How cricket clubs can avoid the risk of underinsurance

Here at Cricket Yorkshire, we’ll be sharing advice from Howden who work with the ECB to help insure cricket clubs in England and Wales.

In this article, it’s a look at underinsurance to ensure clubs are covered correctly – so there are no surprises if they need to claim.

After decades of writing about club cricket, you get to know the typical insurance claims that the grassroots game has to protect against from vandalism and fires to weather events like flooding and theft.

What is underinsurance?

Howden’s definition of underinsurance is not taking out insurance to the right level. Or the insurance sums you have agreed aren’t enough to cover what you need.

So, if your pavilion cost £200,000 to build but is only insured for £150,000 then there is a shortfall of £50,000, should the worst-case scenario happen and it needs rebuilding.

In addition, costs in the building trade have increased considerably so to replace like-for-like will likely be much higher than it was 12 months ago.

Howden’s club cricket department can walk you through how to get the most accurate picture, including the option of an e-valuation combining what the club submits, as well as planning and mapping data.

Why would cricket clubs insure for less than they need?

This can be for a host of reasons, not least the temptation to save some money by having minimal cover that may mean a cheaper insurance policy.

The trouble with that approach is the risk of gaps in your cover that your club legitimately needs insuring against.

Clubs might not have realised their insurance policy has gaps in it either. After all, we’re not all experts in the finer detail of insurance from the language to the intricacies.

What should cricket clubs do first?

Reviewing your cricket club insurance will take a bit of time to get your head around the detail in the policy again and to ask any questions from Howden.

Granted, it’s not the most exciting job for any cricket club committee but it could end up saving you many thousands of pounds one day – so worth doing right.

KEY STEPS

Check your renewal date and plan ahead
Dig out your policy, read it carefully and think about changes to your cricket club since your policy began. (Upgraded facilities or equipment, new teams or how your club operates/when it’s open during the year)
Make note of any questions for Howden or talk to them about switching from your current insurer

Howden will be able to advise you on any paperwork or research you need to do, prior to renewal, in order to get a quote that is completely tailored to your cricket club.

Think carefully about buildings and contents, changes in circumstances and how your club differs in what it does.

Why choose Howden?

Whether it’s renewing your broadband, phone contract, gym membership or insurance for cricket clubs, choice is powerful.

If your club don’t currently use Howden then their expertise lies in specific knowledge of cricket clubs and the ways they need to insure themselves.

All ECB-registered clubs can get a free Howden combined liability policy as a starting point with more bespoke solutions available.

Get in touch with Howden

Contact Howden to review your current cricket club insurance well before the renewal date. If you’re not with them at the moment, it’s always worth having a chat to see what they can offer too.

It gives you time to ask questions, arrange any paperwork and get the best cover at the best price for your circumstances.