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 13 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.....

[heathen52]

Basically yet another balls up by the BSPL, what a useless bunch of clowns they are, but hey never mind we have a new Track and Team so everything is on the up, or so they believe.

[rearingtogo]

Adrian Flux

[coppinpr]

Isn't it a bit soon to be shouting and screaming at the BSPL, it could be correct, but as things read at the moment, it would seem the insurance is still there, just arranged in a different way? true,its not very clear at the moment,but too soon to start running around like headless chickens, let's get the facts first

Edited 6 hours ago by coppinpr

[Glen]

Taken from the ACU website - 

The cost of an Auto-Cycle Union (ACU) competition licence and registration will be subject to a modest increase in 2026 as new-and-improved personal accident insurance becomes integrated into the annual fee as standard.

The decision to set the competition licence fee at £98, the new-for-2026 national trial registration at £50, and the club trial registration at £35 for a full season of ACU competition reflects the national governing body of British motorcycle sport’s commitment to improving rider protection and simplifying how insurance is delivered across its permitted events.

The current insurance model requires organisers to pay for personal accident cover, a cost that is reflected in riders’ event entry fees.

The decision to introduce a new approach in 2026 comes after a two-year review of insurance and safety arrangements across all ACU activity. It also marks the start of a new partnership between the ACU and Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance that will bring increased value and support for riders, organisers and officials.

Central to the new-and-improved personal accident insurance benefits the ACU has secured for its riders in 2026 is hospitalisation payments that will now begin after 72 hours in hospital, rather than the previous 14-day threshold. These payments will be paid daily up to a maximum of £2,000 per hospital stay.

As well as this, public liability cover of £40 million will remain in place for all competitive events run under an ACU permit. These insurance benefits do not apply to non-ACU competitions.

Matthew Edwards-Wear, CEO of the Auto-Cycle Union, said: “Introducing a modest competition licence and registration fee increase is necessary to provide the best insurance package currently available within UK motorcycle sport.

“We are proud the ACU is there for riders if they suffer an injury at one of our permitted events and the benefits that come with the latest personal accident insurance package we’ve secured for 2026 is proof of that commitment.

“Bringing the personal accident payment – which amounts to £20 for an entire season – into the rider licence or registration fee also helps organisers by reducing their event costs and admin. With costs increasing in other areas of motorcycle sport, it’s important the ACU family supports those that do such a great job when organising the events we all compete in.”

I guess Thomsen would need something similar under his Danish licence.

 

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

14 minutes ago, Glen said:

Taken from the ACU website - 

 

The cost of an Auto-Cycle Union (ACU) competition licence and registration will be subject to a modest increase in 2026 as new-and-improved personal accident insurance becomes integrated into the annual fee as standard.

The decision to set the competition licence fee at £98, the new-for-2026 national trial registration at £50, and the club trial registration at £35 for a full season of ACU competition reflects the national governing body of British motorcycle sport’s commitment to improving rider protection and simplifying how insurance is delivered across its permitted events.

The current insurance model requires organisers to pay for personal accident cover, a cost that is reflected in riders’ event entry fees.

The decision to introduce a new approach in 2026 comes after a two-year review of insurance and safety arrangements across all ACU activity. It also marks the start of a new partnership between the ACU and Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance that will bring increased value and support for riders, organisers and officials.

Central to the new-and-improved personal accident insurance benefits the ACU has secured for its riders in 2026 is hospitalisation payments that will now begin after 72 hours in hospital, rather than the previous 14-day threshold. These payments will be paid daily up to a maximum of £2,000 per hospital stay.

As well as this, public liability cover of £40 million will remain in place for all competitive events run under an ACU permit. These insurance benefits do not apply to non-ACU competitions.

Matthew Edwards-Wear, CEO of the Auto-Cycle Union, said: “Introducing a modest competition licence and registration fee increase is necessary to provide the best insurance package currently available within UK motorcycle sport.

“We are proud the ACU is there for riders if they suffer an injury at one of our permitted events and the benefits that come with the latest personal accident insurance package we’ve secured for 2026 is proof of that commitment.

“Bringing the personal accident payment – which amounts to £20 for an entire season – into the rider licence or registration fee also helps organisers by reducing their event costs and admin. With costs increasing in other areas of motorcycle sport, it’s important the ACU family supports those that do such a great job when organising the events we all compete in.”

I guess Thomsen would need something similar under his Danish licence.

 

From what I understand in this saga is the new insurance doesn’t cover loss of earnings like the old system did although it was no where near enough it was something and that has now changed to a system that is more suited to someone like a motox or trails rider,I would estimate that 95% of ACU licence holders over all sports don’t have their chosen sport as their job where as speedway 95% does 

[Chadster]

30 minutes ago, Glen said:

 

I guess Thomsen would need something similar under his Danish licence.

 

Is that the case, I wonder? From the context of Barker's post it seems that it might not be. Whatever, the change seems to have been poorly communicated and the fault seems to lie more with the SCB than with BSPL but ti might prove to be problematic for non-ACU licence holders.