Motorsport event insurance
Many organisers of race meetings and car shows ask traders for public liability insurance before confirming a pitch. Check the trader terms for the cover level they want, send your certificate with your application and tell your insurer about the type of event.
Public liability insurance
If you are unsure what cover suits your trading, speak to an insurance broker or your insurer and describe the events you plan to attend.
Insurance is one of the first things an organiser checks, so having it ready speeds up your application.
Public liability insurance covers claims from members of the public who are injured or whose property is damaged because of your trading. Many organisers ask for it as a condition of a pitch. Our guide to public liability insurance for traders explains the basics.
What organisers usually ask for
If your certificate renews during the season, send the new one as soon as you have it, so your pitch is not held up.
Requirements differ between events, but this list covers what many organisers request.
- A copy of your current public liability certificate.
- A level of cover set out in their trader terms.
- The name of your business matching the certificate.
- Cover that is valid on the date of the event.
- Details of any staff who work on your stand.
Check that your cover fits the event
Keep any written reply from your insurer with your event paperwork, so that you can show it to an organiser who asks.
Do this before you pay a pitch fee. A policy that fits a weekend market may need confirmation for a circuit or a large indoor show.
Tell your insurer where and how you trade. Some policies list the kinds of event they cover, and a motorsport venue can differ from a market or a village fete. Ask your insurer in writing if you are unsure whether your policy applies.
Employers' liability
Many insurers can add it to a trader policy, so ask for a quote that covers both.
This applies to paid staff. Check how the rules apply to casual or family helpers with your insurer.
If you employ people, you generally need employers' liability insurance as well. Check current requirements with GOV.UK or your insurer, and ask the organiser whether they want to see that certificate too.
Stock, equipment and vehicles
Think about theft and weather damage as well, particularly for stock left overnight at a multi day event.
Make a short list of everything you bring to an event, with an approximate value, so that you can talk to your insurer with clear information.
Public liability cover does not usually protect your own stock and equipment. Consider whether you want separate cover for them, and check that your vehicle insurance suits the way you use it at the event.
Safety and site rules
Ask the organiser whether they require a risk assessment from traders, and prepare a simple one for your stand if they do.
Organisers can ask you to leave if your stand breaks the safety rules.
Insurance sits alongside the circuit's own safety rules. Read the trader pack and follow instructions on gazebo weights, cables, vehicle movement and emergency access. Motorsport UK, the governing body for the sport, publishes information on how meetings are run.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need public liability insurance to trade at a race meeting?
Many organisers ask for it before they confirm a pitch. Check the trader terms for the details.
How much public liability cover do I need?
The level is set by each organiser. Read the trader terms and ask them if the figure is not stated.
Does my market insurance cover motorsport events?
It depends on your policy wording. Ask your insurer to confirm in writing that it covers the type of event you plan to attend.
Do I need to send my certificate in advance?
Many organisers ask for a copy with your application or before the event. Check when they want it.
Marquees for larger events
Race meetings and large shows often call for more cover than a single gazebo. Gala Tent makes modular marquees for festivals and events.
Useful pages on our sister sites
Event Industry Trader is published by Gala Tent. These pages from Gala Tent and the wider Gala group go further on the kit, branding and payments covered here.
Where to check the rules
Rules vary by council and by event. Confirm requirements with the organiser and the relevant authority before you act.