Table of Contents
Is Insurance Needed For UK Metal Detecting?
Metal Detecting Insurance isn’t compulsory in the UK, but there are quite a few good reasons why you should have it.
Metal Detecting isn’t a particularly risky or dangerous hobby so insurance isn’t there to protect you from damaging your equipment or yourself, it is there for the protection of others, in particular protecting the landowner from something that you might accidentally do, or protecting other members of the public from something that you might do.
Most metal detecting clubs and groups require you to have metal detecting insurance if you want to attend one of their organised digs or rallies, so without insurance you will not be able to attend these.
What Cover does Metal Detecting Insurance Provide?
For example lets say you are detecting on farmland and leave a gate open and livestock escape and get onto a public road causing all sorts of issues, damage, clean up costs, peoples time etc. Public liability insurance protects you against the costs related to that small mistake you made by leaving the gate open.
If a animal or person became injured as a result of your actions, maybe tripping up by stepping into a hole that you had left, then having public liability insurance can be used to claim to recover any costs associated with this.
Having metal detecting insurance can therefore be a beneficial advantage when it comes to getting permission to detect on someone’s land. You can explain that you have this amazing, wonderful insurance to protect the landowner whilst you are out there detecting.
Where can I get Metal Detecting Insurance From in the UK?
Comparing Metal Detecting Insurance
In the UK there are four providers of metal detecting insurance.
Most Popular Metal Detecting Insurance
The best known one is the National Council For Metal Detecting (NCMD). This is probably the most popular and user friendly metal detecting insurance available. It provides up to £10m of public liability insurance when detecting on private permissions or group digs and also covers detecting in Europe. You can add your children to your membership at no additional cost and you get a free app on your phone and a free newsletter posted out to you, all for just £8 per year.
Summary
- Up to £10 million public liability insurance
- Coverage for private permissions and group digs
- European detecting coverage
- Free membership for children
- Mobile app and newsletter
- Annual cost: £8
Visit the National Council For Metal Detecting here.
Cheapest Metal Detecting Insurance
Another metal detecting insurance provider is the Federation of Independent Detectorists (FID). There is a joining fee of £5 and then £4 per year membership fees, so less than NCMD but there is ‘only’ £5m of public liability insurance, but this makes it the lowest cost option.
Summary
- £5 million public liability insurance
- £5 joining fee + £4 annual membership
- Ideal for occasional UK detectorists
Visit the Federation of Independent Detectorists here.
Best Value Metal Detecting Insurance
The Association For Metal Detecting Sport (AMDS) provide £10m of public liability insurance for just £5 per year membership along with competitions and a magazine so probably the best value overall but without the overall benefits of NCMD.
Summary
- £10 million public liability insurance
- Competitions and magazine subscription
- Annual cost: £5
- Great for active UK detectorists seeking community engagement
Visit The Association For Metal Detecting Sport here.
Most Comprehensive Metal Detecting Insurance
The fourth provider of metal detecting insurance is Country Cover Club. They provide insurance for a wide range of outdoor activities. Their metal detecting insurance is more expensive than the others at £32.95 per year, but they include £12m of public liability insurance and £10,000 of personal accident cover making it the most comprehensive.
Summary
- £12 million public liability insurance
- £10,000 personal accident cover
- Annual cost: £32.95
- Suitable for serious UK detectorists who engage in multiple outdoor pursuits
Visit Country Cover Club here
Do I Need a licence to go Metal Detecting in the UK?
While you don’t need a specific license for metal detecting in the United Kingdom, obtaining landowner permission is crucial. Detecting without permission is illegal and can lead to serious consequences:
- Prosecution for going equipped for theft
- Charges of actual theft if you remove items from the land
- Potential damage to the UK’s archaeological heritage
- Harm to the reputation of responsible metal detectorists
Remember, private land in Britain is just that – private. Always secure proper permissions before metal detecting, regardless of how insignificant the area may seem. Responsible detecting helps preserve the UK’s rich historical legacy and maintains positive relationships between detectorists and landowners.
By understanding and adhering to UK metal detecting laws and best practices, you contribute to the hobby’s positive image and help ensure its future in Britain’s fields, beaches, and historical sites.
