Rider insurance (or lack thereof)

[Dave_minall]

Just saw this from Ben Barker on Facebook following what happened to Tobias Thomsen (hope he gets better soon):

"Really wish tobias a speedy recovery... horrible timing for any accident but to find out we are not insured by the bspl like we have been for the last 30years that I remember... probably get fined for this but as captain of my team this needs addressing... please share this post so this gets addressed and sorted ASAP"

I'm not 100% sure of the ins and outs of this, so hoping someone in the know can shed some light on it, but it sounds pretty bad if the BSPL have moved the goalposts and not told the riders... 

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

23 minutes ago, Dave_minall said:

Just saw this from Ben Barker on Facebook following what happened to Tobias Thomsen (hope he gets better soon):

"Really wish tobias a speedy recovery... horrible timing for any accident but to find out we are not insured by the bspl like we have been for the last 30years that I remember... probably get fined for this but as captain of my team this needs addressing... please share this post so this gets addressed and sorted ASAP"

I'm not 100% sure of the ins and outs of this, so hoping someone in the know can shed some light on it, but it sounds pretty bad if the BSPL have moved the goalposts and not told the riders... 

just spoke to Ben, it seems there is no insurance from the bspl/SCB now, it was deducted from your wages per race but it seems this is not the case anymore, some riders do have personal cover and the Ben fund do help but no insurance is bad and needs to be addressed 

[Dave_minall]

13 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

just spoke to Ben, it seems there is no insurance from the bspl/SCB now, it was deducted from your wages per race but it seems this is not the case anymore, some riders do have personal cover and the Ben fund do help but no insurance is bad and needs to be addressed 

I figured you would be the guy to know. Massive F up that they didn't tell anyone if true! Doubt it'll get sorted now the season has started but we can hope 🫣

[Racin Jason 72]

Under the current leadership the sport is doomed. They are running it into the ground. 

[secsy1]

It appears that since teams no longer have assets that riders need their own insurance as they seem to be classed as self employed.

I do not know the actual facts, but in such a dangerous sport it would be hoped they are all insured in some way.

Self-employed individuals are not typically insured by the hiring company. However, if you are a contractor or subcontractor, you may need to have your own insurance, especially if you are providing tools and uniforms. Employers' liability insurance is generally required for businesses with staff, including self-employed individuals, to protect against potential claims for workplace injuries. It is essential to assess the level of control and independence of the worker to determine if they are considered an employee or a bona fide subcontractor, which can affect the need for insurance. 

 

www.gov.uk+5

 

 

[RS50]

30 minutes ago, secsy1 said:

It appears that since teams no longer have assets that riders need their own insurance as they seem to be classed as self employed.

I do not know the actual facts, but in such a dangerous sport it would be hoped they are all insured in some way.

Self-employed individuals are not typically insured by the hiring company. However, if you are a contractor or subcontractor, you may need to have your own insurance, especially if you are providing tools and uniforms. Employers' liability insurance is generally required for businesses with staff, including self-employed individuals, to protect against potential claims for workplace injuries. It is essential to assess the level of control and independence of the worker to determine if they are considered an employee or a bona fide subcontractor, which can affect the need for insurance. 

 

www.gov.uk+5

 

 

As far as I am aware, riders have been classed as self employed for years.

If so why the change now?

[Fortythirtyeight]

7 minutes ago, RS50 said:

As far as I am aware, riders have been classed as self employed for years.

If so why the change now?

The sport Cost cutting.

All clubs had to pay a ‘match fee’ to the one insurance company , arranged by Godfrey , for cover which was compulsory , this no longer exists it seems and may explain the change in title sponsor of one Lincolnshire based club.

[IainB]

Things like this are normally announced on the SCB website... like when riders were threatened against riding NORA by the withholding of SRBF grants, yet SRBF grants are paid out for track equipment and if your son is in hospital.

Once again the SCB showing itself to be not fit for purpose!

https://www.scbgb.co.uk/news.php?extend.221

Edited 3 hours ago by IainB

[Dave_minall]

The BSPA just posted a statement that follows:

"𝗦𝗖𝗕 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧: 𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 📋

Please note for the 2026 season, riders’ Personal Accident Insurance is now covered by their Federation Licence (e.g – ACU Licence holders insured by the ACU), and not with Attis via the BSP Ltd."

Very interesting that it states" NOW" and not "as of the beginning of the season" - so what does that mean to Charles Wright and Tobi? 

Christ it's like pulling teeth nowadays. 

[ouch]

2 hours ago, Fortythirtyeight said:

The sport Cost cutting.

All clubs had to pay a ‘match fee’ to the one insurance company , arranged by Godfrey , for cover which was compulsory , this no longer exists it seems and may explain the change in title sponsor of one Lincolnshire based club.

The Times They Are A-Changin'

[IainB]

23 minutes ago, Dave_minall said:

The BSPA just posted a statement that follows:

"𝗦𝗖𝗕 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧: 𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 📋

Please note for the 2026 season, riders’ Personal Accident Insurance is now covered by their Federation Licence (e.g – ACU Licence holders insured by the ACU), and not with Attis via the BSP Ltd."

Very interesting that it states" NOW" and not "as of the beginning of the season" - so what does that mean to Charles Wright and Tobi? 

Christ it's like pulling teeth nowadays. 

SCB must read the forum 😂

[Fourentee]

26 minutes ago, Dave_minall said:

The BSPA just posted a statement that follows:

"𝗦𝗖𝗕 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧: 𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 📋

Please note for the 2026 season, riders’ Personal Accident Insurance is now covered by their Federation Licence (e.g – ACU Licence holders insured by the ACU), and not with Attis via the BSP Ltd."

Very interesting that it states" NOW" and not "as of the beginning of the season" - so what does that mean to Charles Wright and Tobi? 

Christ it's like pulling teeth nowadays. 

The now could also mean "in a change from last year", meaning the riders you mention were covered, but is certainly ambiguous and definitely needs clarification.

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

Interesting that the mystery guy at the head of speedway futures Ltd Neil Clayton is an insurance specialist and at one time previously worked for Doodsons who if I’m right we’re the company who insured British speedway

[mikebv]

1 hour ago, Dave_minall said:

The BSPA just posted a statement that follows:

"𝗦𝗖𝗕 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧: 𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 📋

Please note for the 2026 season, riders’ Personal Accident Insurance is now covered by their Federation Licence (e.g – ACU Licence holders insured by the ACU), and not with Attis via the BSP Ltd."

Very interesting that it states" NOW" and not "as of the beginning of the season" - so what does that mean to Charles Wright and Tobi? 

Christ it's like pulling teeth nowadays. 

So, if non ACU licensed, you are insured through your own countries licence, or the licence of the nation you choose to race under?

Presume it must be a global thing then?

Amazing that riders, like Ben Barker, were not made aware of the change pre season...

Amazing, but not surprising.....