Back to School: 7 Reasons Why Tutors and Teachers Need Insurance

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1.Even Teachers Make Mistakes

Teachers and tutors are brimming with knowledge to bestow on their willing students. However, educators can sometimes make mistakes, forget to do something, or overlook important details.

Even minor teaching mistakes or disappointing academic outcomes can lead to upset parents when their kid doesn’t do as well as expected after investing in your services as a private tutor. 

Such scenarios could trigger parents to launch a lawsuit against you for damages, and lawsuits – even frivolous ones with no merit – can cost thousands of dollars, not to mention an immeasurable amount of stress.

A comprehensive tutor insurance policy should include professional liability insurance for tutors – also called errors and omissions (E&O) insurance.

Should your integrity and work be questioned in a lawsuit or if you face an allegation of professional negligence, professional liability insurance provides you with financial support to defend yourself. It covers negligent acts, mistakes, omissions, and failing to deliver a service as promised.

2. Injuries to Students

Classrooms are designed to be safe learning spaces. 

Accidents that cause physical harm to students – even in safe learning environments – are a real risk for private tutors and school teachers alike.

General liability insurance is also included in a customized tutor insurance policy. It covers you for third-party bodily injury claims because of an accident (such as a student tripping, falling, and getting hurt).

3. Third-Party Property Damage

Accidents happen even to the most careful educators. 

But one spilled coffee on a student’s laptop or a mishap with school equipment shouldn’t put your finances or reputation at risk.

Or, as a private tutor, travelling to students’ homes to provide lessons. If you inadvertently bump into a table or shelving unit, knock over an expensive vase, and it shatters on the floor. It’ll cost you. 

General liability insurance for tutors covers third-party property damage – in a students’ homes or schools – whether it’s a caffeine-soaked laptop, property in a student’s home, or damaged classroom tech up to your policy’s coverage limit.

4. Your Employer’s Insurance Might Not Cover You

Suppose you’re employed as a teacher at a public or private elementary school. 

Your employer has a business insurance policy that covers school-sanctioned events, and it might provide you with some protection against frequent or common accidents that happen on the institution’s property.

However, these policies often leave coverage gaps – exposing tutors and teachers to personal liability.

If you are named in a third-party lawsuit with the school, the institution’s insurance will protect the school, but not necessarily you personally. Dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on your protection is crucial.

5. A Class-Action Lawsuit Could Overwhelm Your School’s Policy

Shudder to think, but a severe class-action lawsuit against your school or tutoring business seeking compensation for damages to several students could drain its liability policy limits.

Should that happen, and you are named in that lawsuit, you’re on your own to pay for any settlement or court-ordered compensation. 

Such a scenario could be devastating to your career and finances, potentially forcing you to declare bankruptcy.

6. Online Tutoring Risks

Using technology and software to teach in class and online is commonplace nowadays, but so are cyber-attacks on small businesses and individuals. 

According to the Canadian Internet Registration Authority’s (CIRA) annual cybersecurity survey of organizations, 44% reported a cyber-attack against them in 2024, and 28% reported that they have been the victim of a successful ransomware attack, up from 17% in 2021. 

Since protecting your students’ private information is your responsibility, it’s wise to ensure you have cyber liability insurance. It protects you from costs associated with cybercrime, such as phishing attacks, ransomware attacks, and accidental data breaches.

7. Professionalism and Opportunities

Tutoring agencies, private academies, and schools often require their instructors to carry liability insurance. 

Carrying tutor liability insurance and presenting a certificate of insurance shows prospective employers and clients your professionalism and commitment to safe teaching practices.

Moreover, if you need to rent a teaching space for a class activity, the venue owner will want to see your proof of insurance before renting the property to you.

Comprehensive Teacher and Tutor Insurance Covers A Lot of Ground

Put your thinking cap on and pass the upcoming school season with flying colours by protecting your profession, finances, and reputation with a comprehensive tutor insurance policy. 

Here’s the best part – getting insured through Zensurance is easy, and there’s no pop quiz to take.

Complete our online application for a free quote in under five minutes.

Our licensed brokers will shop our partner network of over 50 insurers to find the right policy that suits your needs and budget and customize it according to your specifications. 

Our insurance experts are top of the class. They’ll also help you understand the coverages you need and explain your policy details so you’re fully informed.

And remember – when it comes to protecting your career and reputation, there are no bad questions!

– Updated August 20, 2025.