IMPORTANT NOTICE
To all Regions, Special Interest Groups & Clubs
Public Liability Insurance and COVID-19
Insurance for the Regions and Special Interest Groups
Council has been advised that in addition to Clubs, all Regions and Special Interest Groups should be required to carry their own public liability insurance. While Regions, Special Interest Groups and Clubs are free to purchase insurance from an insurer of their choice, most IPF Club policies are with Allianz, through Europlan Insurances Tel 01-2951266, contact Moya O’Donoghue. Please also note that a copy of the insurance cert should be emailed to treasurer@irishphoto.ie
The following is an extract from the advice received:
“With regard to whom needs insurance – Each member club, region, special interest group etc would need to hold their own insurance as they are running/organising their own activities under their own organisations name ie Southern Associations of Camera Clubs. They are separately responsible for any event that they run. Therefore any liability would attach to each individual group.”
COVID-19
Council advises Regions, Groups and Clubs who may be considering organising events, be they indoor or outdoor, to first study the Government guidelines referred to below. Council also advises appointing one or more persons with the expertise to interpret the Government guidelines and to assist with their implementation to ensure that the necessary risk assessment is carried out, the risks in running an event identified and the necessary guidelines put in place and adhered to, in order to protect everyone taking part in the event and members of the public from contracting and spreading the virus.
Additionally, our insurers have advised that in the event of an insurance claim, any failure to implement the Government guidelines by the organisers of the event could be interpreted as negligence and could result in cover being denied, leaving the individuals involved in running the event vulnerable to being made personally liable.
While there is no dedicated advice for the Camera Clubs, the COVID health principals remain the same across all sectors of society. Our insurers advise reading the following Government guidelines and tailoring them to the particular needs of the event being organised.
“Reopening Business and Returning to Work”
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/22829a-return-to-work-safely-protocol/
“Roadmap for Opening Society and Business”
https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/c36c85-covid-19-coronavirus
It is important to note the following;
While the Government documents are reasonably comprehensive, in any situation where an identified risk is not addressed, or gives rise to particular concerns or worries, the event should not take place.
In the meantime, stay safe everybody, the virus has not gone away.
Rory O’Connor
IPF National Treasurer
On behalf of the IPF Council
