THE new point-to-point season starts today but a number of hunts with fixtures scheduled this autumn have yet to secure sufficient public liability insurance.

Rising insurance premiums are affecting all sectors, especially those which involve high-risk activity and potential claims from members of the public.

Point-to-points are essentially run by hunt clubs who are already facing difficulty in getting insurance for hunting. John D. Lyons of Goggin Insurances, a Dublin firm which includes many hunt clubs among its clients, said: “Hunt clubs have a public liability policy, typically covering liabilities of €2.6 million, and this is usually extended to €6.5 million to cover their point-to-point. That is a requirement of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.

“The first point-to-point of the season is at Oldcastle and the Ballymacads are our clients. There were some issues with renewing the policy this year but we got it across the line to everyone’s satisfaction.”

However, Lyons says that there is a shortage of underwriters in London for this kind of business. “Liberty Insurance are covering the Ballymacads until April 30th, 2022, but they have indicated they are pulling out of the hunt market as policies fall due. I know that the some hunt clubs have seen their policies lapse and if any of those hunts are due to stage fixtures in the coming weeks they are in trouble.”

Lyons mentioned the underwriters Sompo International as one firm who have recently pulled out of the Irish market. “It’s fair to say that the Irish hunt insurance market has been grossly underpriced and has suffered a deteriorating claims experience in the last five years. Many British-based insurers have withdrawn from the Irish market due to Brexit and the claims culture in Ireland.”

He said public liability premiums have increased dramatically this year and show no signs of stabilising.

Tipperary Foxhounds are due to race at Turtulla in November. A spokesperson for the hunt told The Irish Field: “At the moment we only have insurance to cover our kennels. It’s likely that the start of our hunting season will be delayed until we secure full insurance but we are optimistic that we will get it sorted in time for our point-to-point.”

An IHRB spokesman said: “We have always looked for evidence of insurance ahead of point-to-points. We are aware of current difficulties in this area and we will endeavour to assist in any way possible. At this point no hunt has indicated they will not be able to stage fixtures.”