"It's a very big risk"
Irish parents are being warned about renting out bouncy castles due to a growing number of owners without insurance.
They have been told they will be hiring them “at their own risk”.
It is understood hundreds of bouncy castle owners are currently operating without insurance because there is no insurer on the Irish market.
According to
The Irish Independent, UK-based LeisureInsure previously insured bouncy castle owners but pulled out of the Irish market due to high numbers of personal injury payouts.
A Slovenian insurance company Sava also halted dealings in Ireland shortly after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gerry Frawley of the Irish Inflatable Hirers’ Federation told the
publication that they're looking for an alternative, but it has not been easy. "Unfortunately, home-based insurers don’t want to know about this.”
With Communions and Confirmations due to begin in the Autumn, there's no doubt parents will be looking to hire bouncy castles for their celebrations.
However, Mr. Frawley stressed that it is a big gamble.
"When you get inflatables insured, the insurance company wants to see your safety cert. Now because there’s no insurance, there’s not as much incentive for them to have it safety tested.
“It’s a very big risk [trading without insurance]. The company or the person hiring the bouncing castle will find themselves in financial difficulties.”
The sector has called on the Government to take action, but they said they've not listened to their concerns for the past 7 years.
“Despite various meetings and miles of correspondence, they have done nothing.”
