tour operators insurance uk

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• Travel Agents & Tour Operators Insurance

Insurance solutions for tour operators and travel agents.

Start your journey with us today. call us on 0800 062 2028, start your journey today., travel agents & tour operators' liability insurance.

This can include tour operators’ liability insurance, including liabilities arising from The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.

With over 30 years’ experience as an independent insurance broker for travel agents and tour operators, we can arrange competitively priced insurance for any business, from small, single-proprietor firms to large UK companies.

We specialise in travel businesses

Because we specialise in insurance for travel companies, we know just how complex your risks can be. Over the years, we’ve developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by tour companies and travel agencies , and can advise you about the types and you may need to protect your business.

Relationships with travel underwriters

Thanks to our long-standing experience arranging insurance for travel agents and tour operators, we’ve developed strong relationships with some of the leading travel underwriters. As a result, we can arrange wide-ranging and competitive insurance solutions for both travel agents and tour operators – suitable for your business.

Insurance for travel businesses can include travel agent’s and/or tour operator’s liability insurance, scheduled airline failure insurance (SAFI insurance), travel bonds (ATOL, ABTA, CPT, IATA, Airline), public liability & employer's liability insurance and product liability cover. It can also include cyber liability insurance, directors’ & officers’ liability cover, supplier failure credit insurance and office/shop/commercial combined insurance.

Travel Agents & Tour Operators Insurance

• 30+ years specialising in insurance for travel agencies & tour operators
• Helpful advice about the type & level of insurance you need
• Cover your liabilities under The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992
• Long-standing relationships with travel underwriters

We can arrange insurance which covers liabilities to the public and employees, as well as cover for claims arising from errors/omissions in client bookings. And our insurance for tour operators covers legal liabilities arising from The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 (including liability for suppliers’ actions). For further information please contact us.

Related Products

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• Kidnap and Ransom Insurance
• Risk Management
• Employee Benefits Consulting
• Financial Wellbeing
• Reward Consulting

Start your journey with Gallagher. Connect with an expert.

Tel. 01905 21681

Tour Operators Liability Insurance

For more advice or a quote just get in touch 01905 21681

Why do I need Tour Operators Liability insurance?

Tour Operators and travel agents are responsible for ‘proper performance of the contract’, this means they can be held liable if aspects of the trip or holiday don’t go to plan, which can include the actions or inactions of subcontractors & suppliers.

Tour operator’s liability insurance, or travel agent insurance , is designed to defend tour operators if they are accused of failing to supply what the customer was expecting, or if something goes wrong on the trip for which the traveller holds you responsible. There are a number of benefits to having tour operators liability insurance, including: 

Protection against Liability

Travel agencies handle various aspects of travel arrangements, including booking flights, accommodations, and activities. If something goes wrong during the trip, such as flight cancellations, lost luggage, food poisening, double booing, or accidents, the agency could be held liable. Travel agency insurance provides protection against lawsuits and claims for negligence, errors, or omissions in their services.

Client Confidence

Having Tour Operators Liability insurance demonstrates professionalism and gives clients confidence in the travel agency’s ability to handle any unforeseen issues. Clients are more likely to trust and choose a travel agency that is insured, knowing that their interests and investments are protected.

Compliance with Regulations  

In many jurisdictions, travel agencies are required to have insurance coverage to operate legally. Tour operators and travel agents in the UK must comply with the Package Travel Regulations, and having the necessary insurance policies ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and avoids potential penalties or legal consequences. 

What does travel agent insurance cover?

A good tour operators   liability insurance policy will combine professional indemnity with public liability , so claims for errors and financial losses can be covered as well as claims for injury, illness or damage. So whether you mis-book accommodation or a customer is injured on an excursion, your policy will be there to assist you.

Package Travel Regulations will advise you if you also need to protect your client’s money with insurance, a bond or a dedicated bank account and if you are arranging flights you should also obtain an ATOL bond.

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• Travel Agents & Tour Operators

Insurance for travel agents and tour operators

Keep travellers protected on their journeys..

One less thing to worry about when planning a trip… school trips, gap years, sports travel. Whatever the reason for travelling, you can rely on our bespoke packages for travel agents, tour operators and education professionals.

Gap year and career break insurance

Whether you send your travellers volunteering, to do conservation work or to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, our gap year and work abroad travel insurance solutions are built around the needs of travel agencies.

We have worked with Endsleigh for many years and have always been impressed with their level of service and attention to detail. We are confident that with Endsleigh’s support, our students are travelling safely and with full protection.

We have been working with Endsleigh since our company’s formation 20 years ago. We always receive a professional and efficient service. We feel that our needs and the needs of our customers are always very well listened and responded to. It is unusual in this day and age to deal with a larger company and still enjoy the personal touch! 

Harrow House International College has had a long and very successful relationship with Endsleigh Insurance Services for several years. We have always found Endsleigh to offer excellent value for money for the comprehensive cover they provide and hassle-free when dealing with them to make claims. We look forward to continuing ourgood relationship with Endsleigh in the future.

At John Leggott College we have been insuring our International Students with Endsleigh for many years. Endsleigh has always provided us with an excellent service and when we have had any students submit a claim they have resolved the claim in a swift manner. We look forward to working with Endsleigh in the years to come.

Our travel agent and tour operator products

Protect your travellers whether they’re working/volunteering/seeking adventure abroad. You can rely on travel insurance solutions from Endsleigh.

Youth and school group travel insurance

Protect your travellers by building cover tailored to their needs. Wherever they’re heading, we’ll protect them along the way.

Sports and adventure travel insurance

Rest safe in the knowledge that your customers are protected by our sports and adventure travel insurance - no matter what they’re getting up to.

UK Holiday accommodation

Protect your clients against loss of income with an insurance solution designed specifically for UK holiday accommodation providers.

Find your possible

Looking for some handy travel tips and tricks? Find out more on the blog!

Keeping your belongings safe at uni

Gadgets: to insure or not to insure, are your christmas gifts protected, 12 amazing lockdown birthday ideas, need to contact us.

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Tour Operators’ Liability

For over 20 years our underwriters have been providing Tour Operators’ Liability insurance and we are proud to be one of the UK’s leading underwriters of Tour Operators’ & Travel Agents’ Insurance.

About Tour Operators' Liability

The first underwriting bespoke insurance solutions for tour operators and travel agents includes:, public/products liability, professional indemnity, employers liability.

• Crisis management

Our extensive experience of the insurance industry – combined with our established reputation and professional negotiation skills – ensures that you will get the best deal for your tour operator or travel agent by coming direct to us.

We continually strive to be innovative and offer tailor-made insurance solutions for tour operators’ and travel agents’ within the travel industry. Our policies are selected to suit the needs of your clients and are underwritten by our specialist team. As well as handling the cover, we also provide insurance protection for DMCs, bed-banks (principal or agent), coach operators and those companies that encompass many of these trading elements.

We are vastly experienced in providing bespoke insurance schemes for the travel industry, our team constantly strive to be innovative in order to offer the best solution for your clients.

Working closely with brokers, our underwriters have a proven track record of producing new products within a short time period whilst ensuring they are fit for purpose, easy to understand, competitively priced and profitable.

Worldwide cover for personal injury and death with limits of indemnity up to £10m. Liability arising from The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements 2018, including accidental damage to property, legal defence costs and indemnity to principals.

Worldwide jurisdiction and limits of indemnity up to £5m. Breach of contract, misrepresentation or the mis-booking of any travel services can lead to substantial claims being made against your Tour Operator or Travel Agent.

Crisis Management

Our Crisis Management Insurance provides a professional and comprehensive service that will give your tour operators and travel agents peace of mind in the event of an emergency. Up to £250,000 limit of indemnity.

Meeting the requirements imposed by Employer's Liability Compulsory Insurance Regulations 1998. We can provide cover with a limit of indemnity up to £10m.

Why Choose Us?

• We provide our broker partners with direct  access to decision makers  – so you can get an answer quickly
• We only focus on  specialist and niche sectors  – so we really know our stuff
• We are  agile  and can adapt to your changing needs – there’s no red tape here
• We are committed to  helping our broker partners  succeed – after all, what’s good for your business is good for our business
• We  enjoy speaking to brokers  about the products that we love, and we’re always ready to take your call
• We know it’s important to look after your customers in the event of a  claim  – so we provide a bespoke claims service for each individual product.

Our Financial Strength

First Underwriting were established in 2018 as a highly specialised and niche underwriting business. Our UK parent company is NSM UK Holdings , who are a UK division of NSM Insurance Group . NSM Insurance Group are the leading specialist insurance provider in the USA, with over 1m clients and over $1bn in premiums.

We have a long-term agreement and partnership with our underwriting partners Accredited Insurance Europe Limited (AIEL).

AIEL are wholly owned by Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings Ltd. (RQIH); a company domiciled in Bermuda who are listed on the AIM Stock Exchange in London.

A Rated Insurers

AIEL’s credentials:

• AIEL are rated as A- with a “stable” outlook by A M Best
• AEIL trade through a UK branch which has been approved by the Prudential Regulatory Authority.
• RQIH had cash and investments of $1,716 million at 30 June 2021
• Their underwriting programme is supported by A-rated insurance, provided by some of the largest and most secure insurers and reinsurers in the world
• All policies underwritten by AEIL are backed by the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme

Other Products

We have an extensive range of specialist insurance products which are available to our broker partners. First Underwriting continually enhance and develop our product range, in partnership with brokers, to ensure that they are relevant and meet the needs of brokers’ customers. All of our products are underpinned by sustainable pricing coupled with excellent service from experienced underwriters and a first class claims service.

