Marshals

Insurance Cover for Marshals

The following notes have been extracted from the MSA's Blue Book.
Section W - The MSA effects Master Insurance Policies only in respect of public liability and personal accident risks and this cover applies to all events held under permit or for which an exemption for permit is granted. The policies are arranged through Bradstock Insurance Brokers Limited, Manchester and copies of them may be seen on application to the MSA Company Secretary at Motor Sports House, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, Slough.
Who is protected ? The Master Policy protects an organising or promoting club and its officials for their potential legal liability to third parties injured or whose property is damaged following an accident arising from the holding of an event. This term includes official practice and associated activities necessary to an event (such as setting up a course for a speed event). The cover additionally protects officials (not necessarily officials of an organising club), or sponsors of an event or of races or championships within the event.
What is Protected ? Events organised by clubs held under Permit or Certificate of Exemption, and also marshals training days subject to prior notification and approval.
What is Not Protected ? Events not held under Permit or Certificate of Exemption are not covered, neither are any Record Attempts nor attractions other than the normal competition, such as flying displays or vehicle demonstrations, unless details have been submitted and approval granted by the Insurers. It should be understood that demonstrations and other such attractions are not automatically covered by the MSA Policies and need to be notified to Brokers.
Approval will normally be given for the demonstration of competition vehicles powered by conventional engines, and with drivers wearing crash helmets, provided the type of vehicle is permitted for competition purposes by the terms of the track licence.
Social events run by clubs are not insured under this policy though Bradstocks will be able to assist clubs requiring legal liability cover for other club activities, or special attractions.
Events abroad are not covered without special arrangement.
Section W2 - Personal Accident - The duties of many officials take them close to the "scene of the action" and consequently into an area of relatively greater danger. However they voluntarily carry out their duties and legally thereby accept the additional risk inherent in the job which thus limits any remedy at law available to the official should injury occur.
Section W2.1 - Officials - Recognising this the MSA has effected personal accident insurance applying at events held under Permit or Certificate of Exemption. Personal accident policies pay the pre-agreed levels of benefit to persons injured if an accident occurs within the terms of the policy. Such benefits are not dependent in any way on who was responsible for the accident nor is any apportionment of blame required.
Who is Covered ? - All signed-on officials at events held under Permit or Certificate of Exemption. The signing-on of officials at events is most important in that one of the purposes of this is to identify a person as an official of the event and consequently to establish right to benefit under this personal accident policy. Cover for officials includes travelling directly from home to an event and directly back home again from the event.
What are the Benefits ? - The benefits payable under the personal accident policy are at the discretion of the MSA up to the following maxima :-
Death
£65,000
Loss of two limbs or the sight of two eyes or loss of one limb and the sight of one eye
£65,000
Permanent total disablement
£65,000
Loss of one limb or the sight of one eye
£32,500
per week during temporary total disablement limited to 104 weeks
up to £225
The phrase "loss of" is deemed to include total and irrecoverable loss of use.
The reason why lesser amounts may be payable than the above sums is that it is not permissible to permit an individual to make profit from an insurance claim. The policy necessarily covers a wide range of individuals with very different circumstances and it would obviously be wrong for example to pay £225 per week in temporary total disablement to someone who earns substantially less than this in normal circumstances. The weekly benefit is related directly to an individuals income and will make allowance for tax and National Insurance.
Claims - In the event of any accident involving injury to a spectator or official, or damage to third party property, a full report must be made to the MSA and Bradstock Insurance Brokers Limited as soon as possible. Delay in reporting could result in the Insurer's refusal to deal with a claim if their position had been prejudiced. In the unlikely event of an injury being fatal, this report must be made by telephone, as it may be necessary to attend the inquest.
Officials must report possible claims to the Event Organising Club as soon as possible. The club will ensure that the requirements of the above paragraph are carried out expeditiously.