Insurance cover for Freelance Grooms
Not wishing to be doom and gloom merchants (!) but adequate and appropriate Insurance cover for Freelance Grooms is a critical matter, which needs to be taken very, very seriously. Too often though it is still overlooked and seriously, I have lost count of the number of Grooms we have spoken to over the years who have said with deepest regret, “I was just about to…”, or “My insurance had just lapsed”.
Adequate and appropriate insurance is essential to those both employed and self-employed, it isn’t a “nice to have”. Accidents happen around horses and sometimes they have repercussions that we don’t think of or are simply unprepared for. Insurance cover for Freelance Grooms is an allowable business expense and can be offset against your taxable income.
Personal Accident Insurance and Income Protection
Personal Accident Insurance helps to provide a Freelance Groom with a financial safety net and will pay out a tax-free lump sum if you are involved in an accident resulting in some form of permanent disability or identifiable physical injury. If the injury sustained is temporary, such as a broken leg or arm, Personal Accident Insurance will pay a weekly benefit which you will be able to select when you take out a policy.
A Freelance Groom is solely responsible for their income, so should you incur an injury that requires a week off work, that means at least one week without pay. A more serious injury could lead to months out of work and without pay, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), or any other source of income. Unfortunately, these more serious accidents occur frequently with horses, and it’s imperative that Freelance Grooms protect their income in this unfortunate event. Very few of us could survive without income for any length of time.
Public Liability Insurance
This is an insurance cover that is often overlooked yet is a very good idea to have in place. When things go wrong Freelance Grooms can easily find themselves accountable, even when the situation arose through a simple oversight on their part. If a person or animal is injured, or property is damaged, public liability insurance can cover you for associated costs, legal fees, and any compensation. This might be personal injury or property damage claims from your clients, visitors or the general public. When someone claims against you/your business, this insurance can cover the costs that you are liable for.
Business Travel Insurance
If your work takes you out of the country, for example competition grooming, you should ensure you have adequate Business Travel Insurance in place. It’s important to note the difference between business travel insurance and holiday travel insurance. Business Travel Insurance will make sure you are covered during your work travel for accidents, illness, flight cancellations and more. Some Business Travel Insurance can also cover your equipment, which means that should your show-turnout kit, or business iPad be stolen, damaged or lost while you’re abroad, your insurance company will work with you to organise replacements. Ensure you have thoroughly researched this and have everything in place before travelling abroad through work.
Choosing insurance cover for Freelance Grooms
Many insurance companies offer any or all of the types of insurance cover detailed above, including the insurance companies providing horse insurance. Exactly as you would when insuring your car, or your horse, compare quotes, read the small print, and be certain that you know you are protected when things go wrong.
British Grooms Association (BGA) insurance memberships (Silver and Platinum) offers affordable and bespoke personal accident insurance which covers you for your loss of earnings.
One final note on insurance cover for Freelance Grooms
Having insurance cover in place is a key responsibility of a Freelance Groom, and it can reassure clients and potential clients when they know you have this in place. It demonstrates responsibility and good business planning and can, in turn, maximise your earning potential as a Freelance Groom.
