If your school hires out its sports hall, pitches, MUGA, gym, studio, swimming pool, or changing rooms to the public, you’re effectively operating a “sports facility” as well as an education site. That creates a different risk profile: higher footfall outside normal hours, a wider range of users, more varied activities, and less direct supervision by school staff.
The right sports facility insurance helps protect the school’s budget, governors/trustees, and reputation if someone is injured, property is damaged, or an incident triggers a claim. It also supports smoother lettings: many clubs and organisers will ask for proof of cover before they sign a hire agreement.
This guide explains the key covers for UK schools offering private hire, the claims that commonly arise, and how to structure your insurance so it actually responds when you need it.
Private hire (often called “lettings”) is any arrangement where an external party uses your facilities outside the school’s core educational activities. Examples include:
From an insurance perspective, the key point is this: the hirer’s activity may not be covered under the school’s standard education policy unless it’s declared and specifically included.
Insurance needs vary by site, but most schools that hire out sports facilities should review the following covers.
Public liability covers the school if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged due to the school’s negligence.
Typical examples:
Key points to check:
Employers’ liability is a legal requirement in the UK if you employ staff. It covers injury or illness claims from employees.
Why it matters for private hire:
Even if the hirer “runs the session”, your staff may still be exposed to risk on-site.
Property cover protects the school’s buildings and contents against insured events such as fire, flood, storm, escape of water, vandalism, and theft.
For sports facilities, pay attention to:
If you hire out equipment as part of the booking, make sure it’s included and that theft cover applies when the premises are unattended.
Business interruption covers loss of income and additional costs if an insured event stops you using the facility.
For schools, BI can be relevant where:
Check the “indemnity period” (often 12–24 months). Rebuilding or drying out a sports hall can take longer than you expect.
Legal expenses insurance can help with:
Personal accident can provide fixed benefits if certain injuries occur. It’s not a substitute for liability cover, but some schools add it for volunteers, coaches, or certain events.
If you run bookings through an online system, store personal data, or take card payments, cyber cover can help with:
Even a “simple” lettings process can involve names, contact details, safeguarding documentation, and payment records.
This is one of the most common areas of confusion.
In practice, responsibility is shared:
A well-written lettings agreement should clarify:
Insurance should be structured to match that contract. If the contract says the hirer must carry their own public liability, make sure you actually verify it and keep evidence on file.
Knowing what typically goes wrong helps you put controls in place and avoid claims.
Evening and weekend use increases the chance of:
Controls:
Sports hall floors are a frequent pain point. Damage can occur from:
Controls:
Portable goals, basketball posts, and gym equipment can cause serious injuries if not secured.
Controls:
Out-of-hours access can increase opportunistic theft or damage.
Controls:
If children or vulnerable people attend sessions, safeguarding becomes central.
Controls:
Safeguarding failures can lead to reputational harm and, in some cases, liability claims.
Insurance often fails at claim time due to small details. Common issues include:
If you’re expanding into new activities (e.g., combat sports, climbing walls, trampolines, inflatables, or large tournaments), treat it as a material change and check cover before you take the booking.
A practical approach is to require hirers to provide:
You can also request:
Be careful not to create requirements you don’t enforce. If you state “insurance must be provided” but never check it, you may be left exposed.
Insurers like to see clear controls. Here’s a practical checklist you can adapt.
When you request quotes, be ready to share:
The more accurate the information, the more reliable the cover. Underinsurance or non-disclosure can cause reduced claim payments or declined claims.
Not always, but you do need to ensure your existing school insurance specifically includes private hire/lettings and the activities you allow. Many policies can be extended, but it must be declared.
Many hirers expect £5m as a minimum, and some councils or larger events may require £10m. The right level depends on footfall, activities, and your risk appetite.
Yes. The hirer’s policy covers their negligence; it won’t automatically cover the school’s negligence as premises owner. Both parties should have appropriate cover.
Public liability responds when the school is legally liable (for example, due to unsafe premises or poorly maintained equipment). It does not cover “normal” sporting injuries where there’s no negligence.
Property insurance may cover insured events (e.g., fire, storm, escape of water). Accidental damage cover can help for one-off mishaps, but deliberate damage and wear and tear are usually excluded. Many schools also use deposits and recharge clauses.
Some policies include limited cover for abuse/molestation liability; others exclude it or require specialist extensions. If children or vulnerable people use the facilities, discuss safeguarding exposures with your broker.
Private hire can be a valuable income stream and a great community service, but it needs the right insurance and clear processes. Start by confirming your policy includes lettings and the specific activities you allow, then tighten up your hire agreement, inspection routines, and documentation.
If you’d like, share the types of facilities you hire out (hall, pitches, pool, gym) and the activities you allow, and I’ll help you outline a simple insurance spec you can send to insurers.
Need sports facility insurance for a school that hires out its facilities? Speak to Insure24 for a UK-based review of your lettings risks and a quote tailored to your activities, income, and safeguarding requirements.
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