged with the unique buying power of the BBKA’s 25,000+ members. However, over the period since it began, less than 2% of members bought the cover. In addition, claims were relatively high in relation to premiums.

Howden Insurance (formerly Aston Lark) can still offer BBKA Members cover, on one of two routes:

For local Associations, Branches and Beekeepers with a lot of equipment, Howden Insurance can quote on a bespoke basis with a specially selected and adapted policy with Hiscox. However, the minimum cost will increase to at least £140.  Please contact David Hudson:  [email protected] 

For hobby beekeepers Howden Insurance suggest you have a discussion with your household insurers with the aim of adapting your insurance cover to include hives in the open and other insurance covers that may not automatically be catered for.  If they are unable to assist, Howden Insurance has negotiated facilities that will give most of, or all the insurance cover, you may require on one or more of their own Household Insurance policies but they can only do so by arranging all your Household cover (not just beekeeping equipment).

Howden Insurance would be very pleased to hear from you if you would like a Household Insurance quotation, including beekeeping equipment, please contact: 

[email protected]   0161 830 1281
or
[email protected]     0161 830 1283

www.howdengroup.com/uk-en  
3 Parsonage, Manchester, M3 2HW