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Home /Grooms life/It wont happen to me 21

It Won't Happen to Me!

7th December 2023
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Every week we receive phone calls from grooms who have been injured and are left unable to work.

This can have a drastic consequence on many aspects of life, including how to pay bills.

James is just one of the many people who got in touch with us following a freak accident.

“I am a freelance groom, and I was with horses that I know well. I bent down to wipe some muck off a sock when, out of nowhere, he kicked out and caught me square on the thigh.

Instantly I fell to the floor, I knew that something was very wrong. Everyone realised that I had a serious injury and were brilliant whilst waiting for the paramedics, but I have never felt so much pain in my life!

I was taken to hospital by the air ambulance, where it was confirmed that I had broken my femur in multiple places which needed two surgeries to repair it.

On the fourth day of being in hospital I started to gather my thoughts which is when I called the BGA. I have been a member for some time, and I wanted to check that my insurance would cover me.

As I dialled their number I started to panic as I had this awful feeling that I had been meaning to upgrade my membership and never got around to it.

The BGA confirmed that I had the standard membership and did not have any personal accident insurance and so I was not covered.

 

I was gutted! I knew deep down I should get insured, why didn’t just do it? I know how important personal accident insurance is, especially as freelancer – I wish I had acted sooner and upgraded my membership.

 

My leg is mending slowly, but I am still unable to work, which has been a huge struggle for my family, life has been very difficult since my accident. 

I wanted to take this opportunity to tell other BGA members my story and urge you to consider using the really affordable BGA personal accident insurance – please don’t make the same mistake as I did.”

Stories like James has shared are more common that you realise, most people think ‘it won’t happen to me!’, but it does – accidents happen all the time.

Working with horses is a high-risk occupation, injuries are likely to happen. 

If you get injured and you are unable to work your income is likely to be reduced, or disappear completely if you are a freelancer.

Protect yourself with personal accident insurance. 

 

ARE YOU INSURED?

Not sure which insurance is right for you? Visit the membership options section of our website for more information.

Alternatively you can contact contact Fi, our Membership Manager, on 07590 258907 or membership@britishgrooms.org.uk.

 

Freelance groom, employed groom or equine student on work placement - whatever you do, the BGA is here for you and your insurance needs.

The BGA has the best grooms insurance for all who work with horses.

Join 1000’s of other grooms and belong to your professional association.

 

BGA MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

 



BLOG ARCHIVE

 
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What the personal accident policy covers you for:

  • Whilst at work
  • All stable duties – mucking out, grooming, washing off, turning out
  • Clipping
  • Riding – including hacking and jumping
  • Hunting
  • Lunging
  • Breaking in
  • Holding horse for a vet and other procedures
  • Travelling horses both in the UK and abroad
  • Competing in line with your job including: jumping, dressage, eventing
  • Injuries that may happen to you whilst you are teaching - but you must also be grooming as part of your duties and not be a sole instructor

What the personal accident policy doesn’t cover you for:

  • Riding in a race, point to point or team chase
  • Stunt Riding
  • Accidents occurring whilst travelling to and from work
  • Riding and competing your own horse (but you can upgrade when applying for membership to include this)
  • Public Liability – this is a separate insurance policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance
  • Care Custody and Control – this is a separate policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance

If you require additional cover then please contact KBIS directly.

   GROOM  RIDER  EMPLOYER

When you are working for other people you do most of the following; muck out, turn out/catch in, tack up, groom horses, exercise Horses (including hacking, jumping and schooling), in the care of your employer/client.

 
YES

 
NO

 
NO
Predominantly ride horses for other people including schooling, exercising and competing.   
NO		  
YES
YES
 Provide grooming services for someone else either full time or on a freelance basis i.e. an employer or a client.   
YES
NO
NO
Employ staff – have an employers liability policy in your name NO NO YES
Buy and sell horses NO YES YES