Insure after ensuring
November 8, 2022This topic is about insurance for educators, programs or activity hosts (e.g. garden tours) in Permaculture.
This topic crops up every now and then on socials. I have run a few sessions at convergences and heard some tales that made even my eyes widen.
Taking out insurance for public liability, business or professional liability is a philosophy as much as a risk mitigation. The following is my basic explanation to share how I approach the topic; and maybe prompt us to share a few resources and approaches. You will have to get specific insurance or legal advice as every situation is unique.
Risk management means that you do everything you can to identify and manage hazards and risks. Risks are things that will make it uncertain if you can do what you want to do (things that might stop you or make something bad happen – like falls risk at a workshop when pruning an orchard or fire risks when hosting/accomodating workers. Then whatever risk is left over that you can’t address (the residual risk), think about – can you can do things differently so there is even a lower level of risk; and/or whether you get insurance.
The role of insurance in risk management is in exchange for the payment of a known loss (the premium) [paid by you], insurance transfers the financial consequences of covered loss exposures from the insured (you) to the insurance company.
You typically have to take insurance to cover for ‘rare’ or less controllable events e.g. car accidents (at least in Australia). Some funding grants will require you or your group (e.g. incorporated body or trust) to have a certain level of insurance.
I think it is a topic worth understanding but not worrying over or letting that fear stop you from running Permaculture activities. I took public liability insurance out to cover the solarpunk art series of workshops even though the risks were minor and easily controlled (e.g. trip hazards, accidental cutting when making collages)- the cover gave me and my husband peace of mind.
My best tip is to focus on risk management first, and write down what you are doing to control for the hazards and risks (this document shows what you identified, decided to do and checked was working – it might help if needed in any dispute).
What you decide to do about insurance will be different to everyone’s situation – each activity is different, each country’s attitude is different, and your appetite for risk is yours.
Risk advice can be expensive – there are fantastic resources out there but check how valid they are for your own country and circumstances as well.
Resources for risk management on farms (or similar garden based activities) I recommend are here: