Rider insurance (or lack thereof)

[SteveLyric2]

18 hours ago, Chadster said:

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.

Or maybe riders should read the regs each year?!

[Technik]

19 hours 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.

 

What about our young riders that travel across Europe to represent the ACU in FIM & International open events. Are they fully covered for travel & racing time whilst away from UK Borders.

[Wee Eck]

4 hours ago, Technik said:

What about our young riders that travel across Europe to represent the ACU in FIM & International open events. Are they fully covered for travel & racing time whilst away from UK Borders.

If the ACU insurance is now the same for speedway as all other disciplines then yes, they’ll be covered. Under the previous arrangements, they weren’t. 

[SPEEDY69]

Looks like an improvement to me, from the info posted on here. 

[Technik]

22 hours ago, Wee Eck said:

If the ACU insurance is now the same for speedway as all other disciplines then yes, they’ll be covered. Under the previous arrangements, they weren’t. 

I ask the question as the statement reads to say only ACU permit meetings are covered, If that is the case then FIM & racing in another country would not be covered by an ACU permit. Even an FIM event in the UK may not be covered.

[Triple.H.]

1 minute ago, Technik said:

I ask the question as the statement reads to say only ACU permit meetings are covered, If that is the case then FIM & racing in another country would not be covered by an ACU permit. Even an FIM event in the UK may not be covered.

Maybe they mean an ACU permit covers you if you are representing the Country abroad. You ride in a SGP,SEC,U21,U19 etc qualifier or finals you're representing your Country. 

Riding in the Edward Jancarz memorial for example you're invited to take part, but not representing the country.

[Wee Eck]

29 minutes ago, Triple.H. said:

Maybe they mean an ACU permit covers you if you are representing the Country abroad. You ride in a SGP,SEC,U21,U19 etc qualifier or finals you're representing your Country. 

Riding in the Edward Jancarz memorial for example you're invited to take part, but not representing the country.

I don’t know enough about the insurance side but my understanding is that any ACU licenced rider needs start permission from the ACU for any event abroad. That would then suggest to me that they are covered by the existing personal accident cover available to all disciplines. Previously, ACU licensed speedway riders had to arrange their own cover 

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

17 minutes ago, Wee Eck said:

I don’t know enough about the insurance side but my understanding is that any ACU licenced rider needs start permission from the ACU for any event abroad. That would then suggest to me that they are covered by the existing personal accident cover available to all disciplines. Previously, ACU licensed speedway riders had to arrange their own cover 

Although licences are through the ACU the international licence is different to a domestic one, on top of that you have to have a SCB licence, up till this year a rider was deducted a fee per race for his insurance which was through company’s like doodson’s or George burrows via the SCB, on top of that rider can (and should) get their own cover, this season the cover provided by the SCB has been scrapped and it’s now through the ACU and a higher fee for the licence, I think the problem is too fold, firstly riders were not told or at least barker says they weren’t and secondly it doesn’t cover lost earnings only hospital stay