Background

We have the benefit of the Third Age Trust nationally provided insurance cover which is summarised below (further details can be found on the u3a.org website).

Public Liability Insurance

In general, public liability insurance is intended to indemnify the insured against compensation, which they become legally liable to pay, following injury or property damage sustained to others because of an activity. Legal liability to another person can arise in a number of ways but by far the most common is negligence. Public liability does not cover pure accidents where no legal liability has been established.

Product Liability Insurance

Product liability protects us against claims arising from injury or damage sustained by a product supplied by us and for which we are held legally liable.

Cover for Group Leaders

The policy is set up to protect all u3a members and includes ‘member to member’ cover so if somebody is injured undertaking a u3a activity and legal liability could be proven against another member, the insurers will deal with it. This means that Group Leaders are protected should there be a claim made against them personally for damages following an incident in their group.

Paid Tutors

Some groups use paid tutors and they must prove they have professional indemnity insurance cover. For exercise classes, we also request evidence of appropriate qualifications.

Loss of Personal Property

Loss of personal property, or damage to personal property, while participating in u3a activity is not covered by u3a insurance unless caused by u3a negligence. Generally, members’ household insurance should cover this.

Using a Member's Home to Run a Group

This is covered, subject to the normal test of legal liability. Injury or damage sustained due to a defect in the property is the legal responsibility of the house owner/occupier and cover is provided under householder insurance.

The u3a policy covers damage to the property of any u3a member whilst their home is being used to host a u3a group meeting.

Outdoor or Strenuous Activities

This is covered but it is not a personal accident insurance. It is an insurance against legal liability and therefore, it would have to be shown that u3a, its agents or members had in some way been negligent in causing injury to the claimant.

Taster Sessions

If somebody wants to try u3a out prior to deciding whether to join, it is allowable under our insurance cover, providing the Group Leader is monitoring the situation, to ensure any attendance by a non-member does not continue for more than one or two sessions.

Outings and Study Tours

The following outings and holidays are considered to be a u3a activity:

• Trips, for members only, that are less than 24 hours and do not include an overnight stay;
• Field trips and study tours, for members only, where the purpose is educational.

The scenarios above are covered by the standard Third Age Trust insurance but this does not include travel insurance. The responsibility for travel insurance (cancellation, medical cover etc) lies with the individual.

Non-Members Attending a Group, General Meeting or Outing

It is not permissible for a non-member e.g. spouse or friend of a member, to attend a group, general meeting or outing, with the exception of individuals who are genuinely thinking of joining. The insurance cover provided is for u3a members and therefore, should a non-member be allowed to attend u3a activities on a regular basis and be involved in an incident, the u3a might find itself without liability cover.

The public attending a u3a event are different, bring no membership issues and are “third parties” to the u3a. Insurers understand the u3a across the country will stage various concerts, events & exhibitions etc where members of the public are invited as an audience which is fine. Attending a u3a event is different to participating in u3a activity.

Carers/Companions

This is allowable, providing the carer/companion does not attend any u3a activities as an individual and committee approval has been given. If the carer attending is doing so purely in the capacity of a carer and not taking part in the activity they will be covered as they are considered an ‘extension’ of the member. If the ‘carer’ is providing support and also taking part in the u3a activity as an individual then they will need to be a member. Should a member not be able to participate independently in u3a activities a carer/companion is essential as it is not acceptable for insurance reasons for the responsibility for care to be left to fellow members unless there is a specific arrangement in place with an individual member who may well be a friend. If a member requires a professional carer, then they will be covered by their own insurance and not by u3a. The u3a is not liable for any incidents that occur as the result of a professional carer’s actions, they should report this to their employers.

Participation in the Activities of Another u3a

All the cover described above also applies when the member participates in the activity of another u3a. For Aughton & Ormskirk u3a, we do not allow members of other u3as to attend our activities except by invitation and only on an occasional basis.

Trustee Indemnity Insurance

u3a committees are covered by trustee indemnity insurance provided by the Third Age Trust. The insurance protects u3a trustees both individually and as a board against a genuine mistake or error of judgement providing that they have acted responsibly and followed their u3a’s constitution. Where it is deemed not to be the case, trustees risk being held personally responsible and not being covered by indemnity insurance.

November 2025