Free Pharos Response Training for AIM Members – Registration required

The team at Pharos Response is delivering some additional free hour-long training sessions open to AIM Members.  Please find below training topics and links for you to register this side of Christmas, including a repeat of the recent media training for those of you who missed it.

Please note that you will need a Zoom account to register so if ‘your email is not authorised’, this is because you do not have a Zoom account. Simply set one up in 2 minutes for free using the Zoom ‘sign up for free’ link at the top of the registration page. You will only need to do this once.

Please limit registration to three people per organisation to allow space for more organisations.

 

Keeping people safe onsite: your non-activity H&S duties and how to be compliant

Monday 25th September 1600-1700

For all adventure activity organisations.

Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7016892368682/WN_EEYUi4vdSWOZxzOus4ic_w

 

How to meet a school’s needs of a trip provider and more easily gain trip approval

Monday 16th October 1600-1700

For all adventure and travel organisations serving schools.

Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5016907272623/WN_gJZ9en83SyqpAmmr8pAgvg

 

Critical incident plan: how to structure yours

Monday 20th November 1600-1700

For all adventure and travel organisations.

Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1016907273128/WN_il4aC4HMQxifxDlH_p9WIA

 

(Repeat session) Managing the media during a crisis: how to help protect your hard-won reputation.

Monday 11th December 1600-1700

For all adventure and travel organisations.

Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5216883172841/WN_d-so1jP9TYGzuED9Za-6AQ

 

As a reminder for those of you who are not aware of Pharos Response, they are risk & reputation management specialists and provide AIM Members with significant discounts on their 24/7 incident response service.  For details or to subscribe to this service, click here https://pharos-response.co.uk/sectors/aimmembers/

Any problems or questions with registration, please contact the Pharos team at [email protected].

E-bikes and E-scooters – what’s the fire risk?

AIM’s supporting insurer QBE published this article which we know many activity providers will benefit from the safety messages contained within.

E-bikes and e-scooters are a great boon to getting around quickly and efficiently, but concern over the potential fire risk is growing.

E-bikes and e-scooters – what’s the fire risk? – QBE European Operations

Top 5 UK Cycling Destinations

Activity Providers Cycling Destinations

We have a number of Members who operate cycling and mountain bike trails and tours, we even have some BMX parks now.    Here’s a look at the Top 5 UK cycling destinations to inspire you. We can offer providers cover for Public Liability, Employer’s Liability and equipment cover.  If your business is registered in the UK then we can assist. Please speak to us about a quotation.

Yorkshire Dales

Road cycling in Yorkshire is renowned for its wild scenery, tough riding but welcoming hospitality and the real sense of a cycling community. It has grown in reputation over the last 10 years to be known as one of the best areas of not only the UK but Europe to visit and ride a bike.

Climb the likes of the Cote de Buttertubs, Grinton Moor and Lofthouse fueled on the local delicacy of Wensleydale cheese and Fat Rascals.

Lake District

The Lake District in Cumbria is one of the most beautiful places to ride a bike in the UK, but it is also one of the toughest. Mention the names Hardknott Pass, Kirkstone Pass or the aptly named Struggle and you are sure to get a large intake of breath but also a look of excitement from any roadie mates.

Cornwall

Cycling in Cornwall offers a rider an overwhelming sensory sensation – sandy beaches, sunny weather, a soft sea breeze in your face whilst you roll through the quiet country lanes flourishing with wild flowers. The breath-taking landscape allows you to part forgive the area for the punishing inclines that you get on the coastal roads, as you ride into the pretty little coves and harbours, and inevitably have to clamber back out.

Peak District

The Peak District is England’s oldest national park, designated as such in 1951, and ever since then it has been a haven for cyclists.

Being named the Peak District, you won’t be surprised that there are quite a lot of hills to climb. You can still find some more ‘gentle’ cycling routes to do if you don’t quite fancy slogging up the hills all day, but if you are a bit of a mountain goat, then you definitely won’t be disappointed. Not only are the hills plentiful, some of them are also incredibly steep. Find yourself at the foot of Winnats Pass and you will have really earned your Bakewell pudding from one of the numerous tea & cake shops enroute.