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Tour Insurance

Online tour insurance quotes from peacock insurance.

At Peacock Insurance Services we specialise in tour and tours insurance as well as tour guide insurance.

More regularly referred to as tour operators insurance or tour operator insurance we have developed the knowledge that enables us to search over 40 tour insurance companies in minutes to deliver you the lowest rate on the market for tour insurance.

Why not put it to the test and see how much we can save you?

If you need to talk to one of our experts directly please  Call  02476 437 600

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Travel Insurance

Trust leads to more trust.

James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with a dedicated team of experienced insurance professionals who care about protecting your business.

Insurance for the travel industry

We have provided specialist insurance for tour operators and travel agents for over 20 years. We provide a one stop shop service for the travel industry and whether you are a large international business or an independent UK operator, we are here to help.

Trusted insurance advisor to the travel industry

More than 700 travel agents and tour operators depend on us. We act as the trusted insurance advisor to ABTA and AITO.

We have a thorough understanding of the unique risks businesses face in the fast-moving travel industry. But we also understand that every business is different, and that nobody understands your sector quite like you. That is why we will take the time to fully understand your needs before we advise on the best possible travel and tour insurance programmes for you.

Core areas of cover

• Tour operators liability
• Professional indemnity, including cover for the sale of connected travel insurance
• Employer’s liability, including temporary cover for overseas work
• Crisis management, including 24-hour emergency telephone support, and cover for the costs of employing public relations consultants for reputational management
• Office contents, computers and business interruption insurance
• Cyber insurance, including cover for loss of customer data and system breaches
• Cruise protection, supplier failure and scheduled airline failure cover
• Travel bonds

We are here to help.

Call us on 0207 977 7856 or email [email protected], meet your team leaders.

David Noble

Director of Hospitality and Travel M: 07818 036566 Email David

Client Director M: 07929 754132 Email Vito

David McGregor

Client Director T: 0203 967 1923 Email David

Testimonials

Between James Hallam and Chubb I have had my faith restored in the insurance world. Without putting too fine a detail on it we suffered a Fidelity loss as a consequence of a rogue employee. With the diligent guidance of our Brokers and appointed Adjuster we simply and successfully navigated the claims process and James Hallam mitigated the pain and upset with bewildering efficiency in swiftly resolving the financial impact that blind-sided us at the time. Suffering such a loss was upsetting enough so the professional and supportive manner by which we were guided through the process proved the worth of an intelligent and customer-focussed intermediary.

Thanks to Vito and the team also for their help and subsequent consultancy mitigating exposure to future risk from the lessons learned and, thank you for recommending Chubb and Fidelity Guarantee cover in the first instance.

James A. Beagrie Meon Valley Business Travel

James Hallam has provided strategic and enterprising support from the insurance sector for everything we have done as we have developed. Not only arranging insurance products but also effective consultancy and guidance through what can be a distracting and expensive minefield. Having supported me through both my insurance and travel businesses alike I have no hesitation in recommending their skilled and valued services.

John Bond Jetset Tours

James Hallam has provided us with insurance and risk management advice for a number of years. They really appreciate our business requirements through their own knowledge of the travel industry in general which places them in a unique position within their sector. Their attention to detail and personal service aligns their philosophy with our own

Jacqueline Dobson President, Barrhead Travel

We would highly recommend the services of Vito, and the team at James Hallam who are an absolute pleasure to work alongside. We have found them to be responsive and sensitive to our needs and they always deliver on the insurance products our business requires, with the post renewal customer service and claims support a huge support to our business.

Andrew Stewart CFO Neilson Active Holidays

Tangney Tours are delighted to endorse the insurance products offered by James Hallam. They have a 1st class knowledge of the travel industry the requirements and needs, the services provided, together with the prices offered are absolutely ideal, and we can only say, that we are very satisfied indeed.

John Tangney Tangney Tours Ltd

Since 2018 we have been using the services of James Hallam and have found them to be nothing short of exceptional. Besides being extremely supportive and friendly when undertaking all our insurance renewals, they have also proven to be highly innovative which ensured the work was completely accurately and efficiently.

Their passion and attention to detail is second to none, enabling them to appreciate our requirements and expectations.

At Balkan Holidays we have every confidence in the ability of James Hallam to get the job done which is why we continue to enjoy a successful partnership with the firm to this day. We would have no hesitation in recommending Vito and his team.

Alex Stoyanov Balkan Holidays Ltd

We have been a client for 20 years and would have no hesitation in recommending James Hallam to other travel companies. They have consistently delivered an exceptional level of service and their premiums have remained competitive from year to year.

Ashely Gowing Absolute Travel & Tours Ltd

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Director of Hospitality and Travel

David has been the Director of Hospitality and Travel since 2009.

Starting his insurance career at Landau Manson in 1989, David became a Director in 1998 and its Managing Director in 2006. In 2009, he facilitated its successful sale to the Seventeen Group and is a main board Director of James Hallam.

Passionate about the hospitality sector, David was as a trustee of the Springboard Charity for 10 years, helping disadvantaged people into careers into hospitality, attracting talent and promoting the industry as great place to work. He has further supported the likes of Hospitality Action and Master Innholders by undertaking activities such as treks to China, Nepal and Peru and cycling to the Cotswolds, Paris and Champagne raising significant monies for charity.

David believes in continuous learning and setting goals in both his business and personal life. This was developed from his time as a member of the Academy of Chief Executives.

M: 07818 036566 [email protected]

Client Director

Vito has worked for James Hallam Travel and Tour for over 30 years and was instrumental in the setup of travel schemes following the introduction of package travel regulations in 1992.  He provides consultancy to ABTA, AITO, ITT and ABTOI and is a keen supporter of the Family Holiday Association and ABTA Lifeline.

M: 07929 754132 [email protected]

David and his team joined James Hallam in 2023 following the purchase of McGregor Insurance Services. Starting his career as a Lloyd’s broker, he was a main board Director of Butcher Robinson & Staples International for 14 years before setting up his own business in 2003.

He has specialised in the insurance of Travel companies and Travellers for over 30 years. David is a expert in Package Travel Regulation Liability, Financial Protection and Travel Insurance for business and leisure trips. He has a deep understanding of Travel companies having spent some time running the Health & Safety and Supplier Contracting team of a major UK Tour Operator.

T: 0203 967 1923 [email protected]

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Simplify check-in and boost your marketing efforts with our integrated automated digital waivers.

With SOC 2 Type II and CCPA compliance Xola exceeds industry security standards and insures your data protection.

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Tour operator insurance: 5 considerations to protect your business

When starting a new tour business, one of the most vital steps is protecting your assets. To do so, you will need liability insurance.

While liability insurance is essential, as a new tour operator you may be wondering what you need coverage for and how much it will cost.

In this post, we’ll dive into the ins and outs of liability insurance as well as what you should consider.

Disclaimer – Before we dive in, this post is designed to be a general primer into liability insurance for tour operators. For specific details and questions about different policies, we recommend reaching out to your insurance agent or lawyer.

• What is tour operator insurance?

What types of insurance do I need for my tour business?

How much does liability insurance cost, the 6 most popular types of liability insurance, how to vet tour operator insurance providers, additional best practices for protecting your business, what is tour operator insurance .

Tour operator insurance is a specialized type of insurance designed to protect tour operators as well as travel agents that organize and sell travel packages. It typically covers risks associated with travel planning and execution, such as trip cancellations, delays, supplier failures, and liability issues. This insurance is important because it protects tour operators from significant financial losses and legal liabilities that can arise from unforeseen events or accidents during the tours they organize, ensuring business continuity and customer trust.

If you are thinking about starting or have recently launched a tour business, you may be wondering what to insure and if have enough insurance to cover all of your assets. Let’s get the nitty gritty insurance details out of the way so can focus on the joy of sharing an adventure you love with your guests.

Every business has a unique set of liabilities, so deciding which liability insurance you need comes down to asking yourself this:

What could possibly go wrong and how can I mitigate damage?

While brainstorming “worst-case scenarios” isn’t fun, isn’t it better to have a plan in place if something does go awry?

Here are some examples of potential questions to think through:

• Who will replace the kayak that fell off your rig while transporting the fleet?
• Who covers the emergency medical costs if a customer breaks his leg on your zipline tour and later files a lawsuit to recoup the money he is out from medical bills?
• What happens if one of your tour guides gets COVID-19 after being exposed on a tour?

Deciding what type of coverage you require when you first launch your business will allow you to focus more time on providing a great guest experience.

Keep in mind that most policies are for an entire year, even if your business is seasonal. This is a benefit since your equipment will be covered in the event of loss or damage during the off-season.

In addition, your state may have specific insurance required for your type of tour. For example, Washington state requires workers’ compensation through the Department of Labor and Industries. Additionally, they require minimum coverage for business vehicles of $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $10,000 property damage liability per accident.

The importance of carrying adequate liability insurance

Between 2007-2013, the canoeing industry suffered more fatalities than kayaking, rafting, and paddleboarding combined. Canoeing may seem like a safe enough activity, but this statistic proves that accidents do happen — and why emergency medical coverage is essential.

