Bowls Club (Lawn Bowls) Sports Facility Insurance: A Complete Guide

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Bowls Club (Lawn Bowls) Sports Facility Insurance: A Complete Guide

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Bowls Club (Lawn Bowls) Sports Facility Insurance: A Complete Guide

Introduction: why bowls clubs need specialist insurance

Bowls clubs are often community hubs—mixing sport, social events, volunteers, and valuable facilities like clubhouses, bars, kitchens, and well-kept greens. That mix creates a unique risk profile. A simple “off-the-shelf” policy can leave gaps around member injuries, visiting teams, events, alcohol service, equipment theft, and business interruption.

Sports facility insurance for lawn bowls clubs is designed to protect:

  • The club’s finances if someone is injured or property is damaged

  • The club’s buildings, contents, and specialist equipment

  • Income streams (bar takings, membership fees, green fees, events)

  • Committees and trustees making decisions on behalf of the club

  • Volunteers and staff supporting day-to-day operations

This guide explains the key covers, common claims, and how to arrange insurance that fits how your bowls club actually operates.

What is bowls club sports facility insurance?

Sports facility insurance is typically a package (often a commercial combined policy) tailored for clubs and venues. It can include public liability, employers’ liability, property cover, business interruption, legal expenses, and optional extras like terrorism, cyber, and directors’ & officers’ liability.

For bowls clubs, the “facility” is more than the green. It may include:

  • Outdoor greens and surrounds (banks, ditches, fencing)

  • Clubhouse buildings (including changing rooms)

  • Bar and kitchen areas

  • Storage sheds, maintenance rooms, and plant

  • Car parks, paths, steps, ramps, and lighting

  • Scoreboards, seating, shelters, and signage

Key risks for lawn bowls clubs

Even well-run clubs face predictable exposures. Insurers will look at how you manage these risks.

1) Public injuries on site

Common scenarios include:

  • Slips and trips on wet paths, uneven paving, steps, or worn mats

  • Falls in the car park (poor lighting, potholes, ice)

  • Injuries from moving equipment (benches, rink markers, bowls trolleys)

  • Spectator incidents during matches or open days

2) Member and visitor accidents while playing

Bowls is low impact, but injuries still happen:

  • Strains, falls, and collisions

  • Injuries caused by uneven surfaces or poorly maintained surrounds

  • Incidents involving juniors, beginners, or open-day participants

3) Property damage and theft

Bowls clubs often store attractive targets:

  • Club-owned bowls, jacks, measuring equipment

  • Groundskeeping tools and machinery (mowers, rollers, line markers)

  • Bar stock, cash, and card terminals

  • TVs, sound systems, and kitchen equipment

4) Fire, flood, and storm

Clubhouses can be vulnerable due to:

  • Older electrical systems

  • Kitchens and cooking equipment

  • Storage of cleaning chemicals or fuels

  • Storm damage to roofs, fencing, and outbuildings

  • Flood risk (many greens are on low-lying land)

5) Events, functions, and alcohol service

Many clubs rely on social income:

  • Quiz nights, raffles, live music

  • Private hires (birthdays, wakes)

  • Tournaments and charity days

  • Bar operations and occasional catering

These activities can increase liability, property, and licensing risks.

6) Volunteer and staff exposures

Even if most roles are voluntary, there may be:

  • Bar staff (paid or volunteer)

  • Groundskeepers

  • Coaches

  • Cleaners

If you employ anyone (including part-time), employers’ liability is a legal requirement.

7) Governance and committee decisions

Committees make decisions on:

  • Membership disputes

  • Disciplinary actions

  • Financial management

  • Hiring contractors

  • Safeguarding and equality policies

These decisions can trigger allegations of wrongful acts—even when made in good faith.

Essential covers for bowls club insurance

Below are the core covers most bowls clubs should consider.

Public liability insurance

Public liability covers compensation and legal costs if a third party (member of the public, visiting team, contractor) is injured or their property is damaged due to the club’s negligence.

