Will Martyn’s Law change your insurance?

The Act’s public protection requirements concern procedures, measures, documentation, co-ordination, notification and senior oversight where applicable. It does not introduce a requirement to buy terrorism insurance or a particular hall insurance policy.

That does not settle an individual insurance contract. Ask your insurer or broker to explain the terms relevant to your hall. The venue and event duties are not yet in force; the SIA expects commencement in spring 2027, with no exact date confirmed.

What Martyn’s Law requiresMartyn’s Law for village hallsMartyn’s Law for churches

The Charity Commission’s village hall guidance for England and Wales says committees should protect charity assets through appropriate buildings and contents insurance. If the hall is leased, check who is responsible under the lease.

Public liability, cover for volunteers and any employers’ liability obligations also need attention. For a church hall, establish whether it is included in a wider policy and whether the activities and hiring arrangements are accurately described.

• Are the buildings, contents and relevant organisations correctly identified?
• Are values and rebuilding assumptions current?
• Are volunteers and the activities they undertake covered?
• What does the policy say about commercial and non-commercial hirers?
• Do special events need to be discussed before they are advertised or held?

Pool Re provides terrorism reinsurance to insurers offering commercial property cover in Great Britain. It does not sell cover directly to policyholders. Its scheme supports participating insurers’ terrorism cover, including property damage and relevant business interruption.

The underlying policy matters. Ask about damage, loss of access and interruption without damage, rather than assume every terrorism-related loss is included. Pool Re also maintains a Martyn’s Law hub with information for premises and event operators.

Be ready to explain the hall’s use, hiring arrangements, expected attendance and the procedures being prepared. These are useful discussion points, rather than a claim that every insurer will request the same evidence.

ACRE advises hall committees to notify their insurer or broker at the planning stage for special events. Ask for written clarification of anything you intend to rely on, including exclusions and notification conditions.

• Does our current cover include terrorism, and how is it defined?
• Which property, liability and interruption sections could respond?
• What exclusions, excesses, limits and conditions apply?
• Do changes to use, attendance, activities or security arrangements need notification?
• Would you ask for procedure notes, briefing records or other evidence?
• Do any recommendations affect the policy, or are they optional advice?

Insurance and planning for hall eventsTemporary event notices and premises duties

Do not budget for an automatic increase or discount solely because Martyn’s Law exists. Ask about your policy and retain the response with the hall’s records. Insurance arrangements and public protection preparation each need attention.

Start by checking whether the premises qualify. At standard tier, a written plan is recommended but not legally required under the Act; an insurer may separately ask for information under its own terms. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Check your hall’s Martyn’s Law tierStandard tier preparation checklist