Individual
insurance policies tailored to meet the needs of fitness professionals
should include coverage to protect them from all types of claims.
All fitness professionals—whether they teach classes or train
one-on-one, whether they are employees or independent contractors—need
insurance to protect themselves and their future from liability
exposure. The good news is that protection is relatively inexpensive and
easy to obtain online, and programs are tailored to provide the needed
coverage. Having insurance frees fitness professionals to do what they
do best: help their clients become more fit and healthy.
Fitness professionals need to be aware of four primary types of
liability exposure in the clubs and studios where they train their
clients:
1. Premises liability. This relates to the facility
itself and is primarily the responsibility of the club or studio owner.
Examples of premises liability injuries that can lead to claims include
slips and falls on the sidewalk, over electrical cords or in the
shower/wet areas. These types of claims are the most common in health
and fitness clubs and studios, as in other businesses. A premises
liability claim that can frequently involve the fitness professional is a
wet floor in a group exercise room if a participant slips and falls and
claims the instructor knew the floor was wet.
2. Liability associated with damaged, broken or malfunctioning equipment.
These types of insurance claims can either be the responsibility of the
facility or the equipment manufacturer. Health clubs and studios alike
should maintain all of their equipment per the manufacturer’s
instructions with regular inspection and service. This includes
everything from the steps, bands, balls and barbells used in group
exercise classes to strength-training and cardio equipment. If a
machine’s design is found to be at fault for an injury, then the
liability will shift to the manufacturer. A fitness professional can be a
part of these claims if it is alleged that the instructor knew the
treads on steps were worn or if the trainer knew the piece of equipment
was not working properly.
3. Professional liability. The vast majority of
exposure for fitness professionals exists under this type of exposure.
All group exercise, yoga and Pilates instructors as well as personal
trainers have exposure for the things that they say and do or fail to
say or do. This includes performing the actual teaching and instructing
in a class or session as well as the counseling and advice that they
provide. This also includes nutritional counseling. The most common form
of professional liability claim occurs when a member or client is
injured and claims that the trainer or instructor failed to tell them
how to use a piece of equipment properly.
4. Sexual abuse and molestation claims. Since
trainers and instructors frequently work closely with their clients,
they are open to claims of improper touching, overly familiar language
or inappropriate comments. If they are working with clients younger than
18 years old, then this exposure increases dramatically.
How do fitness professionals protect themselves?
Individual insurance policies tailored to meet the needs of fitness
professionals should include coverage to protect them from all of the
types of claims discussed above. These individual policies are
relatively inexpensive and follow the individual wherever they train if
they train in multiple facilities at one time or if they change
facilities within the policy year.
When purchasing an individual policy, fitness professionals should look for the following:
- Professional liability coverage written on an occurrence basis that includes coverage for nutritional counseling.
- General liability coverage that protects the fitness professional if
they are named in a premises liability claim or equipment liability
claim. It is important to know that claimants can name anyone that they
want to in lawsuits.
- Sexual abuse and molestation coverage.
- Medical payments coverage. This coverage pays the medical bills of injured parties on a no-fault basis for good will.
Are instructors and trainers covered under the insurance policies of the fitness centers and studios where they work?
Fitness professionals who are direct employees or owners of the
facility where they teach or train the clients of the club or studio
most likely are covered by that facility’s general liability and
professional liability insurance policies. However, they always need to
verify this with the facility.
Fitness professionals who are independent contractors and/or train
their own clients in a studio or club owned by someone else mostly
likely are not covered by the general liability or professional
liability policy of the facility. Most club and studio owners require
independent contractors to show proof that they have their own liability
insurance prior to beginning work in the facility.
The vast majority of fitness professionals are passionate about their
work and carry it outside the premises of the clubs and studios where
they officially train their clients. Talking with family, friends,
neighbors and others about their health, fitness and nutrition also can
expose a fitness professional to liability. If one of these persons
takes the advice of a “professional” and is injured, they then can file a
claim or lawsuit. Therefore, all fitness professionals should have
individual insurance coverage even if they are covered by the club or
studio where they work. A club’s policy only provides protection within
the walls of that facility.
Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620
Bob Lancaster Insurance
Serving Florida since 1964