While a fatality is definitely the worst-case scenario, even a minor customer injury could lead to a personal injury settlement that is not only costly but time-consuming . One case could take years to settle.

Starting and maintaining a business is expensive enough. If you have a fleet of 20 canoes and they are stolen or catch fire, you are looking at a minimum of $5,000 to replace them. Liability insurance helps you eliminate that financial risk.

Your local insurance agency might be able to provide a basic policy that covers all your needs through one plan or with add-on riders. Still, tour businesses might need to have an additional policy through an agency that specializes in tour operations such as Excursion Insurance , CNA International , or XInsurance .

In addition, you should consider how much your assets (equipment and/or property) are worth. It is often better to consider a higher coverage amount that your business can grow into over being underinsured and potentially on the hook in the event something goes wrong.

The level of danger inherent in your business is also a factor. Adventurous activities will require comprehensive policies that cover emergency care and so on. For example, a kayak rental business or walking tour will have lower premiums than a scuba diving business or an axe-throwing venue.

Pro Tip: The average annual plan cost for $1 million in coverage for a tour operator is $350-$700.

There’s a wide variety of liability insurance types offering different levels of coverage depending on the businesses they protect.

Ask your insurance agent to customize your insurance policy or policy package to your specific needs.

1. General/business liability insurance

General/business liability is imperative.

This covers legal fees for customer injury and property loss.

The kayak that fell off your rig? This covers the replacement cost.

This insurance will also cover legal fees to sue for less likely events such as copyright infringement or slander from a competitor.

Perhaps most interesting right now, as many small businesses navigate uncertain times due to the pandemic, is that general/business liability insurance includes legal and relocation fees if your business is wrongfully evicted from a rented building or property.

Here are a few things to consider when looking for the best liability insurance provider:

• Adequate coverage: Ensure that the insurance policy provides sufficient coverage for the risks and liabilities specific to your tour or attraction operations. Assess the nature of your business activities, the number of participants, and the associated risks to determine the appropriate coverage limits.
• Comprehensive policy: Look for a comprehensive insurance policy that covers a wide range of risks, including bodily injury, property damage, personal injury, and advertising injury.
• Certificate of insurance: Request and keep updated certificates of insurance from any subcontractors or vendors you work with. This verifies that they have adequate liability coverage, protecting both parties in case of any incidents or accidents.

2. Auto liability insurance

If you provide transportation for your customers, auto liability will cover both owned and rented vehicles beyond the scope of personal auto policies.

Whether you are transporting paddleboarders to your favorite cove at sunrise in Florida or sunset in California, auto liability covers what you are accustomed to with your personal auto policy, only with higher weight restrictions and limits of liability.

When your business vehicles are insured, any employee may drive. This will allow you to take multiple vehicles (i.e. more customers) on each excursion or have one employee shuttle customers while the other remains on location.

Consider the following before choosing an auto liability insurance policy:

• Commercial auto policy: Look for a commercial auto insurance policy specifically designed for business vehicles. This type of policy provides coverage for accidents, injuries, property damage, and other liabilities that may arise from the use of vehicles in your tour and attraction operations.
• Hired and non-owned auto Coverage: If your business involves renting or using vehicles that you do not own, consider adding hired and non-owned auto coverage to your policy. This coverage extends liability protection to vehicles you rent or borrow for business purposes.
• Driver qualifications: Establish clear driver qualification standards. Ensure that your drivers meet the requirements for your auto liability insurance. This may include age restrictions, valid driver’s licenses, clean driving records, and any specific training or certification requirements.

3. Watercraft liability insurance

Whether the watercraft has a motor or not, this insurance is mandatory in most states for watercraft operators, so ensure it is covered in your general/business liability policy or an add-on rider.

This will cover emergency medical costs for customer injury specific to the watercraft as well as the loss of or damage to personal belongings.

Here are a few considerations to keep in mind as you research watercraft liability insurance:

• Vessel types: First, you’ll need to determine the types of vessels your company will use. Then, verify that your insurance policy covers that specific type of vessel, which can range from motorized boats, sailboats, personal watercraft, or paddle craft.
• Passenger capacity: Assess the passenger capacity of each boat and confirm that the insurance covers the maximum number of passengers allowed on board. Compliance with safety regulations regarding passenger limits is crucial to mitigate risks and ensure proper coverage.
• Waterway restrictions: Understand any restrictions imposed by the insurance provider regarding the waterways in which you can operate. Some policies may have navigational limits or exclusions for certain high-risk areas.

4. Professional liability insurance

Here is another one that you’ll want to add if it is not included in your general/business liability policy.

This is for the mistakes you didn’t mean to make or changes you couldn’t help but make.

Nicknamed the “errors and omissions policy,” professional liability covers the accidents made through typos or data left out of a tour description. It covers legal fees for cases of misrepresentation (the artisan lunch promised is fried Spam sandwiches) or violation of good faith (a loyalty program was shut down or not allowed to be used as promised).

Keep this in mind as you’re choosing your professional liability insurance:

• Retroactive date: Pay attention to the retroactive date mentioned in the policy. This is the date from which the policy coverage starts and typically excludes claims arising from incidents that occurred before that date. Ensure that the retroactive date aligns with your business’s start date or the date you first purchased the insurance.
• Claims-made policy: Professional liability insurance is typically written on a claims-made basis. This means that coverage is triggered by claims made and reported during the policy period. Understand the reporting requirements and ensure that you report any potential claims or incidents to your insurance provider in a timely manner.
• Professional associations: Consider joining professional associations relevant to the travel and tourism industry. Some associations offer access to group insurance plans or negotiated rates for professional liability coverage.

5. Employer liability insurance

Many states require businesses to apply for workers’ compensation through the Department of Labor . If your state does not provide this service at the government level, adding employer liability will protect your business during lawsuits launched by employees as well as pay for employee medical care, disability, and even funeral in the case of a death on the job.

Here’s what to consider when researching employer liability insurance:

• Workers’ compensation laws: Each jurisdiction may have specific rules regarding workers’ compensation coverage limits, eligibility criteria, claim filing procedures, and benefit entitlements. Complying with these laws is crucial to protect both your employees and your business.
• Employee classification: Properly classify your employees based on their job roles and associated risks. Different job categories may have different insurance requirements and premium rates.
• Return-to-work programs: Establish return-to-work programs that facilitate the smooth transition of injured employees back to work after recovering from a workplace injury or illness.

6. Business interruption liability

Seattle, Houston, and Austin shut down due to snow for a week? Impossible.

But then, in February 2021, it happened and interrupted thousands of travel plans.

For tour operators with business interruption insurance, customer refunds due to business closures and trip cancellations were taken care of by their insurance companies.

A natural disaster is an extreme example, but unforeseen events happen all the time.

A rained-out performance or a lightning storm forecast during a water event is more common. While bad weather won’t cause weeks of cancellations, it is money lost.

Here are some practical tips and considerations to keep in mind when it comes to business interruption liability insurance:

• Assessing risks and vulnerabilities: Take the time to assess the potential risks and vulnerabilities that could interrupt your business operations. Consider factors such as natural disasters, fires, power outages, supply chain disruptions, or unforeseen circumstances that could affect your ability to serve customers.
• Waiting period: Keep in mind that most policies have a waiting period before coverage kicks in, so plan accordingly to manage your finances during that time.
• Business continuity planning: Develop a comprehensive business continuity plan that outlines steps to be taken during and after a disruption. Having a well-thought-out plan in place can expedite the recovery process and potentially reduce the duration of business interruption.

Use the following tips to ensure you’re partnering with the right insurance providers:

• Reputation matters: Do your homework and dig into the reputation of potential insurance providers. Look for reviews, testimonials, and feedback from other tour and attraction operators. Don’t settle for a company that leaves a trail of disappointed customers in its wake. You deserve an insurance provider that’s got your back.
• Tailored to your industry: Seek providers that specialize in serving the unique needs of tour and attraction operators. They understand the ins and outs of your industry, the risks you face, and the coverage you require.
• Transparency is key: Nobody likes being kept in the dark, especially when it comes to insurance. Look for providers that are transparent and clear in their communication. You want an insurance partner who explains the terms, conditions, and coverage in a way that makes sense to you. No jargon, no confusion — just straightforward and honest communication.
• Customizable coverage: Your business is unique, so your insurance coverage should be too. Avoid providers that offer rigid, off-the-shelf policies. Instead, opt for those that offer customizable coverage to meet your specific needs. Whether it’s liability, property, or equipment coverage, you should have the freedom to tailor your policy to fit your business like a glove.
• Responsive customer service: In times of crisis, you need a responsive insurance provider who doesn’t leave you hanging. Look for companies that prioritize customer service and have a reputation for being there when you need them the most.
• Easy claims process: The last thing you need when filing a claim is a complicated and frustrating process. Look for insurance providers that have a streamlined and efficient claims process. You deserve an easy-to-navigate system that minimizes paperwork, reduces headaches, and gets you back on your feet as quickly as possible.
• Competitive pricing: We can’t forget about the bottom line. While pricing shouldn’t be the sole deciding factor, it does play a role. Seek out insurance providers that offer competitive pricing without compromising on coverage and service.
• Recommendations and referrals: Don’t be afraid to tap into your network and ask for recommendations. Reach out to fellow tour and attraction operators, industry associations, or trusted colleagues for their input. Personal referrals can provide valuable insights and help you find hidden gems in the insurance provider landscape.

