Airsoft is fun and exciting. But like all sports, it can also be potentially dangerous. Equipment can fail. One of your employees could accidentally forget to give the correct safety information. Or someone could simply trip over and hurt themselves. In today’s no-win no-fee world, many businesses across the UK face financial claims against them every day. Even if you are proved not liable, the legal fees to get to that judgement can quickly mount up. And if you are found liable, and damages against your business are awarded to the other party, you could face a bill for hundreds of £thousands depending on the severity of the injury. Find out more about how you can protect your airsoft or paintball business with our essential guide to airsoft insurance.
What insurance do I need for my airsoft business?
If you want to be a skirmish site member of the United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association (UKARA) or British Airsoft Club then you have to be able to prove you hold valid third party (public liability) insurance.
You might also want to consider various other airsoft insurance options to protect your business from the things that could go wrong:
- premises insurance
- equipment cover
- employer’s liability insurance
- money cover
- personal accident insurance
- stock cover
- business interruption insurance
Public liability insurance
Adequate public liability insurance is the only way to protect yourself from claims if someone injures themselves on your site. You’ll need cover for paying customers who may be injured on your site. It’s also worth bearing in mind that any member of the public can bring a claim against you even if they are trespassing on your land.
Premises insurance
This airsoft site insurance covers any premises against fire, flood, and theft.
Equipment cover
Your airsoft guns and safety equipment don’t come cheap. Could you afford to replace it all if it was damaged or stolen? If you can’t, you won’t be able to trade. Equipment cover will pay out quickly so you can replace it and get back to running your business like normal.
Employer’s liability insurance
If you have any employees, you’ll need to take out employer’s liability insurance. It’s a legal requirement and applies even if they work part-time, are sub-contracted or are family members. It pays out if any staff member makes a claim against you for damages. Without it, you could be fined.
Money cover
If you handle cash, consider taking out money cover. This insurance pays out if your cash is stolen whilst on the premises or in transit to the bank.
Personal accident insurance
How could your business cope if you hurt yourself and couldn’t work for a period of time? Personal accident cover pays out if you are injured, giving you peace of mind that the essential bills can still be paid.
Stock cover
Meanwhile, if you also sell equipment, consider taking out stock cover. This pays out if your stock is damaged by fire, flood or theft. You should calculate how much the current stock you hold is worth. Then decide if your business could easily afford to replace it if it is lost.
Business interruption insurance
Finally, consider business interruption insurance. This cover pays out if you are unable to trade for a period of time, for example, because of damage to equipment or your battlefield. It’s especially beneficial if you book large groups in for games in advance, as it will pay out to compensate them if you are forced closed. It also ensures that essential suppliers and other bills can still be paid, tiding you over so you can get back up and running as quickly as possible.
Opting for a tailored package lets you pick and choose the airsoft insurance products you need. This can help keep costs down whilst making sure you have the level of insurance cover that your business needs.
Looking for cheap airsoft insurance in the UK?
Airsoft is considered a high-risk sport, so you’ll need to speak to a specialist insurance provider to get cover for your business. Just like with any regular insurance though, it’s worth calling as many insurance providers as you can to make sure you’re getting a value for money deal. Different insurance companies use different factors when calculating risk to determine the cost of your premium. Spend the time to call up several providers and you could be surprised at the difference in cost for identical policies. If you don’t have the time to do this, use a specialist airsoft insurance broker like Park Insurance to do the ringing round for you.
Airsoft insurance and paintball insurance that is right on target
Whatever size of Airsoft game site you run, call our specialist airsoft insurance team on 0117 9558365 or get a quote today. We understand airsoft and the unique needs of your business. We can create a bespoke insurance package that gives you the level of cover that you need for your peace of mind. And because we shop around and negotiate hard on your behalf, you could find our price is lower than you expect. If you do need to make a claim, our friendly team will help ensure it is dealt with swiftly and with minimum hassle – so you can get back to running your skirmish site and keeping your customers happy.