Knife Throwing Facilities Sports Facility Insurance (UK): A Complete Guide

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Knife Throwing Facilities Sports Facility Insurance (UK): A Complete Guide

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Knife Throwing Facilities Sports Facility Insurance (UK): A Complete Guide

Introduction: why knife throwing venues need specialist cover

Knife throwing has moved from niche hobby to a mainstream activity—often offered alongside axe throwing, archery, air rifle ranges, escape rooms, and other experience-led venues. If you run a dedicated knife throwing facility (or a multi-activity centre that includes knife throwing), your insurance needs are closer to a “sports facility + high-risk activity” profile than a standard leisure policy.

You’re managing sharp implements, controlled throwing lanes, strict supervision, and a customer base that often includes corporate groups, stag/hen parties, and first-timers. That mix increases the chance of incidents—from minor cuts to more serious injuries—plus the usual business risks like fire, theft, equipment damage, and business interruption.

This guide explains the core covers most UK knife throwing facilities should consider, the common exclusions to watch for, and how to present your risk management to insurers so you can secure broader cover at a sensible premium.

What insurers mean by “knife throwing facility”

Insurers will typically classify your business based on:

  • Activity type: knife throwing, tomahawk/axe throwing, archery, airsoft, etc.

  • Venue type: indoor range, outdoor range, mobile pop-up, festival/event operator

  • Customer profile: public sessions, private bookings, corporate events, youth groups

  • Supervision model: coached vs self-directed lanes

  • Safety controls: lane separation, backstops, barriers, PPE, training and rules

Be upfront about exactly what you do. If your proposal form says “sports venue” but you don’t disclose knife throwing, you risk a claim being declined for non-disclosure.

The core policies most knife throwing venues need

1) Public liability insurance

Public liability covers your legal liability if a third party (usually a customer or visitor) is injured or their property is damaged due to your negligence.

For knife throwing facilities, typical claim scenarios include:

  • A participant is injured by a thrown knife due to inadequate supervision

  • A customer slips on a wet floor in the waiting area

  • A spectator enters a restricted area and is struck

  • A knife ricochets due to unsafe target setup

Limit of indemnity: Many venues choose £5m as a baseline; £10m is common if you host corporate events, have higher footfall, or your landlord/contract requires it.

Key detail: Make sure the policy specifically includes knife throwing as an insured activity, not just “sports” or “leisure.”

2) Employers’ liability insurance (if you have staff)

If you employ anyone (including part-time staff, apprentices, and often some labour-only contractors), employers’ liability (EL) is usually a legal requirement in the UK.

EL covers injury or illness claims from employees arising out of their work. For knife throwing venues, that could include:

  • Repetitive strain injuries from setting targets or retrieving equipment

  • Cuts or puncture injuries during maintenance

  • Slips/trips while cleaning lanes

Most EL policies are written at £10m.

3) Property insurance (buildings, contents, fixtures)

Even if you rent your unit, you may be responsible for contents and tenant improvements (fit-out). Property cover can include:

  • Contents: furniture, POS systems, seating, signage

  • Fixtures and fittings: lane barriers, netting, backstops, target systems

  • Stock: knives, spare parts, merchandise

If you own the building, you’ll also need buildings insurance.

Watch-outs:

  • Correct sum insured (avoid underinsurance)

  • Security requirements (locks, shutters, alarm, CCTV)

  • Fire protections (especially if you have a bar/café area)

4) Business interruption insurance

If a fire, flood, or major insured event forces you to close, business interruption (BI) helps replace lost gross profit and can cover ongoing costs like rent, wages, and utilities.

Knife throwing venues are experience businesses—if you can’t operate lanes, you can’t deliver bookings. BI is often the difference between reopening and closing permanently.

Key choices:

  • Indemnity period: commonly 12–24 months

  • Basis of cover: gross profit (recommended) vs gross revenue

  • Additional increased cost of working: e.g., temporary relocation, extra marketing to rebuild bookings

5) Equipment cover (including portable items)

Knives, targets, lane systems, and safety equipment can be expensive to replace. Consider:

  • All risks cover for equipment (accidental damage, theft)

  • Portable equipment if you run pop-ups or events

  • Hired-in equipment if you rent specialist gear

If you do mobile knife throwing at events, make sure the policy includes cover away from your premises and in transit.

6) Professional indemnity (instruction/coaching)

If you provide coaching, instruction, or structured training, professional indemnity (PI) can be relevant—particularly where allegations relate to advice, instruction, or training standards.

Example claim:

  • A participant alleges poor instruction led to an injury

Not every venue needs PI, but if you market coaching, run qualifications, or provide structured programmes, it’s worth discussing.

7) Products liability (if you sell goods)

If you sell knives, throwing accessories, targets, or branded merchandise, products liability can cover injury or damage caused by products you supply.

8) Personal accident cover (optional)

Personal accident can provide fixed benefits if you or key staff are injured and unable to work. This is optional but can be useful for owner-operated venues.

9) Legal expenses insurance

Legal expenses can help with:

  • Employment disputes

  • Contract disputes

  • Tax investigations

  • Pursuing unpaid invoices

It can also include access to legal helplines—useful when you’re handling waivers, customer disputes, or landlord issues.

