Triathlon Ireland has warned its members about training with Cycling Ireland members because of new insurance issues.
The triathlon governing body said it had been made aware that Cycling Ireland’s insurance cover for its members had changed of late.
In reality the Cycling Ireland changes of cover are not new and have been in place for the full 2019 road season.
The insurance cover that applies to Cycling Ireland's members still covers those members for riding alone, training in a group and racing.
But each member must apply under their own personal accident cover rather than one Cycling Ireland member making a claim through another member even if that other member is deemed to be at fault for an accident (see below for more details).
In a statement Triathlon Ireland explained Cycling Ireland's
insurance policy had been modified and did not extend to
participant-to-participant incidents.
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“This means legal liability is not covered by Cycling Ireland's insurance policy if a Cycling Ireland member collides with another person in a group cycle,” Triathlon Ireland said.
"With this in mind, Triathlon Ireland is regrettably forced to instruct all its clubs not to participate in any Cycling Ireland group sessions.
“Triathlon Ireland also instructs its clubs
to ensure that triathlon group cycling sessions are made up
exclusively of Triathlon Ireland licence holders.
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“Furthermore, Triathlon Ireland members will not be
covered under Triathlon Ireland insurance when training with Cycling Ireland
members.
“By limiting group cycling sessions to
Triathlon Ireland licence holders only,
Triathlon Ireland is ensuring that all participants in group club
sessions have the appropriate insurance cover in place.”
The change to Cycling Ireland’s cover is not new and at the Cycling Ireland AGM back in 2017 a presentation on insurance was given. It outlined the costs being incurred by participant on participant claims.
Compensation payouts by Cycling Ireland increased from
€120,909 in 2014 to €499,551 in 2016.
During that same period the federation’s insurance
premium increased from €198,000 to €315,000.
Under the changes, the cost of the cover should stop increasing but that will likely only kick in when claims from the last few years have worked their way through the system.
The full 2019 road season, for example, went ahead based
on the modified insurance cover, which no longer covers participant to participant
incidents.
In a Cycling Ireland fact sheet about insurance cover on its website, the following questions are posed and answered:
Am I covered for cycling on my own?
Yes, provided it forms part of your ongoing training.
Am I covered for cycling with a club or group?
Yes, but participant to participant 3rd party cover is no longer included. If you are involved in an accident that involves another Cycling Ireland member then you most both claim individually under the personal accident policy.
Am I covered for cycling with my local triathlon club?
Yes.
Am I covered for cycling to and from work?
Yes, provided it forms part of your ongoing training.
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