Liability waivers are a simple way to further protect your business. Our post on Liability Waiver Best Practices gives a clear path to how you can use digital waivers to simultaneously protect your business as well as ways you can use this information in your marketing.

In addition, you should also have a cancellation policy, which should be available on your website and in your digital waiver. You should clearly state your terms for how and when guests can cancel a booking as well as your refund policy.

Finally, what emergency medical plans do you have in place? While keeping your first aid kits stocked is probably first on your list, other items to keep near – such as emergency blankets, survival tents, etc. – will depend on your type of tour and customer demographic. For example, if your business is based in Florida, you might want to have an evacuation plan in place for how to board up and secure your venue in case you have to evacuate due to a hurricane.

In sum, taking everything into account, liability insurance is as important of an investment as your equipment. Shopping around for an insurance company that is the perfect fit for your business is as important as shopping around for a vehicle and kayaks.

Writer Carla Vianna

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Cork Bays & Fisher

Cork Bays & Fisher is one of the UK’s most experienced providers of bonds and liability insurance for tour operators and travel agents.  Our expertise can help you find the perfect solution to fit your individual requirements and due to our broad underwriting provisions, we can offer broad insurance protection at competitive prices.

Furthermore, in the event of a claim you are in safe hands as we are well-known for our high levels of service and speed of resolution. In addition to the travel sector, we also operate in the Leisure market, due to our links with our sister brand Shield Total Insurance.  Over 40 years we have built a reputation for delivering professional indemnity, liability, property and motor fleet cover for commercial caravan and motorhome clients. Our strength is our relationships – we work with major dealerships, engineers, storage sites and retailers and have access to major insurers and specialised underwriting agencies.

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The product has been established over 25 years following the Package Travel Regulations in 1992 and we continue to strive to provide insurance, and to articulate our knowledge of the risks within this sector, to best assist our brokers and their clients.

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Tour Guide Insurance

Our dedicated travel risk professionals can arrange tour guide liability insurance which helps protect your business and your customers..

What is tour guide insurance?

Tour guide insurance is a specialist form of cover designed to meet the needs of professional tour guides.

Your duty as a tour guide operator is to place your customer in the heart of the experiences they desire. However, in order to perform your responsibilities and to ensure your customer has a great time you are responsible for ‘proper performance of the contract’, this means that you can be held liable if aspects of the trip or holiday don’t go to plan, which can include the actions or inactions of subcontractors & suppliers.

Our broking specialists have many years of travel industry and insurance experience and know that not all tour guides have the same insurance requirements.

We take the time to thoroughly understand your business, processes, the tours you arrange for clients and where they are located, and how you get clients.

Through building that relationship with you, our modular tour operator policy provides our brokers with the flexibility to design your insurance programme around the needs of your business.

Need Tour Guide Insurance?

For comprehensive tour guide insurance, what does tour guide insurance cover.

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Directors’ and officers’ insurance, employers’ liability insurance (el insurance), management liability insurance, professional indemnity insurance, public liability insurance, why use jensten, a specialist team dedicated to our travel industry clients, we are the trusted broker for 1,000+ clients, flexibility, tailored insurance to the needs of your business, talk to the experts.

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What is 24/7 Tour Operator Crisis Response and Brand Protection

Our core tour operator insurance policy includes a crisis response service that activates when your clients need support from an insured event.

What is an insured crisis event?

Well, this can be any insured event where your customers find themselves in danger and need to help getting to safety and/or repatriation.

Insured events can include:

• Wrongful detention or kidnap
• Accidental or traumatic death
• Political evacuation
• Disappearance of an Insured person
• Hijack of vehicle, aircraft, ship or train
• Violent Crime
• Food poisoning outbreak
• Accommodation fire
• Sinking of any sea or mechanically propelled river vessel
• Mid-air or landing crash of a mechanically propelled aircraft or a hot air balloon
• Motor vehicle accident, necessitating hospital treatment

This service, once initiated, means the right specialist teams are deployed anywhere in the world to get your customers to safety.

Thanks to our flexible approach to our clients, we can offer tour guide insurance quotes to:

• Tour guides working in the UK.
• Tour guides working in the UK and abroad.
• Tour guides working in specialist markets.
• Tour guides working with local groups.
• Tour guides working with incoming (foreign) groups.

If you’d like to know more about tour guide insurance or would like a tour guide insurance quote that’s built around your needs, call us on 0203 705 3014 , and our insurance specialists will be happy to help.

Tour guide insurance is a specialist form of cover designed to meet the needs of professional tour guides.  A typical policy provides tour guides with important covers, such as public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance.

No, but if you have any employees, you are legally obliged to have employers’ liability insurance of at least £5m in place.

Because things can go wrong.  Clients can fall ill, flights cancelled, itineraries changed, or mistakes made in them, or a member of the public can have their property damaged.  All of these can result in claims that tour operator insurance can help you with financially.

The cost of your cover will depend on factors such as where you do your tours, the type and number of clients you have, your claims history, and the countries you operate in.  For a personalised tour guide insurance quote, please call us on 0203 705 3014 , and the team will be happy to help.

Getting a quote is easy.  You can call us on 0203 705 3014, and our dedicated travel insurance team will be happy to help you find the protection you need.  Being independent, we work with a panel of different insurance companies and can help you find the appropriate cover to suit your requirements.

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Which Tour Operator Insurance Is Right for You?

Create the ideal insurance plan for your tour or activity business with this essential guide on all things insurance – from liability and property damage to all of the steps you need to take to create the optimate insurance plan for your operation

by Janelle Visser | 4 December 2023

Every tour operator and guide who’s been at it for a while has their fair share of horror stories. Guests getting injured or sick or worse on tour. Bus breakdowns, accidents or near-misses. In the course of my tour guide career I have already met almost all four horsemen of the apocalypse: (wild) Fire, Flood (and hurricane and blizzard), and of course Pestilence (running a multi-day tour in mid-March 2020 with the coronavirus closing everything behind us). At least I’m still alive: despite many questionable choices in the name of adventure, Death hasn’t caught up with me yet.

Embarking on the journey of running a tour, activity, or attractions company in the travel industry is an exhilarating one, offering unique experiences to travelers. However, the thrill comes hand in hand with a set of risks and uncertainties that can potentially jeopardize the smooth operation of your business. Your safety net — or parachute — in this adventure is none other than a well-crafted tour operator insurance plan.

In this guide, we will navigate through the many considerations of finding the right tour operator business insurance, and understanding the key coverage options essential for the protection of large and small businesses such as tour companies, activity suppliers, visitor attractions and other operators in the in-destination experiences sector. 

Don’t wait until the worst case scenario happens or the four horsemen of the apocalypse are bearing down on you and you’re finding cover to realize you have a dreaded gap in your coverage: prepare now to ensure you have the right insurance coverage in place!

In this article:

• Why Tour Operators Need Specialized Insurance 
• Liability Insurance
• Property Damage Coverage
• Business Interruption Insurance
• Commercial Auto Insurance
• Worker’s Compensation
• Errors and Omissions Insurance
• Commercial Crime Insurance
• Reputation of the Insurance Provider
• Assessment of Business Risks
• Budget and Premium Costs
• Policy Exclusions and Limitations

How to Ensure Comprehensive Coverage for Your Business: Introducing Arival ProShield

Why tour operators need specialized insurance.

Let’s start by unraveling the significance of insurance in the context of the travel industry. Insurance plays a pivotal role in providing a safety net against unforeseen events that could lead to substantial financial losses. 

For tour operators, the risks are unique and multifaceted, ranging from accidents and bodily injuries during tours to cancellations, weather-related incidents, property damage, even cyber liability. Managing these risks necessitates a specialized approach to insurance to ensure you have the right coverage when you need it. 

Distinct from regular travel insurance, which primarily focuses on the needs of the traveler, or general business insurance, which tends to use a one-size-fits-all approach, the right insurance for tour operators should be tailored to address the specific challenges, needs and circumstances faced by those designing and delivering a myriad of unique, immersive and Instagram-worthy experiences.

Key Coverage Options for Tour Operators

1. liability insurance .

Think of general liability insurance as the bedrock of your business protection. It shields you from potential lawsuits or claims made by clients in the event of accidents during a tour. Whether it’s bodily injury or property damage, this coverage is your financial safety net, ensuring you can navigate legal complexities and potential settlements without jeopardizing your business.

Imagine a scenario where a guest sustains an injury during one of your adventures. Tour operator liability insurance steps in, shouldering the financial burden of legal proceedings and potential compensation. General liability insurance is the security blanket that allows your business to weather unforeseen storms and continue thriving.

2. Property Damage Coverage

Property damage coverage comes into play when unexpected events like natural disasters, theft, or vandalism impact the property owned or rented by your tour company. This isn’t just about protecting physical assets; it extends to ensuring the uninterrupted flow of your business operations in the face of property-related incidents.

Picture a scenario where your tour office faces damage from a fire, rendering it temporarily unusable. Property damage coverage becomes your financial ally, mitigating the repercussions and allowing your business to recover and continue operations without facing severe financial setbacks.

3. Business Interruption Insurance

In the ever-changing landscape of the travel industry, business interruption insurance stands as a flexible shield. It provides financial support when your business is temporarily unable to operate due to unforeseen circumstances like pandemics, natural disasters, or political unrest.

