FEARS that point-to-points could struggle to get adequate insurance cover this season have been allayed by news of a deal brokered this week by Mark Phelan of Phelan Caswell Insurances.

Last week The Irish Field reported rising insurance premiums and the absence of underwriters were posing problems for numerous hunt clubs who typically extend their usual insurance policies to cover point-to-points run in their name.

Phelan, who is well-known in racing through his firm’s sponsorship of jockeys Paul Townend and Rachael Blackmore, contacted The Irish Field this week to say his company had just finalised a deal with the Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association [IMFA] which will offer insurance to all point-to-points.

“We now have an insurance facility in place which will cover these point-to-points for the next 12 months,” said Phelan. “We have secured an underwriter in the UK and the premium will be in the region of €1,250 per meeting. The policy is similar to the one they had before, covering employers’ and public liability up to €6.5 million. The policy meets the criteria set down by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board [IHRB] and we will be providing the necessary confirmation to the IHRB as part of our service.”

Phelan said point-to-point committees were welcome to contact his colleague Jack Kennedy by email for further details.

David Lalor, chairman of the IMFA, said: “We are just facilitators in this scheme. The brokers needed an association to sign the mandate and we were happy to do that, but I believe that all hunts can benefit from it, not just our members. This is something we have been seeking for a quite some time and I’m delighted it is over the line.”

Email: jkennedy@pcinsurances.ie