Business Continuity Planning Webinar

Our Account Executive Ralph Doe will be delivering a Business Continuity Planning webinar session for Institute for Outdoor Learning as part of their Spring programme of online webinars.

Full details of the event can be found on this flyer and is free to IOL Members.  There is a cost for Non Members of IOL to attend.

 

Business Continuity Planning one pager

 

Paddleboard Sentencing – HCR Law Update

Our colleagues at HCR Law have provided the following update regarding the recent paddleboard sentencing.

HCR_Lloyd sentencing

AIM Spring 2025 On Target Newsletter

With huge thanks to all who contributed this year, including our Members Hafod Trails and Bryntysilio we are proud to release the Spring 2025 edition of our On Target Newsletter which contains some fabulous features.

Highlights include:-

  • Member Focus 
    This year we have spoken to Hafod Trails and Bryntysilio Residential Centre.  They both gave a fascinating insight into how they operate and considerations for the season ahead and beyond.  We are always interested in talking to Members from all sectors to demonstrate the diversity of the Mutual and how we work to help them.  We also use these profiles on our social media and website so if you would like us to interview you please get in touch.
  • Claims Team Update 
    How the AIM Claims team works hard for you when you need them most.
  • Legal Update 
    Featuring recent case studies and legal news that affect the industry and business owners.
  • Generational Inclusion study 
    Following the Member Event in February 2025 some more information on how generational inclusion can be transferred to your business.

We hope you enjoy the read and if you have any questions please email [email protected]

AIM-Newsletter-spring2025-Digital

https://www.activitiesindustrymutual.co.uk/aim-newsletter-spring-2025/

Benefits of the Mutual – Facts

We started thinking about what makes us different to a traditional insurance provider and why should activity providers consider us over any other, lets face it there’s plenty of options out there.

Here’s just a few benefits of being part of the Mutual.

  • AIM is a Mutual – like a co operative where the Mutual is owned by the Members, for the Members.  Membership offers a network of likeminded providers working towards a common goal.  Members connect with each other to help resolve specific issues or questions.
  • The Members answer to the Members rather than to shareholders of insurance companies looking for large profits.
  • The Mutual is run by a small, dedicated and experienced team and overseen by a Board of Directors all of whom come from the activities industry.
  • AIM’s cover is cost effective and of high quality, tailored specifically to our Members’ needs.
  • AIM is the cover provider that works in partnership with some of the leading industry bodies such as the ABC, IOL, AHOEC, CLOtC & NCC in order to support the various sectors and maintain the high standards for the industry.
  • We provide in house onsite tailored training for Members and their staff on a range of issues including Accident Reporting, Claims Defensibility, Risk Management and Lessons Learned as well as advice on Risk Assessments and Operating Procedures.
  • AIM’s Mutual Manager is a solicitor with 24 years’ experience in defending personal injury claims.  As such we have great in house expertise in risk management and claims defensibility and so work closely with Members on these issues, which stands us apart from our competitors.
  • We handle claims in house and take a strong stance where liability is in dispute, rather than settling on economic grounds as many insurers do.  We consider this helps protect your reputation and brand as well as the integrity of the activity sectors and whole industry.
  • To assist with the many challenges your business faces, the Mutual has partnered with ARAG plc to provide Legal Expenses cover.  This is included with your Membership and provides professional legal and financial support as well as counselling services for staff and their families on any issues they may face and has been utilised by a growing number of Members to help staff mental health.
  • AIM fought for its Members to ensure payments for COVID Business Interruption were paid, when other insurers didn’tTo date, payments total over £4m.  These have ensured that businesses have been kept afloat and able to continue as well as helping the activity sector recover.
  • We love seeing our Members!  We regularly visit them including for renewal meetings, training sessions, or just on request.
  • As an AIM Member, you are eligible for a share of the underwriting profits in years where a surplus is made and a payment distribution is agreed by the AIM Board

What are you waiting for?  call us or complete the proposal form here and one of our small but dedicated team will get back to you.

We know you won’t regret it that’s why so many of our Members renew with us year after year!

 

When do Freelance Instructors need their own Personal Public Liability Insurance?

Are you Covered? – Checklist to ensure you cover what you need

As activity providers up and down the country prepare for a new season we wanted to remind Members that it is important to ensure all your equipment is covered and for the correct value and quantity.

Checklist

  • This means checking all your equipment and stock inventories annually rather than relying on last years’ figures.  Make sure you inform the AIM team of the correct new replacement values as undoubtedly the cost to replace these items will have risen.
  • When looking at the figures remember that whilst you may be able to replace individual items with second hand ones, in the event of a total loss, the cost to replace the whole amount with new items is actually a considerably different financial outlay.
  • Take a look at the number of kayaks, canoes, harnesses or helmets for example and ensure the number and value is correctly listed.

We have had occasions where cover was significantly underinsured and regrettably, we cannot pick up the shortfall for this. A theft of kayaks for example in the region of £21k, but listed as £3k would result in a shortfall being paid on any claim.  Many providers would struggle with a loss of this value.  

  • As providers look at diversifying or changing what they offer, please let the team know if you are planning new or different activities to those which you specified when you first came on cover with this.
  • Consider the Business Interruption and Employers Liability elements of your cover.  How long would it take for you to begin trading again after a significant claim such as a fire or flood?  Check if your BI Cover extends to the right amount of time. We can discuss this with you should you require it.
  • If you employ staff or use volunteers it is a legal requirement to have Employers’ liability for them.

The AIM team are always on hand to talk to you about your figures so if you are not sure please call or drop as an email [email protected]

 

Changes to AALA Licensing – Adventure RMS Statement

The following is a statement from Adventure RMS regarding pending changes to the AALA Licensing.
January 2025

The HSE have announced changes to the way they will operate the AALA licensing scheme from 1st April 2025.

These changes relate to:
· The method of determining/calculating licence duration
· The options available to inspectors when reviewing applications for a licence

If you currently hold a licence, you do not need to do anything different, as these changes will not affect your licence.

Any licence with a start date from the 1st April onwards will be issued using the HSEs new licence duration policy.

Inspectors undertaking application reviews from the 1st April onwards may decide to use a broader range of remote and/or in-person inspection methods.

Full information in relation to each of these changes has been emailed to existing licence holders by the AALA/HSE and is openly available in the ‘Guidance’ section of the Adventure RMS website or by clicking the links below.

Information from the HSE relating to – Changes to the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority

Transition arrangements for calculating AALA licence duration provided by Adventure RMS – January 2025

Information from the HSE/AALA – FAQs about licence duration

Information from the HSE/AALA – FAQs about remote inspections

Mountain Skills in the Winter

As we approach the winter months it is worth reminding ourselves of how best to be prepared on the mountains in winter.

We have many Members who operate during the winter so if you are thinking of offering some winter activities to your schedule then please let us know so we can ensure you have the right cover in place.

Mountain Skills _HM-article (1)

Anti Harassment Law – Duty on Employers

Our legal colleagues at HCR Law have provided some guidance on the new duty which requires all employers (regardless of their size, sector or circumstance) to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the course of employment and is anticipatory. This means employers should not wait until an incident occurs before taking action.

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Flood Response Checklist

AIM’s supporting insurer QBE has produced this useful flood response checklist that covers many of the key points that Members should consider if you are concerned about flood risk at your premises.

If you have any questions about the cover you have in place please do get in touch with our underwriting team.

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