Many people rarely consider the need for professional group fitness instructor liability insurance. However, it makes sense that in our litigious society precautions must be taken to ensure that those who choose to earn a living as a fitness instructor are protected from legal harm, whether the charges are justified or not. Most insurance companies will cover actual fitness facilities, 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 a freelance fitness instructor, or even 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 incurred or legal action brought by claimants as a result of the instructor’s training assignments.
Common reasons for litigation against instructors include:
o Muscle injuries
o Joint injuries
o 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 result in the losses listed above. Common claims include:
o Injury as a result of poor supervision
o Injury as a result of poor training and education technique.
o Injury as a result of overtraining
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’s liability insurance policy provides 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 pay off in the end. Too many frivolous lawsuits are settled in favor of the plaintiff to justify gambling with the amounts and limits of their coverage.
Coverage limits
When it comes to 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 per occurrence limit that is significantly less than the total policy limit. This distinction is important to understand 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 amount owed to the other party that exceeds the $ 100,000 limit. For example, if the judgment against you is $ 150,000 and the per occurrence limit 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.
Conclution
When considering a group fitness instructor liability insurance policy, remember that it is always better to be overinsured and not need it than to be underinsured and end up with a large debt that you will have to end up paying for the rest of your life.