As a yoga teacher, you're likely aware of the physical risks your students face during each class. However, while you may already have insurance coverage, it may not be the best policy for your specific business needs. Obtaining the right insurance for yoga teachers can provide peace of mind and financial protection in the event of unexpected incidents, such as physical injury, accidents, and legal claims. With appropriate coverage, you can concentrate on developing your yoga teaching business without worrying about the risks.
Keep reading to learn more about the best yoga teacher insurance and where you can get coverage.
What is Yoga Teacher Insurance?
While yoga instructors strive to teach safe practices, injuries can still occur due to students pushing themselves, failing to communicate their medical conditions, or performing postures incorrectly. When students are injured, they may hold their teachers responsible and file a lawsuit, which can be expensive even if the instructor isn't at fault.
Fortunately, yoga teacher insurance can protect against claims and legal fees. Along with general and professional liability coverage, these insurance plans may also include additional benefits, such as coverage for stolen equipment, rental damage, and identity protection.
It's important to note that yoga insurance is different from sports and personal liability insurance policies, which often don't cover yoga. Even policies specifically designed for yoga may have exclusions, making it vital to choose a plan that covers various yoga styles and other practices.
Who Needs Yoga Teacher Insurance?
Some states require yoga teachers to have insurance, while others don't. However, even if it isn't required in a specific state, it's still a good idea for yoga instructors to have it for their protection.
Studio owners must safeguard themselves against injury claims, especially with thousands of students each month. Although most studios have business owners insurance, teachers should not assume that it includes them. Many studios mandate that teachers obtain their own individual policies.
A good yoga insurance policy should protect teachers who substitute or teach workshops at different studios. Additionally, teacher trainees should also have insurance coverage. As they undergo training and gain teaching experience, liability insurance will provide coverage wherever they teach. However, it's important to check with your carrier to make sure you're covered, especially if you teach across state lines.
Reasons to Have Yoga Teacher Insurance
Serious injuries can happen
Yoga injuries can be more severe than many teachers may think. Students may sustain yoga-related damage, such as hip injuries, overstretched ligaments, and blood clots. With millions of students practicing yoga every year, the number of injuries is increasing. Although a student is responsible for their own practice, they may still try to hold their teacher responsible for an injury.
Injured students can sue
If yoga is a teacher's only source of income, a negligence lawsuit can be financially devastating. Legal fees for a lawyer can cost hundreds of dollars per hour, regardless of whether the teacher is at fault or wins the case.
Someone can steal or damage equipment
Insurance can provide coverage for stolen equipment and rental damage, which could otherwise cause a significant financial burden if an incident occurs.
7 of the Best Yoga Teacher Insurance Companies at a Glance
You may be aware of the importance of yoga teacher insurance and are likely interested in assessing your options. Before delving into the specifics, let's review some of the top yoga teacher insurance companies. Here’s a list of 7 viable options and what each one is best known for:
- Alliant YogaPro: financial stable
- Alternative Balance: direct pricing
- BeYogi: covering students
- CoverWallet: comparing quotes
- NACAMS: popular occurrence form policies
- NEXT: customer service
- Simply Business: helping customers find low-cost coverage
Alliant YogaPro
Alliant YogaPro provides professional liability and general liability coverage. Additional benefits include host liquor liability, and fire and water damage legal liability. The coverage is worldwide, as long as litigation is brought in the United States, subject to policy terms and conditions.
Alliant has partnered with Yoga Alliance to offer insurance coverage exclusively to its members. This coverage is provided through Lloyd's of London, which is rated "A+" (Strong) by Standard & Poor's and "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best. Lloyd's of London and A.M. Best are important because they are both respected insurance rating agencies. These agencies assess the financial strength and stability of insurance companies and provide ratings based on their findings. A higher rating from these agencies indicates a more financially secure and stable insurance carrier, which means they are more likely to be able to pay out claims in the event of an incident.
Alternative Balance
For over 25 years, Alternative Balance has collaborated with more than 750 industries, such as fitness instructors, yoga instructors, nutritional consultants, life coaches, and many others. Alternative Balance offers instant coverage for professional and general liability, as well as accident coverage, including international coverage for United States residents, to protect policyholders wherever they work. Other coverage options are also available, including cyber liability, sexual abuse liability, and business personal property/business interruption coverage.
The company’s coverage offerings and rates are clearly displayed, enabling potential customers to easily understand what they can expect to pay. The company also provides 24/7 account access, discounts on relevant services, and educational resources.
BeYogi
BeYogi strives to be more than an insurance provider. The company aims to be the leading online source of yoga, providing guidance and motivation to assist students at every phase of their yoga journey.
It offers liability insurance for full- and part-time yoga teachers that covers instructors wherever they teach within the United States. Because membership and insurance are sold as a package, customers can get occurrence-form protection that covers claims made after expiration.
