Allotments and public liability insurance

[Hux70]

I have a hive on an allotment along with several others and as swarm season has started a handful of plot holders are kicking up a fuss about a couple of swarms saying they are dangerous etc. They seem intent of getting the hives removed.
Ive only had mine 12months. Do i need any type of insurance, particularly public liability and where would be a good place to get it.
Thanks in advance.

 

[pargyle]

I have a hive on an allotment along with several others and as swarm season has started a handful of plot holders are kicking up a fuss about a couple of swarms saying they are dangerous etc. They seem intent of getting the hives removed.
Ive only had mine 12months. Do i need any type of insurance, particularly public liability and where would be a good place to get it.
Thanks in advance.

BBKA Membership provides you with Insurance but .. allotments are the worst place to keep bees... look for another site NOW ... Someone will get stung by something and your bees will get the blame, the coven will then come after you and eventually (if not sooner) you will be asked to remove your bees.

If you are not a BBKA member then alternative insurance is available but .. it can be difficult finding the right sort of cover and more expensive than joining the BBKA.

https://www.blackfriarsgroup.com/beekeepers-public-liability-insurance/

As a new beekeeper swarm prevention is a must to get your head around as swarms frighten people .. albeit, the bees are generally at their safest in a swarm. You won't get many chances if they continue to swarm.

 

[For want of a better word]

Try NFU Mutual as they appear to cover non business based liability.

In my opinion the BBKA insurance on offer with Association membership is not worth the paper it is printed on... let alone the BDI !!!

Chons da

 

[Barbarian]

I agree with Pargyle.

You could contact your local BKA. In emergencies, bees can sometimes be placed on the association apiary. I am sure that someone could help.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Try NFU Mutual as they appear to cover non business based liability.

In my opinion the BBKA insurance on offer with Association membership is not worth the paper it is printed on... let alone the BDI !!!

Chons da

I found NFU very expensive when I enquired after a quote. They wanted about £700!
I spoke to the suppliers of the BBKA insurance and explained my situation and they assured me I was covered and sent me a letter to that effect.

 

[drex]

Had my bees on allotment for over 10 years and yet to get a complaint. However, I did canvas all plot holders beforehand. Am often stopped by fellow plot holders and asked how the bees are doing. I am fortunate in that I am right on the corner of the site, bees well away from paths with trees in between.
BBKA insurance should cover you.

 

[Wingy]

Had my bees on allotment for over 10 years and yet to get a complaint. However, I did canvas all plot holders beforehand. Am often stopped by fellow plot holders and asked how the bees are doing. I am fortunate in that I am right on the corner of the site, bees well away from paths with trees in between.
BBKA insurance should cover you.

Same here, all other plot holders enquire how the bees are doing and thank me for their bumper crops over the past couple of years. They swear it’s down to the bees. They also get a jar or two of honey.
Not a bad thing but common-sense is needed

 

[Bear]

I had 2 hives on an allotment but it is council owned and 1 of the terms was “no livestock to be permitted”. Only person that complained was a home owner a good bit away saying the bees were entering his house. I moved them but I’m 100% sure it was queen wasps he had coming in not bees. Was April May time when queen wasps look to start after the winter. Didn't want the council involved so moved them. Also if novice beekeepers kept their bees at the allotments that could potentially cause bother. Swarming etc.