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.
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
Even well-run clubs face predictable exposures. Insurers will look at how you manage these risks.
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
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
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
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)
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.
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.
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.
Below are the core covers most bowls clubs should consider.
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.
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 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 (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.
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 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.
Depending on your setup, these covers can be important.
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 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
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)
Some clubs in urban areas or with larger premises consider terrorism cover for buildings and BI.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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)
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
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.
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.
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.
Not always. Some policies require you to declare events, especially if they involve alcohol, large crowds, or third-party vendors.
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.
Yes, with portable equipment or “all risks” cover. Check vehicle theft conditions and any single-item limits.
You should disclose this. Hire activity can change the risk profile and may require specific wording or higher liability limits.
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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