Consider the impact of a sudden government-imposed lockdown due to a pandemic. A lot of small businesses in particular struggled a great deal under these restrictions. Managing your insurance program can be a considerable challenge under these circumstances, and business interruption insurance becomes your financial lifeline when cancellation rates go through the roof, covering ongoing expenses and lost income during the closure. It’s the buffer that ensures your business remains financially stable and ready to resume operations when conditions improve.

4. Commercial Auto Insurance

If your tours involve the use of vehicles, such as buses, vans or jeeps, commercial auto insurance is non-negotiable. It goes beyond personal auto insurance, offering protection specific to the commercial use of vehicles within your business operations.

Envision a scenario where one of your tour vehicles is involved in an accident during a guided tour. Without adequate commercial auto insurance, the financial ramifications could be immense. This coverage ensures that your vehicles, drivers, and clients are protected, allowing your business to continue delivering exceptional experiences without unnecessary disruptions.

5. Worker’s Compensation

Your team’s well-being should be paramount. Workers compensation is crucial, especially for roles like tour guides who are exposed to a variety of potential risks during tours. This coverage provides financial support for employees in the event of injuries or illnesses directly related to their work.

Imagine a situation where a tour guide sustains an injury while leading a group through challenging terrain. Workers compensation ensures that medical expenses and lost wages are covered, allowing the injured employee to focus on recovery without facing financial strain. This not only safeguards your employees but also contributes to the overall well-being of your business.

6. Errors and Omissions Insurance

In addition to general liability insurance, errors and omissions insurance, often known as professional liability insurance, is your shield against claims arising from alleged negligence, omissions or mistakes. This professional liability coverage is particularly relevant in scenarios involving misinformation about tour details, incorrect bookings, or oversights in service provision.

Consider a scenario where a guest claims they received incorrect information about the accessibility features during a guided tour, and is unable to join or complete the tour. Without errors and omissions insurance, the financial burden of legal defense and potential settlements could be substantial. This coverage ensures your business is safeguarded against claims related to professional liability, such as unintentional errors and omissions in your tour descriptions and guest communications, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional experiences with confidence.

7: Commercial Crime Insurance

It’s hard to think that someone inside your organization would ever do anything dishonest.  However, you may find it shocking just how often this happens. There are many conditions that can lead to an incident but anytime an employee has access to bookkeeping, bank accounts, credit cards, etc., there is potential for a damaging incident to your business. In addition to general liability and professional liability insurance, this coverage protects against fraud, theft, or other criminal acts that could potentially cripple the financial stability of your business.

Picture a scenario where an employee engages in fraudulent activities, embezzling funds from your tour company. Commercial crime insurance becomes the shield that guards your business against financial losses resulting from such criminal acts. By understanding and addressing potential risks associated with commercial crimes, you can fortify the resilience of your business against external — and internal — threats.

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Factors to Consider When Choosing Insurance Coverage

First of all, you do not need to become an expert in all things insurance. There are two key components to choosing your insurance coverage: your insurance advisor, agent or broker, and the insurance carrier or underwriter. For operators of tours, activities and attractions, finding a reliable insurance advisor to work with, ideally one who is familiar with the nuances of the travel industry, is an important first step.

This advisor should help you navigate through the following steps of assessing the risks your business faces, finding the best policy tailored to your business for the best price, and ensuring there aren’t exclusions and limitations in the policy that leave you uncovered in the event of a claim.

1. Reputation of the Insurance Provider

Choosing a reputable and well-regarded insurance advisor is crucial for the success of your insurance program. The reliability of your insurance agent can impact the efficiency of claims processing, the clarity of policy terms, and the overall experience of managing your insurance program.

Research potential partners thoroughly, checking reviews, ratings, and past claim experiences. Ask how many clients they work with that have similar operations as you. Reach out to other businesses in the tours, activities and attractions sector for recommendations and insights on who they have worked with. A reputable insurance provider not only offers financial protection but also provides peace of mind, knowing that your business is in capable hands when it comes to risk management.

2. Assessment of Business Risks

Your insurance advisor should help you understand the specific risks your business faces, and ensure your policy is tailored to provide effective insurance coverage based on the unique challenges inherent to your business. This assessment takes into account factors such as geographical location, types of tours offered, and the scale of operations — small businesses may have different needs than larger ones. 

For instance, if your tours involve water or aerial activities, the risk profile will differ significantly from a company specializing in historical walking tours. By understanding and analyzing these risks, your insurance agent should guide you to make informed decisions about the types and levels of coverage needed to safeguard your business effectively.

3. Budget and Premium Costs

How much does tour operator insurance cost? This can vary depending on your specific needs and requirements. While comprehensive coverage is crucial, it’s equally important to balance coverage needs with budget constraints. No one wants to pay any more money for insurance than they must. Your insurance agent should help you to evaluate insurance quotes carefully, considering both coverage and premium costs. Recognize that under-insuring could leave your business vulnerable, while over-insuring may strain your budget unnecessarily.

Explore different tour insurance coverage options and discuss your budgetary constraints with your insurance agent to find a balance that meets your financial capabilities without compromising the effectiveness of your coverage. Remember, the goal is to ensure adequate protection for your business without unnecessary financial strain.

4. Policy Exclusions and Limitations

One of the reasons it’s so important to work with an insurance agent familiar with tourism operator insurance is so they can ensure your policy covers what you need it to. The last time you want to find out your parachute has holes in it is when the plane is going down! A thorough understanding of what is not covered under your policy is as important as understanding what is covered. Policies often come with exclusions and limitations that may impact the effectiveness of your coverage. 

For instance, some policies may have exclusions related to specific types of activities or events, or to specific locations. If you add a new tour type that involves a mountain biking component, does your current operator insurance cover that? If you’re a U.S.-based tour company operating primarily in Florida, does your policy include tours to Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands? 

For this reason, it’s imperative that your advisor understands your business, knows the insurance market and has relationships with the limited number of carriers that will underwrite your unique business, and you can trust to make sure is able to design and provide an adequate parachute. You should be able to fully trust that your insurance advisor is acting in your best interest and making sure you are getting appropriate coverage at a fair price.

Navigating the complexities of insurance for tour operators is paramount for the sustained success of your business. From professional liability to business interruption, from bodily injury to cyber liability, there are so many factors to consider. But proper, flexible, customized insurance can be notoriously difficult for tour and activity operators to find. 

For a while now, Arival has been working behind the scenes on a way to help operators in our industry struggling with insurance challenges. Recently, we launched Arival ProShield for U.S. operators, a comprehensive insurance product specifically tailored for tour, activity, and attractions businesses, offered in partnership with Granite Insurance. Learn more about this insurance product, available exclusively to Arival Insider Pro Access members, here .

As you embark on this journey of finding and choosing the right insurance coverage, consider the key takeaways: partner with a reliable insurance provider, understand your risks, and choose comprehensive coverage that’s tailored for your specific needs. 

Or in other words, whatever you do and whoever you do it with, remember: always use protection .

Photo credits: Pexels / Quang Nguyen Vinh, Pixabay, Mati Mango, Tim Mossholder, Arthouse Studio, Vika Glitter, Vlad Deep, APG Graphics, Greg Rosenke.

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5 types of tour guide insurance all tour operator businesses need

By Rezdy — 10 Nov 2018

costs   legal   operations   tour operator

5 types of tour operator insurance and what to consider

Updated November 2021 – As a tour operator, you will be dealing with risks on a daily basis. On top of the typical risks that businesses face, you also face additional risks unique to the tour industry. Protecting your business with specific tour operator insurance will ensure you cover all your bases.

For example, what happens if you have to cancel your tours due to weather or insufficient numbers? or when a customer gets hurt while participating in your tour? These situations may vary in their rarity but the financial damages from these risks are always significant. Luckily, there are many types of insurance plans available to protect tour operators against risks.

With Bob’s Hypothetical Kayaking Tours as an example, we will cover the 5 most important insurance plans your tour needs.

1. Asset & revenue insurance

While the specifics will vary depending on the nature of your tour or activity, you’ll need to consider all areas. This refers to things like:

• Breakdown and damage of business assets (for example fires , burglary, general property, equipment breakdown). All Australian businesses have to ensure company vehicles for third-party injury liability. Your equipment and property investments are at great risk if you don’t insure them. TIP: Make sure to check your own federal or state laws to see what is legally required!
• Business interruption (any interruption to the business which stops the business from making money). This includes interruption through a key person’s illness or bad weather.

If Bob’s Kayaking office was to catch fire and nearly everything was destroyed, Bob would lose money on bookings that would have to be canceled, rent that still needed to be paid, wages that are still payable to his staff, and all of the other regular expenses. A claim on asset & revenue insurance will pay for the expenses of the business while they are unable to operate due to an insurable loss.

2. Public liability insurance

Let’s say Bob can’t catch a break and one of his tour participants loses their phone, laptop, jewelry, and glasses while having the time of their life on his exhilarating kayaking experiences. Public liability insurance will free Bob from any responsibility of paying back the stolen/lost items. Tip: Learn how to write a liability release form here!

While public liability insurance is a very costly form of tour operator insurance (the standard cover is $10M), most agents will refuse to resell your tour unless your tour has one. Remember that if you work with a third-party contractor, you need to make sure that they have public liability insurance in place as well.