10) Cyber insurance (for bookings and customer data)

Most venues take online bookings and store customer details. Cyber insurance can help with:

  • Data breach response costs

  • Business interruption due to cyber incidents

  • Ransomware and system restoration

  • Liability and regulatory support

Event, pop-up, and festival knife throwing: extra considerations

If you operate at festivals, corporate sites, or temporary venues, you may need:

  • Event public liability (sometimes required by the organiser)

  • Temporary structure cover (marquees, barriers, fencing)

  • Transit cover for equipment

  • Territorial limits (UK-wide vs specific locations)

Also check contract clauses about:

  • Indemnities you’re asked to give

  • Minimum liability limits

  • Additional insured requirements

Common exclusions and “gotchas” to check

Knife throwing is insurable, but the detail matters. Key areas to review:

  • Activity exclusions: policy must explicitly include knife throwing

  • Unsupervised sessions: some insurers require qualified supervision at all times

  • Age restrictions: cover may be limited for under-18s or require parental consent

  • Alcohol: incidents involving intoxication may be excluded; if you have a bar, controls matter

  • Waivers: waivers help but don’t replace negligence liability; insurers may still expect robust safety systems

  • Security warranties: theft cover may depend on alarms, locks, and keyholder response

  • Hot works: if contractors do welding/grinding, you may need hot works permits

  • Wear and tear: equipment policies won’t cover gradual deterioration

  • Assault and battery: if you have disputes on-site, check whether assault cover is included

Risk management: what underwriters want to see

Strong risk management can improve terms and reduce premium. Insurers commonly look for:

Facility design and lane safety

  • Clearly marked throwing lanes and safety zones

  • Physical barriers or separation between lanes

  • Proper backstops/targets designed for knife throwing

  • Controlled entry/exit points to lanes

  • Adequate lighting and non-slip flooring

Supervision and staff training

  • Trained instructors supervising sessions

  • Documented induction for new staff

  • Clear escalation procedures for unsafe behaviour

  • First aid training and stocked first aid kits

Customer briefing and rules

  • Mandatory safety briefing before throwing

  • Clear written rules displayed on-site

  • Strict “one person throws at a time” controls (where applicable)

  • Retrieval rules: no one enters the lane until all knives are down and instructor confirms

Maintenance and inspections

  • Routine inspection logs for targets, backstops, barriers, and knives

  • Replacement schedule for damaged knives/handles

  • Incident/near-miss reporting and review

Safeguarding and vulnerable customers

If you host youth groups or mixed-age sessions, have:

  • Age policies and supervision ratios

  • Consent processes

  • Staff guidance on safeguarding concerns

Alcohol policy

If alcohol is served or customers arrive after drinking:

  • Clear refusal policy

  • Staff training on intoxication indicators

  • Separation of bar area from throwing area

  • Time buffers between drinking and throwing

Documentation

Underwriters like to see:

  • Risk assessments

  • Method statements for session operation

  • Staff training records

  • Equipment inspection logs

  • Incident logs

  • Customer waiver/acknowledgement forms

How to work out the right sums insured

Getting sums insured right avoids underinsurance and claim reductions.

  • Buildings: rebuild cost (not market value)

  • Contents/fit-out: replacement as new (include lane build, barriers, signage)

  • Stock: peak stock levels (seasonal spikes)

  • BI gross profit: realistic annual gross profit + trend adjustments

If you’re unsure, it’s better to do a proper valuation—especially for bespoke lane builds.

Typical questions insurers will ask (and how to answer)

Expect questions like:

  1. Do you offer knife throwing only, or multiple activities?

  2. Indoor or outdoor?

  3. Max participants per session and per lane?

  4. Instructor-to-participant ratio?

  5. Age limits and safeguarding controls?

  6. Do you serve alcohol?

  7. Any prior claims or incidents?

  8. What safety barriers/backstops are used?

  9. Do you run events off-site?

  10. What are your opening hours and annual turnover?

Answer clearly and consistently. If you have written procedures, summarise them and offer to provide copies.

Landlords, leases, and contract requirements

Many landlords and commercial leases require:

  • Public liability at a specific limit (often £5m–£10m)

  • Employers’ liability if you have staff

  • Buildings insurance (if you’re responsible)

  • Evidence of cover (insurance certificate)

If you operate in a shared unit or leisure complex, you may also need to coordinate responsibilities for communal areas.

Claims examples (realistic scenarios)

To understand why cover matters, here are realistic scenarios:

  • Customer injury claim: A participant enters the lane early during retrieval and is cut. Public liability responds if negligence is alleged.

  • Fire in unit: Electrical fault damages the fit-out and forces closure. Property + BI help you rebuild and cover lost profit.

  • Theft: Knives and POS equipment stolen overnight. Contents/equipment cover responds if security conditions were met.

  • Off-site event incident: A pop-up lane at a corporate event results in an injury allegation. Public liability must include off-site operations.

Choosing an insurer and broker: what “specialist” really means

A specialist market is one that:

  • Has appetite for high-risk leisure activities

  • Understands supervision models and lane design

  • Can include off-site events and portable equipment

  • Offers sensible endorsements rather than blanket exclusions

A broker who knows the space can present your risk properly—highlighting safety systems, training, and controls—so you’re not priced like an unknown risk.

Quick checklist: what to prepare before you request a quote

  • Description of activities (knife throwing, axe throwing, etc.)

  • Venue address, layout, number of lanes

  • Staff numbers and roles

  • Safety procedures and briefing scripts

  • Instructor qualifications/training approach

  • Risk assessments and inspection logs

  • Turnover, payroll, and projected growth

  • Claims history (if any)

  • Off-site events details (how often, where, what setup)

  • Security details (locks, alarm, CCTV, keyholding)

Call to action

Running a knife throwing facility is about controlled fun—and your insurance should reflect that. If you want a quote that properly covers knife throwing (including public liability, employers’ liability, property, equipment, and business interruption), speak to a broker who understands specialist sports and leisure risks.

If you’d like, tell me:

  • whether you’re indoor, outdoor, or mobile,

  • your number of lanes and max participants per session, and

  • whether you serve alcohol,

and I’ll help you shape a quote-ready risk summary you can send to insurers.

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