Yoga is a relatively safe and low impact practice. Considering yoga liability is not always a priority for instructors and business facilities, but without it you might be putting your personal assets and business assets in jeopardy in the event that something unexpected happens. There are many situations that could lead to liability claims, and in that event, you need to have protection in place so that you can handle the scenario without losing your business.
An example of one of the most common reasons yoga liability insurance is utilized is personal injury. Even when using the most appropriate teaching techniques and giving proper instruction to the client, you may encounter a situation where bodily injury occurs and a claim is made. Without insurance, the client will look to you to cover their expenses, and depending on the injury involved, the recovery can be long and expensive. An important step you can take as an instructor is to obtain a short health history of your clients. This can give you an idea of ways to avoid injury or overuse and ultimately avoid claims.
Professional liability can also cover costs in the event that someone is injured in the facility, but not during a class (ie. slip and fall). If you are employed at a facility, they should provide this as a general policy. If you own your own facility, it is very important that you include this type of coverage in order to protect yourself and your assets. This also applies to injuries that occur from failed equipment and damaged property.
The cost of insurance for yoga instructors and facilities is relatively low. This is because the occurrence of claims is also low, and keeps insurance at an affordable rate. The rates for insurance can vary from $15 to $40 per month, depending on the amount of coverage and whether you are part time or full time teaching. Most policies will cover you at your facility and if you travel or work as a mobile class. You also want to make sure that all age clients are covered, and whether there are any exclusions.
Some other questions you may want answered when shopping for a policy include:
Is there a deductible?
Are student teachers/apprentices eligible for coverage?
Is there a class size limit?
What is the statute of limitations for claims?
Is your style of yoga covered?
Are any other services you provide covered? (Massage, Pilates, Reiki, etc)
Is advertising liability included?
Are you protected against claims of sexual harassment and abuse?
When you are ready to shop for insurance, have your list of questions ready and call as many companies as you can find. This will ensure that you get the most coverage for the best price. Ask your colleagues for input about who they've had the best luck with and how the customer service has been. Another thing to look for is member benefits for policyholders, such as health care discounts, disability insurance and other exclusive benefits.
An example of one of the most common reasons yoga liability insurance is utilized is personal injury. Even when using the most appropriate teaching techniques and giving proper instruction to the client, you may encounter a situation where bodily injury occurs and a claim is made. Without insurance, the client will look to you to cover their expenses, and depending on the injury involved, the recovery can be long and expensive. An important step you can take as an instructor is to obtain a short health history of your clients. This can give you an idea of ways to avoid injury or overuse and ultimately avoid claims.
Professional liability can also cover costs in the event that someone is injured in the facility, but not during a class (ie. slip and fall). If you are employed at a facility, they should provide this as a general policy. If you own your own facility, it is very important that you include this type of coverage in order to protect yourself and your assets. This also applies to injuries that occur from failed equipment and damaged property.
The cost of insurance for yoga instructors and facilities is relatively low. This is because the occurrence of claims is also low, and keeps insurance at an affordable rate. The rates for insurance can vary from $15 to $40 per month, depending on the amount of coverage and whether you are part time or full time teaching. Most policies will cover you at your facility and if you travel or work as a mobile class. You also want to make sure that all age clients are covered, and whether there are any exclusions.
Some other questions you may want answered when shopping for a policy include:
Is there a deductible?
Are student teachers/apprentices eligible for coverage?
Is there a class size limit?
What is the statute of limitations for claims?
Is your style of yoga covered?
Are any other services you provide covered? (Massage, Pilates, Reiki, etc)
Is advertising liability included?
Are you protected against claims of sexual harassment and abuse?
When you are ready to shop for insurance, have your list of questions ready and call as many companies as you can find. This will ensure that you get the most coverage for the best price. Ask your colleagues for input about who they've had the best luck with and how the customer service has been. Another thing to look for is member benefits for policyholders, such as health care discounts, disability insurance and other exclusive benefits.
Faye Martins, is a Yoga teacher and a graduate of the Yoga teacher training program at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA.
As an Instructor one's should consider an yoga liability insurance to cover the cost of unexpected situation. Thanks for sharing this informative article!
ReplyDeleteAs an instructor one's should take a short health history the clients to avoid any accident while teaching yoga and for this issue one's should consider a yoga liability insurance.
ReplyDelete