3. Workers compensation insurance

Bob can’t manage his kayak operation all by himself! He needs accountants to manage his numbers, tour leaders to run the tours, and maintenance staff to take care of the kayaks. Many tours, such as Bob’s, involve a lot of physical activity on a daily basis. Even employees who work in Bob’s Kayaking office can trip on a cord and hurt themselves.

By having workers compensation insurance in place, you’re protecting your business against costly compensation claims as a result of a workplace accident or illness. Workers compensation has to be taken out for all employees of a Pty Ltd company, including company directors and business owners.

However, business owners aren’t covered by workers compensation if they are a sole trader or a partnership. In this case, you can opt for income protection in the case of accidents and illnesses so you don’t lose revenue while you recover.

4. Commercial Crime Insurance 

As much as Bob values all his staff and employees, sometimes there’s going to be a bad egg. This may be shocking, but theft and misdeed by employees are actually more common than you may think it is. A report published by Embroker states that a shocking 75% of employees admit to stealing at least once from their employers. It is for this reason that Bob should have commercial crime insurance in place as one of his tour operator insurances .

In the event of theft or misdeeds actioned by one of Bob’s staff, commercial crime insurance will cover any losses. This can include missing assets or money misspent on non-work-related purchases

5. Errors and Omissions Insurance

Running a kayak business is very demanding and Bob deals with a variety of customers every day. Making mistakes is inevitable, however, certain hiccups can result in severe damages and ruin Bob’s business reputation. Not only that, but the time spent on recovering and fixing a mistake is time-consuming. 

Errors & Omission Insurance (EOI) will protect Bob’s business from claims that may arise due to mistakes or failure to meet certain criteria of a signed contract. With an E&O Insurance in place, Bob will be covered for any financial losses from the result of errors and omissions. E&O Insurance also covers Bob from any settlement or additional costs related to the mistakes that may arise.

In most cases, EOI is often one of the required forms of business insurance many organizations will need to have in place. This tour operator insurance cost is highly recommended to protect your tour operator business from inevitable human errors.

Where to look for Tourism Insurance

With the 5 types of tour operator insurance covered above, it’s important to do your research prior to signing up with an insurance company. Without the right level of cover, you may be out of pocket after a claim. So it’s critical that you choose the correct tour operator insurance plan and an insurance company that fits well with your tour operator business. 

You can begin your search by:

• Getting quotes from those specializing in tourism insurance
• Asking others in the industry for recommendations
• Contacting your local tourism organization and ask them for recommendations

Once you’ve gathered this information, pick your top three companies from the list and compare their offerings. It’s important to find a policy that’s right for your business, so make sure to do proper research and shop around instead of jumping signing up with the first tour operator insurance company you see.

If you enjoyed this article – 3 types of insurance all tour operators need – then follow the Rezdy blog . There are a lot of marketing tools and resources designed with businesses like yours in mind.

Curious to see if Rezdy is right for you? Start a FREE 21-day trial or request a demo from our friendly team today.

Tour Operator Liability

Stuart Burt 01923 298 428 [email protected]

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Tour operator’s liability is designed to defend tour operators for liabilities arising out of their business operations.

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Why choose financial failure insurance with Towergate?

Cover which meets the package travel & linked travel arrangements regulations.

Easy-to-manage financial failure insurance scheme that meets the 2018 Package Travel & Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations.

ABTA-approved bonding alternative

Scheme fully approved by ABTA as an alternative to bonding.

Financial failure cover can free up cash flow

Passengers money can be released immediately, unlike some methods where cash can only be released once the tour completes.

Put your clients’ mind at rest

A wording can be provided to use on your Website/literature to reassure clients they are protected.

About financial failure insurance

What does it cover, financial failure insurance for tour operators.

As one of the market leaders in financial failure insurance we can help you protect your legal financial obligations to your customers. The 2018 Package Travel & Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations make it illegal to take any consumer money for any package holiday without having the appropriate level of protection in place.

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Our in-house financial failure insurance team have over 30 years' experience in the sector and can advise the right Financial Failure Insurance cover for you. The Financial Failure Insurance we provide is fully acceptable to a number of well-known merchant services suppliers without the need of further security or cash deposits.

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Financial failure insurance FAQs

Why do i need financial failure insurance.

Any UK Tour Operator which offers a package holiday for sale irrespective of destination must comply with the  2018 Package Travel & Linked Travel Regulations . One of the most onerous responsibilities is the need for the tour operator to provide security for passengers’ holiday payments prior to and up to the completion of the package holiday, in the event of the financial failure/insolvency of the organiser/Tour Operator.

The Financial Failure Insurance product, unlike a trust account, will allow an operator to free up cash flow. We will also provide a logo and wording for your literature to confirm you have appropriate cover in place, putting your clients' mind at ease that they are protected at the time they pay for their holiday deposit and full balance.

What is Financial Failure Insurance?

The Financial Failure Insurance is available to all tour operators, travel agents, holiday operators and accommodation/villa providers (subject to status upon application). We have in-house experts that specialise in travel protection insurance, passenger protection insurance and financial failure insurance who can advise the right Financial Failure Insurance cover for you. Speak to one of our Financial Failure Insurance advisers to find out more about the protection we offer.

Why should I get my tour operators insurance from Towergate?

As one of the market leaders in Financial Failure Insurance we can help you protect your legal financial obligations to your customers. We will provide marketing collateral showcasing your partnership with us, helping your customers have more confidence in your brand.

We are also in a Government steering group for Tour Operators Insurance and are therefore aware of the latest regulations and public information so we can help tailor your policies to meet your requirements.

Do you offer Travel Bonds?

Yes, we offer  Travel Bonds  to help you flexibly and safely make the most of your money. Our years of experience have given us detailed knowledge of Travel Bonds and related insurance risks, allowing you to focus on your clients. Speak to one of our specialist insurance advisers to find out more.

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Why do I need Tour Guide Insurance?

As a professional tour operator, you’re tasked with knowing the ins and outs of your blank. We say “blank,” because you could be a tour company guiding people through a city’s downtown, elating taste buds on a wine tour, or growling and roaring with lions on a children’s jungle safari tour at a zoo. Knowing everything about your blank means being able to wax poetic about all the best facets of your blank. But it also means knowing all the worst parts about it too.

“Insurance” is our blank. We know the ins and outs of this industry and why tour guides absolutely need to protect themselves with general liability insurance and professional liability insurance .

Imagine, poor weather in the forecast threatens to cancel the tour. Without a cloud in the sky, and knowing how excited guests are for your tour, you decide to ignore the warning and continue without canceling. Near the end of the tour, a flash of rain douses the entire group. In an attempt to get to cover, two of your tour members collide and an ambulance needs to be called. Both parties conspire to hold you responsible for the medical bills and for negligence on continuing the tour despite the forecast.

It’s the simple factors, often outside of your control and done with the very best of intentions that can escalate to needing insurance. Our Tour Guide General Liability and Professional Liability Insurance was made with the worst-case scenario in mind.

Ensure you have Thimble’s Tour Guide Insurance and keep your business on the route to success.

Quick thinking insurance for small businesses.

What does Tour Guide Insurance cover?

Unforeseen circumstances or an accident shouldn’t spell the end of your business. Thimble’s Tour Guide Insurance is designed to protect tour guides from situations like the below:

Third-party, non-employee bodily injury

At the final stop on the wine tour, a particularly lively guest leans too far back in their chair. Unable to catch themself, they fall backward and catch the corner of the table directly behind them. The paramedic in the ambulance suspects it might be more than a concussion. The guest then expects you to cover any costs that arise from this.

Third-party property damage

Part of your city tour involves renting electric scooters. Though you’re an expert on two wheels, you’ve never dealt with a bee flying into your eye. Losing control, you steer right into a car, leaving a sizable dent. Unfortunately, this wasn’t “just a car;” it was a brand new Rolls Royce. The owner expects to be paid in full.

Defense costs

A family has booked your tour months in advance. They’re flying across the coast for a vacation and this tour has been the only thing their son has talked about. When an unexpected thunderstorm rolls through your city, you’re forced to cancel. The son is devastated, and the parents are especially litigious. Despite having no control of the weather, you need a lawyer, because they’re suing you for a breach of contract.

Errors & omissions

You’ve advertised a new tour for a while, with multiple tour guests waiting patiently for the expedition. Once you set out with your group, one of your clients decides that the excursion doesn’t live up to expectations. They then sue you for false advertising.

How much does Tour Guide Insurance cost?

Our Tour Guide Insurance policy rate reflects the risk factors that are related to your niche. Wine tour guides and museum tour guides, for example, need personalized coverages, and neither party wants to pay for anything they don’t need. That’s why we customize your policy rate to the location you work in, the size of your crew (if you have one), and the coverage limit required.

Thimble’s Tour Guide Insurance is on when you’re working and off when you’re not. Plus, you can add as many Additional Insureds as you’d like for free. That’s game-changing flexibility. That’s insurance done right. Get your free Tour Guide Insurance quote now.

Tour Guide Insurance FAQs

How quickly can I get a Certificate of Insurance?

Quicker than you can say “And if you’ll look to your left.” When you need Tour Guide Insurance, you can get a free insurance quote, and then purchase that policy all within 60 seconds. The COI (Certificate of Insurance) will be sent to your inbox immediately.

