Liability Insurance for Pilates Teachers
A Pilates teacher’s greatest fear/nightmare is an injury or an accident on their watch.
Safety protocols in the Pilates studio are ingrained in teachers from the moment they enter any reputable training program.
Failure to meet an exercise or apparatus safety requirement is a dreaded “AUTOMATIC FAIL” for any decent Pilates certification program, and with good reason. Using the equipment improperly can place the client in a dangerous situation.
“Not on my watch!” the over-confident Pilates teacher says. “Safety always comes first in my studio! I watch them like a hawk!”
A client can walk through the door and break their arm tripping over the welcome mat. Yes, Pilates improves coordination, but it takes time.
And, one teacher is often working with several students at a time, each using specialized equipment.
Then, throw in the universal wild card which is… “Shit Happens.”
How much does insurance cost? Do I need to be part of a professional organization to get coverage?
Most providers offer plans for less than $200 per year for individual instructors without employees.
And, contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be a member of a professional organization to get coverage. In fact, many teachers have found more affordable insurance options as an independent.
However, not all insurance plans are created equal.
What exactly does insurance cover, and to what extent? Does it not cover certain things we should be aware of?
We spoke with Oliver Sowards, Assistant Vice President, Program Executive, Lockton Affinity, LLC, who answered some common questions Pilates teachers have about their coverage:
“Lockton Affinity provides its Pilates Instructors with a policy that covers them for Professional Liability and General Liability.
Professional Liability Insurance covers you in the event you are named in a lawsuit involving the services or advice that you have provided to one of your clients.
General Liability protects you against lawsuits involving physical injury to people or damage to property arising from your daily operations as a Pilates Instructor.
In either case, this policy will assist you with the costs that come with defending yourself against these types of claims, which can be very expensive and cause you to miss work, which can not only impact you but your business.
Your insurance policy also covers you wherever you work. Whether you instruct in homes, studios, gyms, health clubs, etc., you’re covered.”
Does it cover anything other than lawsuits? What if a client is injured or there is a ‘slip and fall’ on the property, unrelated to working out?
“Yes. The examples you ask about are what would be covered under the General Liability portion of the coverage. Remember, the insurance we offer is a Professional Liability w/General Liability policy. The General Liability portion covers you in the event of a slip and fall.
However, this coverage will not cover you if ‘you’ the insured are injured, that would fall under your own health insurance.”
What are general best practices?
“Before you buy a policy, make sure you understand what the policy is and is not covering you for.
Make sure you understand what to do in the event a claim is brought against you. Most insurance policies include information in your policy documents that will inform you what to do in the event of a claim.
Keep your policy active, as long as you are continuing to provide instruction. It is possible a claim could arise from an incident that happened a year ago, or longer.
If you don’t already have your clients sign a waiver, it would be worth considering. It provides you with added protection in the event you are sued. (However, waivers aren’t bulletproof, which is why it is always good to have a Professional Liability Insure policy.)”
What advice do you have for Pilates teachers?
“The majority of claims that we see associated with Pilates Instructors, have to do with clients injuring themselves while using the equipment. Providing extra supervision for clients using equipment, especially if they are new.”
Pilates Teacher Insurance Providers
There are many providers for fitness instructors. Here are some of the top providers, most of which provide coverage for less than $200/year.
Each provider may cover different things, so it is important to understand what covered by your policy.
and more. A quick google search will bring up a host of providers.
Things that may or may not be covered under your policy:
It is important that you understand what your policy covers. Speak to your insurance agent so they can clarify any questions you might have.
Here are some of the things different insurance companies may or may not cover under their policies:
General and Professional Liability
Sexual Abuse Liability
Products Liability
Medical Payments
Damage to Premises
Rental Damage Coverage
Stolen Equipment Coverage
Identity Protection
Reputational Harm