Typical claims:

  • A visitor slips on a wet entrance and fractures a wrist

  • A car is damaged by a falling branch from club grounds

  • A contractor trips over equipment left on a path

Common limits: £2m, £5m, or £10m depending on club size, visitor numbers, and venue hire.

Employers’ liability insurance (legal requirement)

If the club employs anyone—paid, part-time, casual, or even some volunteers in certain arrangements—employers’ liability (EL) is usually required by law.

EL covers:

  • Injury or illness claims from employees arising from their work

  • Legal defence costs

Common limit: £10m.

Property insurance (buildings and contents)

Property cover protects the physical assets of the club.

Buildings can include:

  • Clubhouse, sheds, storage buildings

  • Fixed signage, fencing, gates nContents can include:

  • Furniture, fixtures, and fittings

  • Bar and kitchen equipment

  • TVs, computers, tills

  • Club-owned bowls and sports equipment

Make sure sums insured reflect rebuild cost (not market value) and include outbuildings.

Business interruption insurance

Business interruption (BI) helps replace lost income and supports ongoing costs after an insured event (like a fire or flood) that disrupts operations.

BI can help cover:

  • Loss of bar and function income

  • Loss of green fees and membership income

  • Ongoing expenses like rent, utilities, and loan payments

Choose an indemnity period that fits real recovery time—often 12–24 months.

Money and theft cover

If you handle cash (bar takings, raffles, membership fees), consider:

  • Money in transit (to the bank)

  • Money on premises during business hours

  • Money in a safe outside hours

  • Theft by forcible and violent entry

Also check security conditions (locks, alarms, safe rating) to avoid claim disputes.

Legal expenses insurance

Legal expenses can support the club with:

  • Employment disputes

  • Contract disputes with suppliers or contractors

  • Licensing issues

  • Debt recovery (unpaid hire fees)

This can be a cost-effective add-on for clubs with limited reserves.

Optional but highly relevant covers

Depending on your setup, these covers can be important.

Directors’ & officers’ (D&O) liability

D&O protects committee members, trustees, and officers if they face claims alleging wrongful acts in managing the club.

Examples:

  • Alleged discrimination in membership decisions

  • Disputes over financial management

  • Claims linked to governance or safeguarding failures

Personal accident cover

Personal accident can provide fixed benefits if a named person (or class of people, like volunteers) is injured.

Useful for:

  • Volunteer grounds teams

  • Coaches and helpers

  • Committee members doing practical work

Equipment cover (including portable items)

If equipment is taken off-site for tournaments or coaching, check:

  • All-risks cover for portable items

  • Cover in vehicles (often restricted)

  • Territorial limits (UK only vs wider)

Terrorism insurance

Some clubs in urban areas or with larger premises consider terrorism cover for buildings and BI.

Cyber insurance

If you store member data, take payments online, or run a website and email accounts, cyber insurance can help with:

  • Data breach response

  • Ransomware incidents

  • Business interruption from cyber events

  • Liability claims related to personal data

Common exclusions and “gotchas” to watch

Insurance is about details. Common problem areas include:

  • Wear and tear / gradual deterioration: maintenance issues aren’t insured events

  • Unattended vehicle theft: cover may not apply if items are left visible

  • Poor security compliance: claims can be reduced if locks/alarms weren’t used

  • Underinsurance: if sums insured are too low, claims can be reduced proportionally

  • Unlicensed alcohol service: can complicate liability and legal issues

  • Contractor management: lack of risk assessments or permits can create disputes

A quick policy review each year can prevent expensive surprises.

Risk management: how bowls clubs can reduce claims

Insurers like clubs that run safely and document what they do.

