****** IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION ******
*** IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED ***

TO: ASSOCIATION HEADS & ASSOCIATION REGISTRARS *
* Please circulate to anyone involved in selling / administering insurance
FROM: THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BRITISH AIKIDO BOARD
DATE: 17th January 2004
SUBJECT: WITHDRAWAL OF INSURANCE VIA SPORTS COACH UK & INSURANCE PREMIUMS FROM 1st MARCH 2004

INTRODUCTION

We have recently completed negotiations with Perkins Slade with regards our insurance policies, which are due for renewal next month. Following a review of all of our policies, we identified the need to address the following issues in considering our requirements going forward:

• With the demise of “club insurance” there is no longer a provision for 3rd party liability for Instructors holding insurance through Perkins Slade. However, we also found that both Perkins Slade and Sports Coach UK do not currently provide adequate cover for instructors as they really require full “Civil Liability” cover. This means they would be covered against being sued for all activities they undertake with regards their Aikido activities – whether acting as an instructor, manager, officer, official etc.
• We are concerned that the way in which the BAB's insurance policies are structured today is proving an administration nightmare, difficult to understand, inhibits our ability to tender for the best price and is placing a heavy financial burden upon coaches. It is therefore our intention to move to a more simplified single supplier / single policy structure in 2005. This will be explained further at the AGM but this has been a key factor in influencing the excellent package we have negotiated with Perkins Slade for this year.
• We are delighted to report that we have negotiated an exceptional package with Perkins Slade priced well below the premiums being charged to other martial art groups. This favourable consideration is due to:
  Our excellent track record for mitigating risk and low number of claims (removing the temporary disablement p.a. cover is proving its worth).
• Our decision to migrate insurance away from Sports Coach UK in 2004 to prepare us for a single policy structure in 2005.
  

IMPORTANT: NO RENEWALS / APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO SPORTS COACH UK WHERE INSURANCE IS REQUIRED ON OR AFTER 1st FEBRUARY 2004.

Sports Coach UK have been advised that Perkins Slade will broker all BAB insurance for coaches from 1st February 2004, and agree that the Perkins Slade policy is far superior to the one available via SCUK. They fully appreciate that this is in the best interests of our members. Current holders of SCUK insurance will be migrated over to the Perkins Slade policy as and when their SCUK insurance is due for renewal (the price will be pro-rata'd as the insurance will need to expire at the end of February 2005). They are also providing a 13-month cover for those who need to take out insurance from 1st February 2004. Further details are outlined later in this note.

We know that many coaches enjoy the added benefits of Sports Coach UK membership and would like to retain their membership. We have therefore set up a Group account with SCUK for coaches who wish to take out a subscription membership, exclusive of insurance for £15. Details will be sent shortly, together with an application form.
The pricing and package details for 2004 are outlined below but we are sure that you will be as delighted as we are with the added value we have negotiated at 2003 prices.

The insurance review that we kicked off-last year is proving it's worth and we see the actions that we have taken in 2004 paving the way for even greater benefits in 2005. We look forward to sharing more details with you at the forthcoming AGM.

Your continued support and cooperation is greatly appreciated.

PREMIUMS AND AMENDMENTS TO POLICIES / PROCESS:

INSURANCE FOR STUDENTS
There is no change to the current provision / rates . The price remains at £1.25 per head . The process is also unchanged.

INSURANCE FOR ASSOCIATIONS
As agreed, this is now compulsory for all Associations.

The price (£90 per Association) has been factored into the BAB Membership fee and will be invoiced in the usual way.
Details of cover are unchanged – refer to the BAB's Insurance Guidelines.

We still require details of all clubs to be registered – please continue to advise the BAB Secretary in writing of any changes / additions to your club list

If any clubs operate on a full committee basis (e.g., have a Constitution, Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, etc), they will also need to take out Civil Liability Insurance. If so, they should contact the BAB Insurance Officer for advice.

INSURANCE FOR “INSTRUCTORS WHO ASSIST ONLY”
This free facility will continue for a further year – please refer to the BAB's Insurance Guidelines for details.
Please review your list of “Assist Only Instructors” and advise the BAB Secretary in writing of any changes.

INSURANCE FOR INSTRUCTORS
As mentioned above, insurance will no longer be provided via Sports Coach UK as their policy does not provide adequate cover for all the risks undertaken by Instructors and deputies. SCUK have been advised not to accept any renewals / applications submitted by BAB Associations after 1 st February 2004.

They will still send out the renewal notices during the migration to help us remind members when their insurance is due for renewal. Coaches should be advised to approach their Association registrar to arrange insurance via Perkins Slade and ignore the SCUK notice (see below for details of pro-rata'd premium charges). Remember, Coaches may still be a member of SCUK if they wish by becoming a “Subscription Member” – it is just the insurance that we are withdrawing from.

We have negotiated FULL CIVIL LIABILITY cover via Perkins Slade. This covers instructors for any civil liability action taken against them in respect of their Aikido duties (both on & off the mat). This includes, slander, libel, bad-advice etc in addition to the P.I. & 3 rd party liability cover that they previously enjoyed.
The cost (believe it or not), is £ 50 for 12 months (this is £2.50 less than last year's price) and £54.17 for 13 months.

NOTE: People migrating from SCUK in February 2004 will require 13 months cover).
The pro-rata'd premium rates are as follows (that is, for the date that you take out insurance to cover you up to end Feb 2005):

Feb 04: £54.17 (13 months cover)
March – May: £50.00 (12 months cover)
June – August: £37.50
Sept – Nov: £25.00
Dec – Feb05 : £12.50

The administration process for Perkins Slade insurance is unchanged – please refer to the BAB's Insurance Guidelines .

NOTE: Each Association will require a stock of the GREEN insurance certificates and a pad of monthly return forms. If you do not have a stock, registrars should contact Shirley Timms on 01753 577878 for a supply.

Vincent Sumpter
Chairman

QUESTIONS

BAB Reps -- If you have any questions regarding the immediate actions outlined in this notice, please contact Jayne Phelps. Please only contact Jayne regarding urgent matters. Any other questions should be raised at the AGM following the briefing on insurance.