Many people rarely consider the need for professional group fitness instructor liability insurance. However, it makes sense that in our litigious society precautions should be taken to ensure that those who choose to make a living as fitness instructors are protected from legal harm, whether the charges are justified or not. Most insurance companies will cover the actual physical premises as well as their employees up to a certain limit and under certain conditions; however, it may be only the lowest coverage possible with certain exclusions and conditions. If you are an independent fitness instructor, or even if you work full-time for a gym, it is vital that you consider protecting yourself with a group fitness instructor liability insurance policy.
What is Group Fitness Instructor Liability Insurance?
Group fitness instructor liability insurance protects fitness instructors against damages suffered or legal action brought by claimants as a result of the instructor’s training duties.
Common reasons for litigation against instructors include:
or muscle injuries
o Joint injuries
or back injuries
or broken bones
o Bruised bones
Most group fitness instructor liability insurance policies will cover common causes or hazards that can occur during training and lead to the losses listed above. Common claims include:
o Injuries as a result of poor supervision
o Injuries as a result of poor technical training and education.
o Overtraining injury
o Injury as a result of lack of adequate stretching or cool down periods
People can also claim mental damage, stress, or humiliation. For this reason, it is extremely important that your group fitness instructor liability insurance policy provide you with the most specific and comprehensive coverage possible. Although certain endorsements (additional coverage) may add to the total premium you pay each year, it will be worth it in the end. Too many frivolous laws are resolved in favor of the plaintiff to guarantee gambling with the amounts and limits of their coverage.
Coverage limits
As for coverage limits, most insurance companies will offer a basic policy with an aggregate limit of $500,000, $1,000,000, or $2,000,000. They may also have a limit per occurrence that is significantly less than the total policy limit. It is important to understand this distinction because if your policy limit is $1,000,000 but your limit per occurrence is only $100,000, this means that you are responsible for paying any money owed to the other party in excess of the $100,000 limit. For example, if the judgment against you is $150,000 and the limit per occurrence is $100,000, you will be responsible for paying the remaining $50,000 out of pocket. If you don’t have the $50,000 in cash or savings immediately available for payment, wage garnishment and even asset liquidation can occur.
conclusion
When considering a group liability insurance policy for fitness instructors, remember that it is always better to be over-insured and not need it than to be under-insured and end up with a large debt that you will end up paying for the rest of your life. .