Teaching without liability insurance

[Nebraska37]

Hi everyone
I was wondering, especially from the instructors out there, what the situation was with regard to teaching without liability insurance in place. I currently help a few people on the yard with informal lessons - I don't charge and the 'clients' have an understanding that i am just helping them out. However, as this is now a regular occurance (fortnightly) I'm worried that this is starting to look like 'formal instructing' I used to teach formally at a former yard which was also a riding school and thus was covered by their insurance. I don't currently have my own PL / PI insurance - have had quotes but I don't want to take this out as it would mean having to charge people and set up 'properly'.
My concerns are now that all my friends are now developing in their riding and moving on to more challenging stuff which obviously increases the risk. I'd consider myself good at being able to manage that risk and minimise negligence but the worst could happen and my question (finally) is where do i stand if one of my friends has an accident and sets off on the blame/claim route? If I don't charge, am I liable? (if negligence is proven)? Are all instructors out there covered? (I only ask this because i know one old DC type comes onto our yard and she isn't)
Any advice would be very gratefully recieved

 

[LCobby]

Do you know that the DC is not insured? (Do you mean Ex DC or DC of mature years? ) would expect a current DC who teaches to have cover, maybe via Pony Club?.
Apart from the issue of a pupil ( or their family, or ther insurers, personal or horse) ) suing you, most yards (and ther insurers) insist that any instructor has relevant insurance

 

[Rhandir]

Informal lesson or not, they will still try to sue you if anything should go wrong. You'd be insane to teach without insurance. Shearwater have a policy which is tailored to the number of hours/pupils you teach on a weekly basis and are very reasonable. A first aid qalification, child protection certificate and CRB check wouldn't go amiss either., (all of which can be taken via the BHS)

 

[Puppy]

Very very definitely do NOT teach without insurance

You are leaving yourself open to no end of trouble.

 

[ddd]

You are insane if you teach without insurance, it doesn't matter whether you are paid or not or if it is only a couple a week, if you get sued you could lose everything you have if you lose the case.

My insurance comes to about £8 per week, if you are qualified BHS and on their register is is much cheaper.

Please please do not take the chance, get you clients to pay a small amount just to cover your insurance if that helps.