Insurance for individual members
From 1 January 2024, Standard (Practitioner) and Joint (Practitioner) members are covered, with certain exceptions, within the English Folk Dance and Song Society’s Public Liability Insurance.
PLI is not included within any Senior or Student or 18–30 or Under-18 memberships.
Insurance for Group members
Groups are covered, with certain exceptions, within the English Folk Dance and Song Society’s Public Liability Insurance. Any normal folk activities are covered.
We do not accept as members any groups who use solid full face coloured makeup which could be taken by a reasonable observer as likely to imitate or parody a skin colour different from their own.
All members’ enquiries about Public Liability Insurance should be directed to Adler Fairways Insurance Brokers Limited: email [email protected] or telephone 020 8754 8754.
2025 Insurance Certificate
(‘To whom it may concern’)
for 31 December 2024 to 31 March 2025 (April onwards to follow soon)
PLI Guidance notes (revised December 2023)
Insurance Certificate (PDF)
(‘To whom it may concern’)
for the 12 months from 31 December 2023
Other Common Q&As
Q: Am I covered when my workshop for 20 people is part of a bigger festival/event which has an attendance of considerably over 500?
A: Yes, the 500 limit applies to the people who are actively attending your own activities.
Q: You say that we are covered for ‘any folk activity’, but what are these?
A: The English Folk Dance and Song Society’s aims are to promote folk music, dance and song. This includes, for example, solo or ensemble music performance, for entertainment or enlightenment; social or display dancing; dance calling; solo or ensemble singing; or educational work concerning any of these activities. But this is not an exhaustive list.
Q: Does the folk activity have to be English?
A: No, your traditional or folk activities can originate from anywhere around the world.
Q: We are a folk band and we charge a fee for our services. Are we covered?
A: Yes! As long as you never have an audience of more than 500 people, meaning that your band is not fully commercial.
Q: I am a folk caller/educator/musician/etc and I charge a fee. Am I covered now?
A: Yes! As long as you never have an audience of more than 500 people.
Q: We distribute ‘bring and share’ food. Am I covered?
A: Yes!
Q: Is further documentation or a policy schedule available?
A: See the download links above on this page (efdss.org/insurance).
Q: How long will my policy last?
- Your qualifying activities are expected to be covered under Public Liability for twelve months from your joining or renewal date.
- Before the end of the calendar year, when we renew our own insurance, you can expect to receive a new insurance certificate which will continue to cover you until your membership expires.
- As we re-negotiate our insurance policy each year, insurance from 1 January each year is not guaranteed; however, it is expected to be equivalent, barring exceptional unforeseen circumstances.
Q: What if I have read the guidance and am still unsure – can I speak to someone?
A: Yes, contact Adler Fairways Insurance Brokers Limited: [email protected], telephone 020 8754 8754.
Q: Insurance was previously with Bryan James – what has changed?
A: On 8 September 2023 Bryan James transferred their customers to Adler Fairways, who are regulated and authorised by the FCA. Adler Fairways is a well-established and trusted broker with a team of specialist insurance experts.
Q&As: PLI changes on 1 January 2024
Q: Why did you change eligibility for PLI?
A:
1. To save costs, meaning that we only pay for PLI cover for those members who actually need it.
2. To increase our charitable income, as non-PLI personal membership payments from 2024 are now eligible for Gift Aid claims. Read more: Rationalising benefits, and increasing charitable income
Q: I have Standard membership. Can I still be covered?
A: Yes, but you need to tell us that you require Standard (Practitioner) membership. Standard (Supporter) membership, which is the default membership package, does not include PLI cover. There is no difference in cost between these two strands, and both are available as either Individual or Joint membership.
Q: I have Senior membership. Does this include PLI?
A: No. You will need to convert to Standard (Practitioner) membership. The extra cost to upgrade is still exceptionally good value compared with the price of PLI on the open market.
Q: I have Life membership. Will I continue to be covered?
A: Life members as at 31 December 2023 continue to be covered. We encourage Life members to tell us if they do not in fact need PLI, as this will reduce our costs.
Q: What are your longer-term plans for Public Liability Insurance?
A: Despite ever-increasing costs we are determined to continue offering PLI as a benefit for Group and Standard (Practitioner) memberships for the long-term. We know how important it is for the many members who present valued folk activities in their communities, and more widely.
