Sports coach insurance

Public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance offer comprehensive protection against the cost of defending your fitness business against allegations of professional negligence (such as giving incorrect instruction or coaching to a client) and if unsuccessful, the cost of damages awarded against you. These two forms of insurance are combined for personal trainers.

Your clients rely on your expertise and advice to improve their fitness. An injury sustained as part of your recommended workout could cause a client to make a claim and take legal action against you.. Professional indemnity insurance covers you against potential loss-making outcomes, whether financially or to your reputation.

In addition, it covers the cost of defending your business (including damages awarded against you if unsuccessful) if someone is injured, or their property damaged, which arises from you going about your business. Examples of claims include:

• You advise a client how to perform an exercise, however they fall while doing it and injure themselves. They take legal action against you, alleging you failed to properly explain the move.
• You produce a personalised training plan for a client, however they don’t achieve the goals they were promised. They take legal action against you, alleging your training was inadequate.
• A client trips over a weight that has been left lying around and injures their hip. They are unable to work and make a personal injury claim against you seeking compensation.
• You help a client stretch following an exercise session, however you push the muscle too far and it tears. The client takes legal action against you for the injury suffered.

If you’re dealing with members of the public on private premises, public liability insurance is a worthwhile consideration. Despite your best efforts, mistakes can happen regardless of how experienced you are. By ensuring you’ve obtained the appropriate level of insurance, this will provide peace of mind knowing you’re protected if a claim arises.

Employer’s liability insurance is a legal requirement if your business has employees.  It covers your business against claims for injury or illness suffered by employees arising from their employment. If you employ other school inspectors, this cover is essential. Cover for £10m.

Commercial legal expenses insurance covers the costs of defending you as a director or officer of your company against allegations of wrongful acts and any damages subsequently awarded against you. Cover is also provided for the legal costs and expenses of defending actions for disqualification as a director, investigations and extradition proceedings. Limits range from £100,000 to £5m.

Directors and officers insurance covers the costs of defending you as a director or officer of your company against allegations of wrongful acts and any damages subsequently awarded against you. Cover is also provided in respect of the legal costs and expenses of defending actions for disqualification as a director, investigations and extradition proceedings. Limits range from £100,000 to £5m.

Office insurance covers your office buildings, office contents and computer equipment against accidental damage (including theft) whilst on your business premises. You can also choose to cover your business equipment (such as laptops and mobile phones) on a worldwide basis, and insure your business against loss of income and/or additional trading expenses following events such as damage to your property.

Occupational personal accident insurance provides a weekly payment if you are unable to work due to temporary total disablement (subject to a 14-day deferment period). In the event of loss of limbs, sight, speech, hearing, permanent total disablement or death, a lump sum would be paid out.

Few personal trainers and fitness instructors are fortunate enough to not be injured in the course of their profession, and this cover can help you maintain an income if you were unable to work following an accident while working for your business.

Cyber and data risks insurance pays towards the costs of restoring data and equipment, informing clients, meeting ransom demands and loss of your net profit following a cyber-attack. If you hold confidential information about your clients, including their training plans, on any internet connected devices, you should consider this cover.

For more details to help you choose the right level of cover for you, take a look at our guide to insurance for fitness professionals.