In this blog from ukactive’s strategic partner, Endsleigh, Scott Crichton – the organisation’s senior risk management consultant – explains key considerations given recent news of BT announcing that it is withdrawing Redcare operations on 1 August 2025.
If you’re a customer of this service, you will need to make necessary changes to your leisure facility’s alarm installations to maintain appropriate remote signalling arrangements and to ensure your continued compliance with insurance requirements.
In those instances where ‘approved’ remote signalling by an accredited alarm installer (NSI or SSAIB) is a condition of insurance contracts for both security and perhaps fire alarms, you will need to contact your intruder and fire alarm installers to discuss the provision of suitable alternatives.
Before choosing a replacement service, it’s important to fully understand the technological specifications that are currently delivered through Redcare; your future service choice will need to provide a similar performance.
Insurance policy considerations
When your insurance is subject to an intruder alarm condition, there is normally a common requirement that the system is maintained in full and efficient working order under an ongoing maintenance contract provided by an alarm company. It also requires registration with an alarm receiving centre, which is linked to police response.
It is also a further common requirement, that any alteration or substitution of any part of the intruder alarm system which would reduce the effectiveness of the system, must not be made without your insurer’s written agreement. If you have used an insurance broker and alterations are made, it’s always advisable to speak to your broker to advise them of any changes so they can liaise with the insurance provider.
Consequences of doing nothing
The consequences of failing to comply with an alarm condition within your policy could be extremely damaging to your leisure business as your insurer may not consider a claim. If the alarm condition is underwritten as a ‘Condition Precedent to Liability’ your insurer would be entitled to reject a claim in the event of a theft or fire (alongside other insured perils), because of non-compliance with the alarm condition.
What you need to do
Although the withdrawal of the BT Redcare service is some way off, there will likely be a spike in the demand for replacement services which will increase closer to the point when the service closes. It’s advisable to review your leisure organisation’s intruder alarm system and make any necessary changes as soon as possible before 1 August 2025 or, at the very least, at renewal of your alarm contract to ensure you maintain policy compliance.
BT advises that your usual BT Redcare contact will be on hand to help answer any questions you may have.
More guidance on things to consider when purchasing intruder alarms is available on the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s website.
To learn more about Endsleigh, click here.
Endsleigh is a member of the ukactive Strategic Partner Group – find out more here.
Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of ukactive.
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