Practical steps:

  • Keep written risk assessments for the site, clubhouse, bar, and events

  • Maintain inspection logs for paths, steps, lighting, and car parks

  • Use clear signage for wet floors, uneven surfaces, and restricted areas

  • Implement kitchen and bar safety procedures (training, cleaning schedules)

  • Store fuels/chemicals safely and keep fire exits clear

  • Service electrical systems and keep PAT testing up to date where appropriate

  • Keep a simple incident book and record near-misses

  • Vet contractors and keep copies of their insurance

Compliance and governance considerations

While bowls clubs vary (CIC, charity, members’ club, leaseholder), many share similar responsibilities.

Key areas to stay on top of:

  • Health & Safety: basic duties to members, visitors, and workers

  • Fire safety: alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting, evacuation plan

  • Licensing: if you sell alcohol or host regulated entertainment

  • Data protection (GDPR): member lists, emails, payment records

  • Safeguarding: if juniors are involved or you run community programmes

Good governance reduces risk—and can improve insurance terms.

How insurers price bowls club insurance

Premiums are influenced by:

  • Buildings rebuild cost and construction type

  • Claims history (including “near claims”)

  • Bar operations and events frequency

  • Security measures (alarms, locks, CCTV)

  • Visitor numbers and opening hours

  • Volunteer vs paid staff, and the nature of duties

  • Maintenance of grounds and public areas

  • Any previous flooding or subsidence history

The more clearly you can explain your operations, the easier it is to place cover correctly.

What information you’ll need for a quote

To get an accurate, tailored quote, gather:

  • Club address and ownership/lease details

  • Rebuild cost (or recent valuation) and year built

  • Sums insured for contents and equipment

  • Details of bar/kitchen operations and licensing

  • Staffing details (employees, volunteers, payroll estimate)

  • Security details (locks, alarms, CCTV, safe)

  • Event schedule (tournaments, private hires, live music)

  • Claims history (typically 3–5 years)

Quick checklist: is your bowls club properly covered?

Use this as a fast self-audit:

  • Public liability limit matches your visitor numbers and hire activity

  • Employers’ liability in place if anyone is employed

  • Buildings sum insured reflects rebuild cost (including outbuildings)

  • Contents cover includes bar/kitchen and specialist equipment

  • Business interruption covers realistic income and recovery time

  • Money cover fits how you handle cash and banking

  • D&O considered for committee and trustee protection

  • Cyber considered if you hold member data and take payments

FAQs: bowls club sports facility insurance

Do bowls clubs need public liability insurance?

In practice, yes. Even if not legally required, it’s often essential for protecting the club if a visitor or third party is injured on site.

Does public liability cover member injuries?

It can, depending on policy wording and the circumstances. Some policies treat members differently. It’s important to confirm how members, guests, and visiting teams are defined.

If we only use volunteers, do we still need employers’ liability?

Often yes, depending on how volunteers are managed and whether anyone is paid. If in doubt, it’s safer to arrange EL and confirm your setup with your broker.

Are tournaments and open days covered automatically?

Not always. Some policies require you to declare events, especially if they involve alcohol, large crowds, or third-party vendors.

Is the green itself covered?

The playing surface and landscaping may be covered under property insurance, but damage caused by wear and tear or poor maintenance is usually excluded. Accidental damage and storm damage may be covered depending on the policy.

Can we insure equipment taken off-site?

Yes, with portable equipment or “all risks” cover. Check vehicle theft conditions and any single-item limits.

What if we hire out the clubhouse for private functions?

You should disclose this. Hire activity can change the risk profile and may require specific wording or higher liability limits.

Conclusion: protect the club, protect the community

A bowls club is often built on years of volunteer effort, community support, and careful investment in facilities. The right sports facility insurance helps protect that legacy—covering injuries, property damage, income disruption, and the people who run the club.

If you want a policy tailored to your bowls club’s facilities, bar operations, events, and governance structure, Insure24 can help you review your risks and arrange cover that fits.

Get a quote or speak to our team: Call 0330 127 2333 or visit insure24.co.uk to discuss bowls club sports facility insurance.

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