(Query 1) As regards the personal protection policy, is a member covered while engaging in all shooting activities. Eg: should a member be out walking his dog and say fall and break his leg or worse is, that covered? Does it matter if that is outside of the shooting season? or evening or night etc.
(Answer) The Personal Accident Scheme protects Fund Members in the event of personal injury while engaged in Sporting Activity as defined at PART (2) (viii) of the Fund Contract. The PA Scheme would not protect a Fund Member while out walking his dog as described above. However, please note that gun dog training is a facet of Sporting Activity as defined. The Fund Contract and by inference the PA Scheme is silent on such matters as seasonality, daytime and/or night time.
(Query 2) Should a member take out another member’s dog on a hunting foray and say accidentally shoot the unfortunate canine is that covered? or even if the dog causes a car accident while not out with the owner member?
(Answer) Please refer to PART 8 (2) b. of the Fund Contract. You will read that protection does not apply to liability in respect of loss of or damage to property “In the charge or under the control of the Member or any servant or agent of the Member.” So in effect if you brought someone’s dog with you, it would be under your charge and control and therefore excluded from protection in the event of it being shot by you. However, if the said animal CAUSED damage or injury, the Fund would protect you for that as if it were your own dog.
(Query 3) Cover has recently been extended worldwide. If a member is involved in an incident in the states say (given the litigation and awards there) and the award in the courts is for say 18 million. The first 1 is NARGC, the next 9 is our extra purchased cover and who pays the rest? Could this come back to each RGC and Club for instance?
(Answer) No, the maximum liability of the Fund is €10m as set out in PART 9 of the Fund Contract. Once the Fund’s maximum liability is discharged, that’s it. There is no greater duty of care on the part of the Fund or the Association and/or all its constituent organs. We’ve done our job so to speak; fulfilled our contractual obligations.
(Query 4) Under the extra dogs cover, Veterinary fees up to €3,500 if under 8 years and €1,000 if over. Some people are telling us this is incorrect and it is the other way around, please clarify.
(Answer) No, it is not incorrect and it is not the other way around. The Veterinary Fee benefits are up to €3.5K if a dog is under 8 and up to €1K if the dog is over 8. It is important to note that the annual fee for dogs in the latter category is 25% lower than the former.