Did your friend ask you to cover for them while they’re on vacation? While you’ve never worked for their company before, you decide to accept the job. The manager in charge asks for your Certificate of Insurance. Thanks to Thimble, you can hop on the app and show them your COI within seconds.

With Thimble, you can schedule your coverage up to six months in advance, and if your friend’s plans end up changing, you can cancel your policy penalty-free up to an hour before the coverage was expected to begin. That’s fast and flexible insurance.

If any changes need to be made, consider them done. Add and modify your Additional Insureds at a moment’s notice, right through the Thimble app.

What are the Tour Guide Insurance policy limits?

There are two Tour Guide Insurance policy limits offered by Thimble: $1 million and $2 million. You can choose the one that protects your tour guide business best, depending on the risk factors you’re facing.

Are workplace injuries of my staff covered?

No. General Liability Insurance for tour guides only provides coverage when the injury happens to a third party. If you want to have three extra tour guides working for you, you may want to consider workers’ compensation coverage . In many states, you can only operate legally with workers’ comp in place.

Does Thimble’s Tour Guide Insurance cover damage to my equipment?

Also no. Thimble’s Tour Guide Insurance only provides this protection for third party damage. If you’ve purchased your own Segway to help maximize your efficiency, you may want to consider a commercial property policy to insure your gear.

How do I get Tour Guide Insurance with Thimble?

Getting Tour Guide Insurance has never been easier, thanks to Thimble. All you need is one minute and the Thimble app. Offer some details about your tour guide business, your ZIP code, and the length of your desired coverage (hourly, daily, or monthly), and we’ll send you a quote instantly. From there, click to purchase and you’ll receive your Certificate of Insurance instantly.

Quick-thinking insurance for fast-moving businesses.

Fewer questions. More options. Buy a policy online, in the app, or over the phone in minutes. Get to work before the other guys even call you back.

Any size. Every stage. Get coverage by the job, month, or year. Choose how you pay, then upgrade when business really takes off.

Total Control. Seamless edits. Modify, pause, or cancel instantly, whether work slows down or hiring picks up.

Get covered in minutes. (Then get to work!)

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Revenue and Customs Brief 5 (2024): Tour Operators’ Margin Scheme for business to business (B2B) wholesale supplies

This brief explains that businesses can choose if they want to apply the Tour Operator’s Margin Scheme (TOMS) to business to business wholesale supplies.

Tour Operators’ Margin Scheme for business to business (B2B) wholesale supplies

This brief sets out a technical change to the VAT treatment of business to business (B2B) wholesale supplies in relation to the Tour Operators’ Margin scheme ( TOMS ).

Our policy that businesses have a choice whether to apply the TOMS to these supplies remains unchanged.

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Money latest: New savings account offers 7% interest

A complaints expert has warned local authorities are making it "increasingly difficult" to claim for pothole damage. Read this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news in the Money blog. Listen to the latest Sky News Daily podcast about inflation as you scroll.

Thursday 18 April 2024 08:37, UK

• Spotlight on unpaid carers: 'I'm juggling caring for my dad with dementia, looking after my children and my job'
• How to claim for pothole damage - as expert warns it's becoming 'increasingly difficult'
• Savings Champion: New savings account ofers 7%
• Inflation falls to lowest level since 2021 - but less than predicted

Essential reads

• Ian King analysis: Why an interest rate cut may not come as soon as you think
• Basically...   What is inflation - and how can it affect interest rates?
• How to improve your credit score
• Tourist tax warning - here are 10 cities where you'll need to pay
• Money Problem: My boss ruined end of maternity leave with ultimatum - what are my rights?

By James Sillars , business reporter

The FTSE 100 has recovered a bit more ground in early dealing after Tuesday's sharp losses. 

The index opened 0.4% higher at 7,880, building on a 0.4% gain yesterday. 

The Tuesday rout, on fears of US interest rates remaining higher for longer, saw more than 1.8% of its value lost. 

While the issue remains a concern for investors, miners have dug the FTSE's way to recovery. 

Among other sectors making strides were airline and holiday stocks. That was after easyJet reported strong summer bookings and an easing of first-half losses. 

The no-frills carrier, which makes all its profits in the six months to the end of September, said it expected to be among the fastest growing European airlines. Shares took off by 4.5%. 

Deliveroo stock also gained, by 2.3%, after it returned to order growth in the first three months of the year. 

One deal making waves is a takeover of troubled British music investor Hipgnosis Songs Fund. The FTSE 250 firm, which has a catalogue including rights to work by artists including Shakira, Ed Sheeran, Blondie and Red Hot Chili Peppers, is set to be bought by Concord Chorus. Under the terms of the deal, shareholders of Hipgnosis will get $1.16 per share in cash, valuing the company at $1.4bn (£1.1bn). 

The price, musical and theatrical rights holder Concord said, represented a 30% premium on the recent value of Hipgnosis shares. 

Hipgnosis has been mired by troubles since mid-last year, including valuation concerns, board and legal battles, and a shareholder revolt against a catalogue sale deal that forced a strategic review. 

By Emily Mee, Money team 

A complaints expert has warned local authorities are making it "increasingly difficult" to claim for pothole damage. 

The AA reported last October that pothole breakdowns had hit a five-year high - with the incidents causing tyre punctures, distorted wheels, damaged shock absorbers and broken suspension springs. 

Drivers can expect to pay an average of up to £440 if they hit a pothole and their car sustains damage more serious than a puncture, according to RAC data. 

Scott Dixon, also known as The Complaints Resolver , says an increasing number of drivers are being forced to pay out themselves or claim through their insurance because local authorities are making it "virtually impossible to claim direct". 

In fact, insurer Admiral said pothole-related claims rocketed by 40% in 2023. 

Mr Dixon says this is because local authorities have moved towards a "risk based approach" on claims, which relies on objective opinion and has made it a "grey area". 

He says it's a "lottery" in terms of whether claims will be upheld, with some authorities paying out for less than 1% of claims. 

Who is responsible for paying out? 

Whoever controls the road must maintain it to a suitable standard and pay for repairs.

That means drivers whose cars are damaged by poorly maintained roads are able to claim compensation. 

In England, Scotland and Wales, local roads, B roads and smaller A roads will be maintained by the council.

Motorways and A roads in England are controlled by Highways England, and in Scotland by Traffic Scotland. 

Roads listed as red routes in Greater London are under Transport for London, while all road types in Northern Ireland are controlled by Dfl Roads. 

Should you make a claim? 

It's up to you whether you want to make a claim, or whether you will pay for the repairs yourself or through your insurance. 

It is worth remembering that if you make a claim through the local authority, this is taxpayers' money and could put councils under strain. 

Even if you choose not to claim, you should still report the pothole to prevent it remaining a danger to other road users. 

How to claim 

If you decide to make a claim, you should first report the pothole through  www.fixmystreet.com  or  www.fillthathole.org.uk  - or contact the local authority directly. 

Take photos of the pothole if it is safe to do so, and if you can put your foot by the hole for scale. 

To count as a pothole, it must usually be at least 40mm deep, or the height of two 20p coins. Mr Dixon says the width of the hole is seen as "irrelevant". 

The local authority will want to know exactly where the pothole is so you should provide a sketch (or you can use Google Earth for this). 

You should also get an estimate for the damage to your vehicle so the council knows how much to compensate you. 

Your claim will then be passed on to claims handlers - and you should be prepared for it to be rejected. 

Mr Dixon says authorities often "won't make it easy for you" and you've got to be ready to "put the leg work in" if you want your money back. 

So what can you do next? 

If your claim is indeed rejected, you don't have to give up there. 

Your next port of call is to put in a freedom of information request to your council. 

Every citizen has the right to ask for recorded information held by public authorities, and you can do this by letter, email, social media, online form or fax. 

In your request, you can ask for 12 months' worth of inspection reports on the road in question, how many times the pothole was reported, when the last repair was made and whether it was reported before you hit it. 

FOI requests can take up to 20 working days to come back, so be prepared to wait for it. 

When you receive it back, you should look for whether the last repair was made within the statutory timeframe, whether it was a temporary or permanent repair, and whether it had been reported before you hit it. You should also check for whether it was repaired to the correct specification and criteria. 

Being able to point out negligence may be enough for your claim to be accepted. 

If not, you can go through a small claims court. 

Every Thursday we look at a different savings option, explain the pros and cons, and reveal the best deals on the market (see table below for that).  This week we're talking about the best regular saver accounts.  Savings Champion founder Anna Bowes  says...

The top regular saver rates on offer are pretty static, but we have seen a newcomer to the market recently.

The Co-operative Bank has joined First Direct at the top of the table, offering its current account holders access to a variable rate of 7% on deposits of up to £250 a month, for 12 months. 

The top rates are often only available to those with a current account with that provider, but it's important to check whether opening a new current account just to have access to the regular saver is a good idea.

If you don't have a lump sum to invest, one of the best ways you can get into the savings habit is to open a regular saver account and deposit the amount you can afford the day after you are paid, so it becomes like another bill - but one that you can benefit from in the future.

Regular savings accounts pay some of the top rates available as you are normally restricted by the amount you can deposit, and you may not be able to dip into the cash very often, if at all, over a given term.

In fact, there are usually a number of terms and conditions, to keep an eye on to make sure you earn the interest you are expecting. And some top accounts are only accessible if you hold a current account with the provider. But normally you won’t need to transfer your primary current account.

