Sounds a dull thing! It is something Allotment Holders have not had to worry about in the past, but in a claims-conscious age, the Association has felt it necessary to insure members for Public Liability. We are also facing an increase in vandalism and breaking into sheds with loss of tools.  Some sheds have been set on fire recently [early march 20008]

This old hut is many people's image of allotments. Modern huts attract more attention and may contain expensive tools and machines

The National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners has a very good Public Liability policy for allotment Association members at a very cheap rate for the cover provided.

It covers any claim by a member of the public who has had some sort of accident and/or injury whilst on a Plotholder’s plot. The liability as well as the duty of care rests on the Plotholder, not on the landlord body.

Claims nowadays could ruin an individual. A recent claim was for a five-figure sum - despite the admitted fact that the claimant was trespassing on the plot concerned.

It would be impossible to get the level of cover on offer at the price outside the scheme, so the insurance cover alone makes the subscription well worth it.

The Allotment Association subscription has to include this extra cost, and the current level of subscription reflects this.

Individual insurance for tools
It is possible that you can insure your tools through your home insurance policy. It is also possible to insure through the Association with "Newspace" insurance on an individual basis.  Sadly, there have been several thefts of rotavators and even simple hand tools lately, with padlocks cropped off &c.  The gate which the council has installed is intended to prevent thieves having vehicular access by day or night to remove stolen goods. No member is safe from this problem, but the gate can be some help. 

The association is enquiring about individual insurance of goods through their insurers who are in partnesrship with the National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardenners, to see what premiums are likely to be.  Watch this website for details.