What are the most common questions asked by members about the IIHF/ Arachas/ Allianz insurance scheme?
IIHF Insurance Compliance – Frequently Asked Questions (2026)
What do IIHF members need to do to keep insurance cover in place from inception
Insurance and Compliance FAQs
IIHF Insurance Scheme: Frequently Asked Questions
The following answers explain the principal compliance requirements of the IIHF insurance scheme, arranged through Arachas and underwritten by Allianz.
This page provides general guidance for IIHF members. It should be read alongside the current insurance policy documents, IIHF Membership Terms and Conditions, Rules of the Insurance Scheme and Code of Conduct.
What must IIHF members do to remain compliant with the insurance scheme?
Members must:
- accurately declare all inflatables owned, hired, borrowed, leased or otherwise under their control and used in connection with the business;
- ensure that every inflatable has a current and valid Certificate of Safety before it is made available for use;
- use a signed IIHF Default Hire Agreement for every hire;
- complete a Routine Inspection Sheet after each inflatable is installed and before it is made available for use;
- securely retain the required hire agreements, inspection records and supporting documents; and
- comply with all policy conditions and applicable IIHF scheme rules.
Must every inflatable be listed on the insurance schedule?
Yes. Every inflatable under the operator’s control and used in connection with the insured business must be fully and accurately declared.
If an inflatable is purchased, borrowed, leased or otherwise added during the policy year, it must be declared and accepted for cover before being hired out or made available for use.
Failure to declare equipment or disclose relevant information could affect insurance cover and the handling of a claim.
If you are uncertain whether an item needs to be listed, contact the IIHF or Arachas before using it.
What should I do when adding another inflatable?
Contact the IIHF or Arachas and provide the required information before hiring out or using the inflatable.
The equipment must:
- be declared and accepted for insurance;
- be added to the appropriate insurance records or schedule; and
- have a current and valid Certificate of Safety.
Do not assume that newly purchased, borrowed, leased or replacement equipment is automatically covered.
Who can issue a Certificate of Safety?
A Certificate of Safety must be issued by a Suitably Qualified Individual (SQI) who satisfies the applicable legal and IIHF insurance-scheme requirements.
The certificate must:
- relate to the correct inflatable;
- clearly identify the equipment;
- contain the information required by law;
- remain current and valid; and
- be available for inspection when required.
Members must not hire out or make an inflatable available for use without a valid Certificate of Safety.
Find an IIHF-listed inflatable inspector
Is a signed IIHF Default Hire Agreement required for every hire?
Yes. The current IIHF Default Hire Agreement must be completed and signed for every hire, including domestic, commercial, community and event hires.
The agreement should be signed by the person accepting responsibility for the equipment before the inflatable is made available for use.
A signed Hire Agreement provides a written record of the contract between the inflatable operator and the person, company or organisation hiring the equipment. It sets out the terms and conditions of the hire and clearly explains the respective responsibilities of the operator and the customer.
Completed Hire Agreements must be securely stored and retained for a minimum of six years.
Is a routine inspection required for every hire?
Yes. A routine inspection must be completed after the inflatable has been installed and fully inflated, and before it is made available for use.
The inspection must be recorded using the current IIHF Routine Inspection Sheet.
The inspection confirms that important matters have been checked, including:
- the general condition of the inflatable;
- anchorage and restraint;
- the blower and inflation system;
- the electrical supply;
- impact-absorbing mats, where required;
- the suitability of the operating area;
- access and exit arrangements; and
- weather and wind conditions.
Routine inspection records must be securely stored and retained for a minimum of six years.
Reivant documents such as the routine inspection sheet. code of conduct rules of the scheme and hire agreements can be downloaded at the top of the members only section of the website https://www.iihf.ie/members-area/
Why are Hire Agreements and inspection records important?
A signed IIHF Default Hire Agreement records the contract between the inflatable operator and the person, company or organisation hiring the equipment.
It clearly sets out:
- the terms and conditions of the hire;
- the responsibilities of the inflatable operator;
- the responsibilities accepted by the customer or hirer;
- the safety and operating instructions that must be followed;
- the arrangements for supervision and responsible use; and
- the condition in which the equipment was supplied and accepted.
The agreement helps ensure that both parties understand their respective responsibilities before the inflatable is made available for use.
The completed Routine Inspection Sheet provides a separate record confirming that the inflatable was inspected after installation and before use. It demonstrates that important matters such as the condition of the inflatable, anchorage, blower, electrical supply, operating area, impact protection and weather conditions were checked.
Together, these documents help members to:
- demonstrate compliance with the IIHF insurance scheme;
- show that appropriate safety information and instructions were provided;
- record that the required safety checks were completed;
- provide evidence in the event of an accident, complaint or insurance claim;
- comply with recognised safety and operating requirements; and
- protect customers, users and the operator’s business.
These documents are not simply administrative paperwork. They form an important record of the contractual arrangements, safety instructions, installation and inspection associated with every hire.
Are these new requirements?
No. These are established requirements of the IIHF Membership and Insurance Scheme.
They are regularly highlighted to ensure that every member understands what is required and maintains appropriate records for every hire.
Safety certification is also a legal requirement under Irish law. It is not solely an insurance or IIHF requirement.
How long must records be retained?
Signed IIHF Default Hire Agreements and completed Routine Inspection Sheets must be securely retained for a minimum of six years.
Records may be stored electronically, provided they are:
- complete and legible;
- securely stored;
- regularly backed up; and
- capable of being retrieved when required.
Members should use a consistent filing system that allows the records for a particular customer, inflatable and date of hire to be located quickly.
What happens if I do not follow the scheme requirements?
Failure to comply with the policy conditions or IIHF scheme requirements could affect insurance cover and the handling of a claim. It could also result in action being taken under the IIHF Membership Terms and Conditions or Rules of the Insurance Scheme.
Members should never wait until an accident or claim occurs to discover that required documents are missing or that an inflatable was not properly declared.
If you are uncertain about any requirement, contact the IIHF or Arachas before making the equipment available for use.
Where can I find the complete compliance requirements?
Full details are available through the IIHF website and members’ area, including:
- the IIHF Membership Terms and Conditions;
- Rules of the Insurance Scheme;
- IIHF Code of Conduct;
- IIHF Default Hire Agreement;
- IIHF Routine Inspection Sheet; and
- current insurance policy documents and endorsements.
Where there is any difference between this FAQ and the formal policy or scheme documents, the formal documents will apply.
Members should contact the IIHF or Arachas if they are uncertain about any requirement.
How do I obtain an insurance quotation?
To request a quotation under the IIHF insurance scheme, you can contact the IIHF directly for assistance or complete the online Commercial Leisure Proposal Form:
Complete the Commercial Leisure Proposal Form
Once the completed form is received, the IIHF will review the information provided and, where appropriate, forward the application to Arachas for consideration.
All quotations and insurance cover are subject to the insurer’s normal underwriting requirements. Completing the proposal form does not guarantee that cover will be offered, and no insurance is in place until the application has been accepted, the required conditions have been satisfied and the premium has been paid.
Is finance available for the insurance premium?
Yes. Once you have received and accepted an insurance quotation, you can discuss the available premium-finance arrangements directly with Arachas.
Any finance arrangement will be subject to the finance provider’s approval, terms, conditions and applicable charges. Arachas will explain the payment options and provide full details before an arrangement is entered into.