Liability Insurance Alert …

The Keynote Address at the Leinster Convention on Friday night in Portlaoise was delivered by Sinead Leavy. Sinead’s message on the GAA’s Liability Insurance focused minds on the necessity of GAA units to exercise the utmost care in managing their properties. The association’s liability insurance provides cover for Gaelic Games activities and Non-Gaelic Games activities (fundraising, use of GAA property by third parties and for non-GAA activity such as walkways).

The cost of claims has increased from €7.9million in 2012 to €12m in 2017 whilst the cost of the premium has risen from €2.1m to €4.4m in the same period (prior to 2012 annual claims averaged €3 million).   Non-Gaelic Games activities accounted for €7m of the 2017 claims

Some of the key messages delivered by Sinead included the legal requirement to have a Health and Safety Statement in place, the importance of any and all third party groups providing proof of valid insurance before use of premises-venue is permitted (this includes schools, walking groups, personal trainers etc);  the importance of maintaining a record of who is using GAA property and when it is being used and  ensuring that all property, equipment and facilities are fit for purpose and annually inspected and validated.

It is essential that units have documented evidence that all reasonable care was taken to minimise the risk of injury to persons on our properties or engaging in our activities. The current claims history demonstrates that units are failing to protect themselves and therefore the GAA struggles to investigate and challenge claims when they are made.  A paper trail is paramount.