1/ As a trainee, am I insured to take people walking/climbing?
Mountain Training does not provide insurance cover for its candidates.
If you are an individual member (not a club member) of the BMC you are covered under the council’s Combined Liability and personal accident insurance policy. This policy “provides protection for claims made against you by third parties due to your negligence, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.” This is NOT professional indemnity insurance and does not cover you if you are working in a paid capacity. This insurance applies to you as a council member regardless of whether or not you hold a qualification or have attended any training courses. For more information please visit the
BMC's insurance page. Club members are covered for Combine Liability but NOT personal accident insurance.
If you are an individual member or a club member of Mountaineering Scotland you are covered under the council’s Combined Liability insurance policy. This policy “provides protection for claims made against you by third parties due to your negligence, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.” This is NOT professional indemnity insurance and does not cover you if you are working in a paid capacity. This insurance applies to you as a council member regardless of whether or not you hold a qualification or have attended any training courses. For more information please visit
Mountaineering Scotland's insurance page.
If you are an individual member or a club member of Mountaineering Ireland you are covered under the council’s Combined Liability and personal accident insurance policy. This policy “provides protection for claims made against you by third parties due to your negligence, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.” This is NOT professional indemnity insurance and does not cover you if you are working in a paid capacity. This insurance applies to you as a council member regardless of whether or not you hold a qualification or have attended any training courses. For more information please visit
Mountaineering Ireland's insurance page.
2/ As a qualified instructor, do I need insurance?
If you are working in a paid capacity, you should have insurance. Full members of the
Mountain Training Association can access public liability and professional indemnity insurance at
specially negotiated rates.
If you are volunteering your services and you are a member of a mountaineering council (BMC, Mountaineering Scotland or Mountaineering Ireland), you will be covered as explained in question 1.