Brecon Beacons

The Brecon Beacons national park, located in South Wales offers everything from charming and lively market towns, to high peaks with incredible views of the Welsh countryside and Black Mountains.

It is a microcosm of everything that makes Wales wonderful. Cloud-piercing peaks and high road passes look down upon the meandering rivers and waterways that pierce through the lush valleys.

Whether you are there for a full week or just a quick weekend break you will enjoy every minute of the famous Welsh hospitality and amazing countryside.

With thanks to https://www.bikecation.co.uk/.

Lightning Strike & Business Interruption Cover

Whilst many activity providers will be out enjoying the warm weather, the met office have issued warnings regarding thunderstorms, lightening, and heavy rainfall whilst the heatwave continues.

Lightning strikes are thankfully rare but they can happen, and they are only one possible cause of damage – fire, storm and flood damage are more common and of course all of these can cause a building to be unavailable for use, with practical and financial implications for an activity provider.  Ensuring you have Business Interruption cover as part of your policy is important.

A previous AIM member needed assistance during a violent storm of heavy rain and very strong winds, lightning struck the gable end of one of the dormitory blocks on their site. This strike damaged the fire alarm at the building which stopped it from functioning. The storm rumbled on and by 4am a local milkman, on his rounds, discovered the building was on fire and alerted the emergency services. Unfortunately by this time, the building had suffered significant damage including a collapsed front roof and damaged undercroft plus smoke damage throughout and all services (water/electric) were destroyed.

The effect on future bookings could have been disastrous, a group was booked in for the following week so alternative accommodation had to be found and the local youth hostel kindly provided this for us. 

The need to have the correct plans in place to deal with an incident of this nature is paramount. The centre already had a critical incident plan which was adhered to at the time and since then we have continued to update this plan, and other processes on an annual basis”

This particular Member had Business Interruption cover, which was important for their survival as it covered loss of earnings while the new dormitory was being build and an entire term’s worth of business.  To lose this level of income would have been disastrous.  The outcome was a positive one for them but without this important cover the story could have been very different.

Are You Covered?

AIM offers Business Interruption cover to all members who take Property Damage cover.

Business Interruption covers loss of income (including rent where appropriate) and increased costs arising from damage to a member’s premises. Surveys indicate that most SME’s buy cover for their buildings and contents, whether with AIM or a conventional commercial insurer, but fewer opt for the protection of Business Interruption cover as well.

If you are interested in learning more about Business Interruption, and receiving a quotation, please contact our team and we will be happy to provide a quotation.

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!

 

Residentials, Adventure & Activity Centres

We were pleased to see some of AIM Members mentioned in this piece from School Travel Organiser .  The category of Best Residential experience is voted for in their annual School Travel Awards ceremony in May.  We know that there are many residential centres offering vital services that may not have been featured or nominated so a big shout out to you all.  This article highlights just a handful of them.  Many congratulations to Lost Earth Adventures, Lee Valley Canoe Cycle and Mill on the Brue.  If you run an activity business please speak to us we have experienced underwriters who are familiar with the type of activities you offer and residential centres and we’d be happy to help.  There are many benefits to being part of the Mutual, please see some of our Member Profiles to get a taste for the broad and diverse mix of Mutual Members.

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Self Employed or Employed

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

Mutual Member Profile – Ourea Events – Running Events

When the Mutual first began, the profile of Members looked very differently, to how it looks today.  We have seen a range of different activity providers emerge over the time we have been providing vital Public Liability cover to Members, Like any business we have embraced the diversity whilst always keeping at its heart to protect the Members who choose to take cover with us.

One area where we have seen an increase is the area of ‘running events’, (pardon the pun!) by this we mean organisers of trail runs and challenge events where the outdoors provides the exciting and often challenging backdrop to some incredible running events such as the Dragons Back Race.  One such Member is Ourea Events who joined the Mutual in 2020 and were kind enough to share their story with us in our Newsletter from January 2023.

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Thanks to Tom Hecht, Business Operations Director at Ourea for this interview.

If you have a business that operates in this sector do contact us for a quotation for your business kit and equipment, Public & Employers Liability cover.   We look forward to hearing from you.

Mental Health Awareness – Outdoors

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