Some functionality of the website is not currently available due to technical difficulties. We're working on fixing the issue.
Membership T's & C's

Membership terms & Conditions


The British Grooms Association (BGA) membership provides invaluable support to all that work with horses. Membership has terms and conditions as follows: 

Terms

  • Membership to the British Grooms Association is for 12 months and is non refundable or transferable. 
  • On joining the BGA will send you your BGA Welcome Pack within 14 days, if you do not receive it please contact us. 
  • Bronze, Silver and Platinum membership includes KBIS personal accident insurance cover of varying levels. 
  • Members will receive their insurance policy documents directly from KBIS, if they are not received within 14 days of renewal, please contact us to ensure membership has been successful. 
  • All membership cancellations must be received in writing to membership@britishgrooms.org.uk 
  • Duplicate memberships will be treated as individual memberships. The BGA holds no responsibility for duplication, it is for the individual to cancel their second membership. No refunds will be issued in the case of duplicate memberships. 
  • It is your responsibility to choose the correct level of membership for your requirements.
  • Membership of the BGA does not give voting rights within the organisation. 
  • It being in our legitimate interest to do so, we will contact you both by post and, when applicable by email, to update you on your Membership status including reminders when it is due to expire.
  • Members may also be contacted up to 18 months after the expiry date of their membership asking them to re-join. If you do not want to receive these communications please inform the Membership office either by phone or by email.

 

Fees

  • Members are responsible for ensuring that membership fees are paid.
  • You are required to inform us if you change your correspondence address (both email and postal). We will not be liable for any non-receipt of communication from us, including non-receipt of the renewal reminder.
  • There is a 14-day ‘cooling off’ period following the start of a new or renewed BGA membership, KBIS insurance policy or renewal of an existing one, during which time you are legally entitled to cancel it.
  • However, if the member has logged in to visit the site, use the services/tools, it is presumed that the membership services have been utilised and thus the cooling off period is therefore exempt.
  • If you realise the error within this period, then you must contact us immediately to cancel, although you may incur some pro-rata costs for the time lapsed and £5.00 administration charge.
  • We do not store your credit card details.
  • Subject to any other statutory rights you may have, we do not provide refunds for any cancellations after the expiry of the cooling off period.

  • Standard Membership Annual Direct Debit
  • Direct Debit payments must not be cancelled until the first payment has been collected. The member is liable to pay the full cost of membership if the initial Direct Debit is not collected. The BGA will contact the member if a cancellation occurs prior this first settlement of fees.
  • Your payment will be taken from your bank account on an annual basis at the end of your joining month. If you wish to cancel your Direct Debit, please inform your bank and the BGA in plenty of time before your membership is due for renewal.
  • If you do not want to renew your membership you should contact us by telephone on 0345 331 6039 or 07590 258907 or at membership@britishgrooms.org.uk at any point within your 12 month period and no later than 5pm on the working day preceding your renewal date.

  • Standard and Rest of the World Membership Card Payment
  • Your BGA membership is to be renewed at the end of each year, (this being 12 months from the date we confirm you have become a member or purchased access).
  • If you have supplied an email address we will send you an electronic reminder approximately 3 weeks before your renewal is due to advise you of the details of the new subscription and again 7 days before. 

  • BGA insurance based memberships (Bronze, Silver & Platinum) Monthly Direct Debit 
  • Membership is for 12 months with 12 individual payments.
  • Your payment agreement is directly with KBIS and administered by Premium Credit. Your payments will be for 12 months and then you will be renewed automatically, providing no claim has been made in the 12 months of the current policy. 
  • At time of renewal the member will receive communication informing of the automatic renewal of their membership.
  • The member has the opportunity to cancel membership at this point and at any point in the cooling off period. The BGA membership is non refundable after the cooling off period, however the insurance can be cancelled, providing that no claims have been made during this policy year.

  • BGA insurance based memberships (Bronze, Silver & Platinum) Annual Card Payment 
  • When paid by card are membership is for 12 months.
  • The membership must be renewed in full (i.e. the full payment taken) for it to be valid.  

The member has the opportunity to cancel membership at this point and at any point in the cooling off period. The BGA membership is non refundable after the cooling off period, however the insurance can be cancelled, providing that no claims have been made during this policy year.

The British Grooms Association is an Appointed Representative of KBIS Limited. KBIS are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, firm reference number 300861. KBIS’ status can be reviewed on the FCA register by visiting www.fca.org.uk/register

 

BGA Confidentiality Code

What it means for YOU - Everything you tell us will be in absolute confidence. No-one outside of BGA will be informed without your consent, except in the very exceptional circumstances detailed below, when we would have a duty to disclose. Even in these circumstances, wherever possible, your consent would be sought.

What it means for US
Everyone who works within BGA is required to follow this confidentiality code no matter who they are. Exceptional circumstances are if there is a risk of harm to you or to others.

The BGA aims to help all those employed as a groom with any personal difficulty by providing a confidential, professional, specialised service.

The support provided is for information purposes only and the BGA takes no responsibility for the actions taken as a result of the advice given. It is recommended that you obtain independent legal advice if required.

All personal information is treated in accordance with the GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 which gives you the right to see and have a copy of the personal information held on you. 

We are GDPR Complaint. Read the Members Privacy Notice 

 

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