CoverWallet
CoverWallet is an online insurance broker that simplifies the process of obtaining and managing insurance for businesses in various industries. Its focus is on providing tailored insurance options to meet the unique needs of each business.
For busy yoga teachers, CoverWallet offers a quick and easy way to obtain multiple insurance quotes in one place. With just one application, CoverWallet checks with its network of insurance providers to gather quotes, with the entire process taking less than ten minutes.
NACAMS
The National Association of Complementary and Alternative Medicines is a national association that provides comprehensive liability insurance and practice support to health, wellness, and beauty professionals. Two types of professional coverage are offered that provide coverage for over 450+ modalities in the areas of yoga, massage, and beauty.
The company’s occurrence-form protection is important because it covers any incident that occurs during the policy period, regardless of when a claim is filed. This means that even if a policyholder switches insurance providers or retires, they will still be covered for any claims that arise from incidents that occurred during the time they held the policy. This type of coverage provides long-term protection and peace of mind for the policyholder.
NEXT
NEXT Insurance has been providing small business insurance policies since 2016. The company offers liability, commercial auto insurance, and workers' compensation coverage options through its easy-to-use online platform. To provide fast service, NEXT Insurance employs artificial intelligence to process applications quickly. Additionally, the company provides 24/7 access to insurance certificates and in-house claims support, simplifying the management of clients' coverage.
Simply Business
Simply Business is a digital insurance broker that specializes in providing personalized insurance coverage solutions for various business types. The company prides itself on furnishing insurance policies that cater to each customer's unique needs, yoga teachers included.
The company is renowned for its convenient online application process and customer service, making it easy to apply for coverage online or to get help from a representative over the phone. Additionally, Simply Business allows customers to compare multiple quotes and buy yoga teacher insurance in minutes.
What Kind of Insurance Does a Yoga Teacher Need?
Professional liability insurance
Professional liability insurance can help protect a yoga teaching business from legal expenses in case a student claims that they suffered a financial loss due to poor services. This type of insurance can cover errors such as incorrect instructions, injuries resulting from improper guidance, and missed classes.
General liability insurance
General liability insurance protects businesses against claims related to property damage or physical injury, among other things. In the absence of general liability insurance, these expenses can accumulate if one or more accidents/events occur and potentially endanger the financial stability of the business.
It's essential for yoga teachers to have general liability insurance from the get-go to protect themselves from lawsuits before it's too late. For example, if a student sustains injuries during a yoga class and sues the yoga teacher for damages, general liability insurance can protect the teacher from paying any damages awarded in the lawsuit. Once you're hit with a lawsuit, it's too late to get insurance, so it's important to have it beforehand.
Commercial property insurance
Yoga teachers who own or rent their studio should consider getting commercial property insurance, which protects business property from damages such as fire, water damage, vandalism, or theft. This type of insurance also covers the contents of the studio, meaning that if someone steals all of the equipment, the yoga teacher will be able to replace those items much easier.
Keep in mind that earthquakes and floods typically aren't covered under commercial property insurance. Business owners who live in areas prone to these events may want to consider separate flood and/or earthquake insurance.
Workers compensation insurance
Workers' compensation provides medical benefits and pay to employees who experience work-related injuries or illnesses. This coverage also protects business owners from potential civil lawsuits brought by affected workers. In the unfortunate event of an employee's death due to a work-related injury or illness, workers' compensation can provide death benefits to the employee's family.
How Much Does Yoga Teacher Insurance Cost?
It is important to be aware that insurance companies typically provide information on the cost of yoga teacher insurance. This means that their figures may be biased in favor of making their coverage options seem more appealing. To ensure that you get the best deal, it is crucial to do your research and shop around. Rates for yoga teacher insurance can vary significantly, so it is essential to compare policies from different providers before making a decision.
Using Alternative Balance’s pricing page, professional coverage starts at $269 per year for customers who work more than ten hours a week.
Find the Best Yoga Teacher Insurance Today
Getting yoga insurance is crucial for yoga teachers as it offers financial protection and peace of mind in case of accidents, injuries, or legal claims. It ensures that their business is protected and allows them to focus on teaching instead of worrying about potential risks. It should be obtained as soon as possible to minimize any potential losses.
Best Yoga Teacher Insurance FAQs
Will yoga teacher insurance protect teachers if they get hurt?
Yoga teacher insurance generally doesn't cover personal injuries sustained by the teacher during their classes. However, some policies do allow purchasers to include the business owner (teacher) under the policy. Keep in mind that employees of a yoga studio who aren't the owner may be eligible to file a workers' compensation claim.
Does yoga teacher insurance cover instructors who teach at a retreat?
Professional liability insurance usually follows the named insured. Teachers should review their policies to discover the full range of coverage.
Will a yoga teacher policy cover instructors who work with children?
Many yoga teacher insurance policies will cover instructors who work with children. Again. instructors should review their policies to make sure.
About The Author
Edited by:
Lisa Koosis
•
Insurance Expert
