Stud Employee Accident Benefit Scheme launched for TBA members

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) is pleased to announce the launch of the Stud Employee Accident Benefit Scheme (or SEABS) brokered by Howden, the global insurance intermediary group. The new scheme enables employers to offer considerable financial support for up to two years to stud employees who are temporarily or permanently unable to work after an accident.   

Open to TBA members who are employers, the Scheme offers weekly payments of up to £400 per week (less SSP) if an employee is unable to work as a result of an injury for up to 104 weeks – or their current pay level if lower (subject to normal payroll deductions) and is not restricted to injuries at work (conditions apply). For those employers who already offer enhanced SSP, the scheme will help to cover costs and for those who don’t, the scheme enables them to offer enhanced SSP with very limited financial exposure. There are additional payments for death and permanent disability at £77,250 up to £154,500 respectively.

The cost of the new SEABS scheme to the Employer is just £96 per employee per year which equates to under £2 per week and offers exceptional value when compared to similar schemes.

Claire Sheppard, Chief Executive of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association said: “With the publication of the Industry Workforce Strategy last month, we are really pleased to get the Stud Employee Accident Benefit Scheme or SEABS off the ground for our members, which demonstrates our commitment to the welfare of the breeding industry workforce.

“The new scheme offers exceptional value for money for employers with stud staff working directly with horses, but who don’t ride, and it's another example of the great value TBA membership offers.”

Sam Bullard, Chairman of the TBA’s Education and Employment Committee added: “The TBA is particularly pleased to announce the launch of SEABS which is in direct response to feedback from our members. Our thanks to Howden Insurance Group for their support in the process and for development of the portal, which is easy to use, and we hope it will be well received by all those studs who employ staff.” 

Ed Harper of Whitsbury Manor Stud commented: “This looks like an excellent scheme at a great time to be providing some extra financial protection for our employees; I expect to be registering the team at Whitsbury".

Catherine Morgan, Head of Equine for Howden Group Insurance added: “We are delighted to have been able to facilitate this new and very important benefit for TBA members. SEABS will allow both large and small studs to act on a level playing field and protect their employees against accidents for a very competitive premium. Howden’s commitment to the thoroughbred industry is well known and we are very excited to be involved in this fantastic initiative to support the breeding sector.

Full details of the new SEABS scheme, and detailed FAQs can be found on the TBA website here with a dedicated portal which will be live from the 4 March whereby studs can pre-register their interest in advance with the policy going live from 31 March 2025.

How it works?

• The Employer must be a TBA member, and the employees must be stud employees in the UK with contracts of employment (including administrative and maintenance staff); all horse facing staff must be included.
• Each participating Employer can register up to three administrators who will have exclusive access to their list of employees on the portal and who will be responsible for creating and updating that list.
• Employee’s details are kept only for the administration of the scheme.
• The TBA will issue quarterly invoices – initially for the listed employees in advance and thereafter with the addition of adjustments for departures and arrivals in the intervening period. 
• Most accidents qualify (and the scheme is not restricted to accidents at work), but horse riding and specific dangerous activities are excluded.  
• The cost to the Employer is £96 per employee per year – under £2 per week – and offers exceptional value when compared to comparable schemes.

There will be a SEABS webinar open to interested parties on Tuesday, 4 March at 12noon for 45 minutes with representatives from the TBA and Howden Group Insurance to run through further details of the scheme which will also be available on-demand thereafter. Employers can register in advance by clicking the link here.