How to stay on the front foot against underinsurance

In this update with Howden, the ECB’s cricket insurance partner for the recreational game, we share advice on avoiding underinsurance.

Whatever time of year your cricket club insurance policy renews, it needs careful thought. On a long list of tasks for volunteers, it might feel like the short straw but this is absolutely vital to get right.

What is underinsurance?

It’s when a cricket club has a shortfall between the value and cover of its insurance policy and what might be needed / cost in the event of a claim.

Say your cricket pavilion is damaged by a winter storm. It might be insured for a value of £200,000 but if the rebuild cost is £300,000 then there’s a massive shortfall.

It’s why reviewing your insurance policy every year, what’s included and the valuations is one of the most important jobs your committee can tackle.

According to Howden, underinsurance is common in club cricket; perhaps because clubs might not account for rising costs or changing circumstances – and therefore the adequate cover – in their policy.

It’s not uncommon for clubs to change their facilities, personnel or cricket offering across the years. This introduces new liabilities that you want peace of mind, as well as legal cover, for.

Howden’s tailored property and equipment insurance can ensure comprehensive protection.

Avoid penalties

Apart from the considerable risk of a shortfall, underinsurance could lead to a disputed claim by your insurer.

No-one wants that. It adds stress, uncertainty and a lot of extra work that someone has to think about and do.

Avoid that from the start by setting up a policy that’s comprehensive and properly reflects all that happens at your cricket club.

Choosing Howden: Personalised service

As the ECB’s approved insurance partner, Howden combine an astute knowledge of cricket, allied with award-winning insurance.

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot, they work with cricket clubs of all circumstances to provide a personalised service that exceeds what you’d get from comparison sites.

Their cricket club insurance policies include cover for: Buildings, equipment in the open, contents, machinery, cups and trophies and playing equipment, as well as combined liabilities including Professional Indemnity for captains, coaches and officials.

It’ll never happen to us

By its very definition, insurance is guarding against something you don’t want to happen. In the realm of grassroots cricket, and more often than you’d think, something does.

Without inflating the dangers, clubs suffer vandalism, theft, storm damage, flooding and fires. There are disputes, accidents and all manner of real-life scenarios that are unfortunate but play out.

It brought to mind Hampton Wick Royal Cricket Club; a ground I know having played in Bushy Park for years before I moved to Yorkshire.

They were the victims of a suspected arson attack overnight on 6 September 2023. The pavilion was burnt down and the club was left with no home, access to changing rooms, toilets or facilities.

Here in Yorkshire, there is a bleak roll-call of clubs that have had their clubhouse set alight from Olicanian to Allerton to Lascelles Hall. (Photo above is the new Olicanian pavilion by John Heald).

The risk is there one way or another, perhaps more commonly with extreme weather events, so insurance needs to be watertight.

Sam Kemp is Chair of Hampton Wick Royal CC and told me about the uncertainty that rumbles on with insurance after 160+ years of history went up in smoke.

At the time of writing, their claim (not with Howden) remains unsettled with the club desperate to get spades in the ground to rebuild and move forward. The hope is to have the new project completed for the 2026 season which would be three seasons on since the fire.

Talking to Sam, it’s a tale of delays, disputed sums and a torrent of admin and paperwork for volunteers pushed to their limits. It’s important to stress that Hampton Wick Royal believe they had correct insurance in place.

The cricket club has spent £100,000 on seeking planning permission to date and they are facing an overall potential shortfall of £500,000.

Whatever the final payout ends up being, all kinds of extra costs whittle the sum that goes to the builders. Paying for traffic, heritage and other reports as well as the demolition of the site and temporary structures, to name a few.

Were there any tips to other clubs to ensure they’re properly protected by insurance?

Sam advised clubs get their buildings valued every year or two and ensure those sums are reflected accurately in their policy. Hampton Wick Royal have also changed their status from a Community Asset Sports Club (CASC) to a charity to help with tax benefits while also opening up many more funding routes.

He also suggested clubs pay extra in a policy for a claims advisor who acts on behalf of the club in the event of a claim.

“Make sure you’re not underinsuring yourself so you probably need to get your building valued every other year and make sure your premiums are properly paid.”

It’s a cautionary tale but there has been generosity on multiple fronts and a concerted fundraising effort. Out of the ashes will eventually emerge a new home with facilities for disabled people, female players and guests.

After what they’ve been through, that will a relief ultimately for the cricket club as well as the other sports clubs and community groups who are based there.

Need advice? Talk to Colin Mico’s team

Reviewing your insurance cover is a must for cricket clubs. If you’ve not done it for some time and perhaps your circumstances have changed (teams, activities, facilities) then contact Howden for a quote.

Their expertise lies in cricket-specific knowledge around the cover you need and the various insurance risks that can affect a club’s liability.

Whether you’re already with Howden or assessing your club insurance ahead of renewal, chat with their club cricket specialists.

t: 01883 868521

e: [email protected]

w: Get a Quote Online from Howden

Cricket Yorkshire partners with Howden to share news and advice relating to cricket insurance, here is the section of the website dedicated to cricket club insurance.

This is Partner Content for Howden – if the mood takes you, click to read Cricket Yorkshire’s policy on Partner Content.