Insurance

Having adequate insurance cover is vital for all city farms and community gardens. Groups will need both Public Liability Insurance (to cover visitors) and Employers’ Liability Insurance (to cover both employees and/or volunteers). An all risk policy and other specific insurances are advisable. A good overview on insurance for community farming and gardening groups can be found in chapter 13 of the FCFCG Starter Pack, available as a free download.

Getting the Right Deal

• Be clear about what you need insurance for, and of any factors you might adopt to reduce risk. For example, if you never use power tools you will not need insurance for that, and if your project has limited access to the general public that will probably reduce the premiums
• Produce your own list of what you might consider insuring before speaking with a broker or when contacting insurance companies direct
• Obtain several quotes for what you need and compare them; some will not cover particular items/activities, and others will have higher excesses (the first amount of any claim you pay yourself); insuring a few hundred pounds of power tools may not be worth it if the excess is similar to their value
• Find out where other groups get their insurance from (ask your local Council for Voluntary Service or other voluntary sector support organisation).

Further Information
Useful introductions to voluntary sector insurance are available from:

The London Voluntary Service Council

National Council for Voluntary Organisations

Please note that joining FCFCG as a member does not automatically entitle you to this or any other type of public liability insurance.

Public Liability Insurance brokerage

Towergate Underwriting Entertainment specialise in arranging insurance for the Leisure and Entertainment industry. It is able to offer individuals an insurance product specially designed for allotments, and community gardens. The cover provides up to £5m public liability allowing you to meet the requirements of most local authorities, with the addition of £10m employers liability for those sites that require cover for workers. Towergate can also arrange insurance cover for buildings and other services through other specialist divisions within the Towergate group. For a quotation or further information please contact Lynn Jennings or David Still 0113 391 9403 or 0113 391 9413 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it