Regular savings accounts normally offer a fixed rate of interest for a set term, but there are also many variable rate accounts around, so keep your eyes peeled.

By Bhvishya Patel, Money team

Over four days this week, we're speaking to some of Britain's struggling unpaid carers, hearing at times heart-breaking accounts of their physical, emotional and financial struggles.

Today, a daughter who helps care for her father with dementia shares her worries about the future and being able to manage his cost of care.

"You go into a care home and you might have to sell your house and they're taking all your money. I find that mad that you can work all your life and then you don't even have enough to leave your kids. It just all goes on care - it's crazy. Karen Karbritz, unpaid carer

Karen, 49, began caring for her father Alan, 76, with her mother Judy after he was diagnosed with dementia in 2021.

The mother of two, from Hertfordshire, who works as an intelligence analyst for the prison service, says juggling care with her job and raising her two children is difficult and it is always her "work that suffers".

"I've always got a guilt thing because I'm always thinking I should call my parents more, I should pop round more.

"My son is only nine and he has so many activities. I have to juggle the time because it is not fair for him to miss out on stuff.

"My boss sometimes asks if I would like to do overtime and I would like to and get a few extra quid, but when am I supposed to do that?"

After Alan's diagnosis, the day-to-day responsibilities that he took care of, such as finances and household bills, fell to Karen and her mother Judy.

"When it came to finances, Mum had no idea who her mobile phone supplier was or gas provider because my dad did it all. All the things my dad would have done, he now can't do so I'm now doing that," Karen says.

"It's something you've got to do. A lot of my friends are in a similar position, they've got parents who need more support now and then they've got small children and we can't leave them on their own and you're working as well."

Karen says her parents are in a "decent situation" financially and have a couple of properties they rent out which they are able to gain an income from.

Her mother also receives £76.75-a-week in carer's allowance.

"I can imagine if I had to give up my job to care full-time then no way would a carer's allowance allow me to do that. No way at all," she says.

When it came to the future, Karen says she worries about having the financial ability to provide for her parents with the care they need.

"I just got paid yesterday and my account is overdrawn after getting my pay but I can't ask my parents to lend me money," she says.

"Normally, they would be more than happy to help me but now they can't because they never know if they will need the money.

"You go into a care home and you might have to sell your house and they're taking all your money. I find that mad that you can work all your life and then you don't even have enough to leave your kids. It just all goes on care - it's crazy.

"I totally understand they need to keep every penny they've got. Dad might not go into a care home for 10 years or it could be next week. This is the thing you have no idea, it's really hard to plan."

While her father, who worked as a chartered surveyor before his diagnosis, does not need external carers or a care home at the moment, Karen says should he or her mother require care she does not know if she would be able to manage it.

"Every time the phone rings and I see my mum's number I think 'Oh god something has happened to my dad'," she says.

"That's the first thing, you see the number and your heart sinks and you think 'Oh god what now?'

"He's not at that stage where he needs carers, but the thing with dementia is it can suddenly get worse at any time, you just don't know. At the moment he doesn't drive or go for walks by himself.

"I'm quite practical so you know with dementia it is a one-way street, it doesn't get better. But at the moment he knows who we are.

"It's hard for my kids - sometimes my daughter says 'I'm scared I'll go to Grandpa and he won't know who I am'.

"At some point that will happen but while it's not happening I don't want to stress about it because it is not happening.

"If Dad needs to go into a care home you are looking at thousands a week which is just insane.

"Another concern is if something were to happen to my mum - does that mean my dad lives with me? If it does, that means I wouldn't be working because I can't afford to leave him all day.

"Will that mean paying for care for both of them? If that's the case then once their money runs out I will have to pay for it. I don't know if I would be able to manage."

A government spokesperson said: "Unpaid carers play a vital role in the lives of their family and friends, which is why from April we're boosting carer's allowance meaning carers receive an extra £1,500 a year compared to 2010.

"Those in low income households may also be eligible for additional financial support such as universal credit."

You can read the previous parts of our series here:

The day began with the release of the latest inflation figures by the Office for National Statistics at 7am.

Inflation fell to 3.2%, though economists had predicted it would ease further, to 3.1%.

We've dug into the ONS data, which shows that food prices were among the biggest drivers of the inflation drop in March.

This chart, updated with figures released today, shows food and non-alcoholic drinks fell by 0.11 percentage points last month.

"Once again, food prices were the main reason for the fall, with prices rising by less than we saw a year ago," Grant Fitzner, chief economist at the ONS, said. 

This helped bring inflation to its lowest rate for two-and-a-half years. 

Other big downwards drivers included furniture and household goods, and clothing and footwear. 

At the other end of the scale, the largest upward contributions came from communication and transport. 

 By Mickey Carroll , science and technology reporter

"I had just woken up and I got an email that said, 'We're going to have a company-wide meeting'. I knew right away."

James (not his real name) was visiting his family earlier this year when he saw the message.

"I started thinking about everything I was set to lose."

He had worked as a game designer at one of the UK's biggest video game studios for nearly a decade. It was a job he loved and had dreamt of since he was nine years old. But recently he had been worried.

All around him, friends in the gaming industry were being let go.

"My mind was racing, what could I do? I wasn't going to be the only one job-seeking at the moment because there were so many layoffs. They all happened at the same time."

He went to the meeting, where his worst fears were confirmed. The company's chief executive said around 25% of people at the studio would be cut. James was one of them.

Gaming is an anxious world right now. There's been more than 8,000 jobs cut globally since the start of this year and in March, the number of available jobs in the UK hit a record low, according to the report Games Jobs Live.

But in London, as the BAFTA Games Awards 2024 rolled around last week, gamers could just enjoy themselves.

Read the full story here ... 

B&M has said it will open at least 45 stores across the UK in the next year. 

It comes after the discount chain recorded a 10.1% revenue increase in its 2023/24 financial year, with its UK arm seeing sales rise by 8.5% to £4.4bn. 

The company currently trades from 741 stores in the UK under the B&M brand, 335 stores under the Heron Foods and B&M Express brands, and from 124 stores in France.

Chief executive Alex Russo said the group's "relentless focus on everyday low prices, great product ranges and excellence in operational standards" had chimed with customers.

Miss getting a Tango Ice Blast at the cinema? Well, its creator has announced it's releasing limited edition drinks in their iconic flavours. 

The fizzy frozen treat has slowly been disappearing from cinemas since 2019 when Cineworld stopped selling it, and opted to replace it with the Icee product created by Vimto. 

Fans have been disappointed by the decision since then and it seems its owner Britvic has finally produced a drink to satiate their taste buds. 

The drinks company has unveiled its new Tango Raspberry Blast and Cherry Blast drinks, which will be sold exclusively in convenience stores. 

The on-the-go, vegan friendly soft drink will be available from 22 April. 

"Tango's latest launch will look to engage Gen Z shoppers with its bold flavours, striking colours and eye-catching packaging," Britvic said. 

"We expect the launch to appeal to fans of the brand who have come to expect something bold and different from Tango, while attracting new shoppers too." 

Some drivers are being charged nearly 40% APR when paying for their car insurance monthly, according to Which?. 

The consumer champion asked 39 car insurers what APRs were being applied to monthly payments and, while many didn't respond, it found several that were charging similar interest rates to credit cards.

Among those that did respond, Which? found that 1st Central charges between 5% and 39.11%.

It gives customers a personal interest rate after a credit risk assessment, Which? said.

1st Central said: "We understand it is important to customers that we keep the price of insurance as low as possible - and benchmarking tells us that we are competitive for both annual premiums and for those that wish to pay monthly through a credit arrangement.

"We offer a range of APRs from 5% to enable us to provide credit to as many customers wishing to pay monthly as possible, including those with low or poor credit scores. Over the past quarter less than 2% of customers paid our highest APR."

The average rate offered by insurers was found to be 23.37%.

Only two car insurers asked - NFU Mutual and Hiscox - said they do not charge interest on monthly repayments.

What about home insurance?  

Which? also looked into the rates being charged on home insurance and found some insurers were charging nearly 35% APR on monthly payments. 

The highest rate in the study was from Co-op Insurance, which charges between 31.31% to 34.75% APR on monthly payments.

The average across the providers that charge a rate and disclosed it was 23%.

Co-op Insurance works with partners to provide insurance cover - and it said it is looking to reduce rates where possible. It added that it chose to share its rates with Which? as it is committed to transparency.

Fifteen home insurance providers surveyed said they do not charge interest: Bank of Scotland, Halifax, Hiscox, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, MBNA, M&S Bank, Nationwide Building Society, NFU Mutual, SAGIC, Sainsbury's Bank, Santander, TSB, Urban Jungle and Yorkshire Building Society.

Nearly one in five first-time buyers are now in their 40s, data from Santander has shown. 

Around 6,000 agreement in principles were completed for people aged 40-49 by Santander in 2024 alone, its homeownership report found. 

The oldest person to get their foot on the property ladder was 67 - nearly double the average first time buyer age of 36. 

Graham Sellar, head of business development, mortgages at Santander, said there were a number of reasons more people were opting to rent or live with their families until later in life.

"At Santander, we know it can be challenging to save for a deposit and get onto the property ladder, especially for those also juggling rental payments," he said. 

"However, we are here to help our customers in whatever ways we can - at whatever stage of life." 

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