If you’re considering to at become a yoga instructor, you’ve probably already thought about certifications that can help you effectively teach students and help them to avoid injury. Maybe you’re even already certified! That’s great. Certification is an important part of becoming a yoga teacher, but before you head out to teach your very first class, there’s something else you might want to consider.
Insurance.
Any time you’re presenting yourself as a professional yoga teacher you take on a modicum of risk. As a professional, you’re responsible for the people you are teaching. If anything were to happen to any of them or their possessions while they were in your class, you could be held legally responsible. That could mean that you have to pay for any medical bills or other damages incurred during or as a result of your class if the aggrieved party were to file a lawsuit.
Is Liability Insurance Necessary for Yoga Instructors?
It really is. The simple fact of the matter is that we live in a sue-happy world. There are people who will file a lawsuit for anything if they think that there is money in it for them, and there are always lowbrow legal professionals out there happy to take on cases that would stick it to a small business owner like you for a little paycheck.
Sometimes, the bad guy even wins in court. There have been several cases in recent years of students and other professionals suing yoga instructors from everything from minor injuries to libel.
If it happens to you, it could mean that you’re responsible for paying a large settlement to cover damages, both real and perceived, any medical bills, and lost wages due to injuries if a judge decides that you are liable.
Is it Hard to Get Yoga Instructor Liability Insurance?
It’s really not difficult to obtain a policy. You’ll simply need to provide some basic information, pay your premium, and then you can print out proof of insurance. With BizInsure, you can get coverage for as little as $30 per month.
You can also get your hands on a liability policy fairly quickly, so even if you’re looking at getting insurance just before you teach your first class, you can get covered before you start on the path to becoming a practicing yoga instructor.
Here’s What Yoga Teacher Liability Insurance Can Protect You From
Across the globe, your insurance will follow you, protecting your business and personal finances whether you’re in studio or at a retreat in Hawaii. There are two different types of coverage.
General Liability Insurance
Accidents can happen anywhere. Whether you’re hosting a class at a studio or you’ve set up a group in the park, it’s crazy to think that nothing could ever happen to one of your students while you are teaching. A student might trip over a stray yoga block or maybe a branch falls on their head during an outdoor early morning sun salutation. General Liability Insurance will protect you from shouldering the costs accidents like these and will cost you less than professional coverage.
Professional Liability Insurance
This refers to any issues that could crop up in your professional life. It could mean a student gets injured and says that your instruction was behind their injury, Having Professional Liability Insurance means your covered and that you don’t have to worry about what you say in your capacity as an instructor being used against you. It will cost you a little more than general liability insurance usually, but the extra coverage might be worth the cost.
Added benefits from Obtaining a Yoga Instructor Liability Policy
You’ve got a lot more to gain from being covered than the actual coverage itself. Here are some bonuses that you may not have thought of that can come from being properly insured against risk.
Peace of Mind
This is a big deal, especially for a cool, calm, and collected yoga instructor. Simply knowing that you won’t be pushed to financial ruin if something happens to one of your students or their belongings during your class can provide invaluable peace of mind.
It May Help You Pick Up a Gig
Say you’re looking to teach a class at a hot new studio, but there are lots of applicants for the job. If you’re insured, you might win out over uninsured candidates since your insurance can help protect the studio itself from lawsuits. Many studios also require insurance, so your job prospects might be limited if you’re uninsured.
It Helps Protects You from The Costs of Frivolous Lawsuits
There are people out there who commonly make their money through settlements or cash from lawsuits. They’ll say they were injured or come up with some outlandish accusation just so they can take someone to court and maybe get a little money out of the deal. You don’t have to worry about those people if you’re insured.
It Protects Your Marketing Campaigns
If you use social media marketing or even print marketing, your insurance covers you in the event that someone sues you over the content of your ads.
So, Is It Worth It?
Anytime you’re running a business, even if you’re freelancing and picking up classes here and there, it pays to be insured. Especially if you aren’t teaching under a legitimate business that protects your personal finances like an LLC would, yoga instructor liability insurance can protect your personal bank account and your financial future.