What Liability Insurance Covers Float Tanks?

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What Types of Businesses Have Float Tanks?

Float tanks, sensory deprivation tanks, or isolation tanks, are primarily used in the health and wellness and spa industries. Float tanks offer a unique sensory experience for clients seeking stress relief and mental relaxation.

Businesses that may offer their clients the opportunity to use a float tank include:

Floatation Centres

Floatation centres or float spas specialize in offering floatation therapy as a primary service.

Spas and Wellness Centres

Many traditional spas and health and wellness centres have float tanks to complement their other services, such as massage therapy, facials, and other relaxation treatments.

Health and Rehabilitation Facilities

Some healthcare facilities, including hospitals, physical therapy clinics, and rehabilitation centres, have float tanks as part of holistic treatment programs for patients recovering from injuries, managing chronic pain, or seeking alternative therapies for mental health conditions.

Fitness and Yoga Studios

Fitness and yoga studios may offer float tank sessions as an additional amenity for members or as part of specialized wellness programs.

Holistic Health Clinics

Holistic health practitioners, such as naturopathic doctors, chiropractors, and acupuncturists, may recommend float tanks in patient treatment plans to support overall health and wellness.

Resorts and Retreat Centres

Luxury resorts, boutique hotels, and wellness retreats may feature float tanks as part of their spa and wellness amenities, offering guests a unique and immersive relaxation experience during their stay.

Corporate Wellness Programs

Some businesses incorporate float tank sessions into their corporate wellness programs as a perk for employees to promote stress reduction, mental clarity, overall well-being, and productivity.

10 Liability Risks Businesses With Float Tanks Face

Although float tanks are designed to promote health, wellness, mental clarity and relaxation, small businesses or health and wellness practitioners using these devices face several liability risks. Here are 10 of the most common ones:

1. Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents pose one of the biggest liability risks businesses using float tanks face. A client falling while entering or exiting the float tank, potentially resulting in injuries such as sprains, strains, or fractures, can lead to expensive claims. Wet floors around the float tank increase the risk of slip and fall accidents.

2. Drowning or Near-Drowning Incidents

Float tanks are filled with shallow water containing a high concentration of Epsom salt, allowing individuals to float effortlessly. However, there is a risk of drowning if clients accidentally ingest water or become disoriented while inside the tank.

3. Lawsuits

Your clients or visitors to your clinic or business could launch a lawsuit or legal claim against you alleging bodily injury, property damage, or other losses resulting from accidents or incidents associated with your float tanks. Even a frivolous lawsuit without merit can cost you thousands of dollars to hire legal counsel and defend your business.

4. Allergic Reactions or Skin Irritations

Some individuals may experience allergic reactions or skin irritations from exposure to Epsom salt or other chemicals used to maintain water quality in the float tank.

5. Infections or Contamination

Improper cleaning and maintenance of float tanks can lead to bacterial or fungal water contamination, increasing the risk of infections.

6. Client Safety and Supervision

Clients may experience anxiety or discomfort while inside the float tank, especially if they are claustrophobic or prone to panic attacks.

7. Equipment Malfunctions

Malfunctions or defects in float tank equipment, such as filtration systems, heating elements, or sensory control mechanisms, can pose safety hazards to clients.

8. Failure to Provide Adequate Instructions or Warnings

Businesses must provide clients with clear instructions on using the float tank safely and effectively. Failing to do so may increase the likelihood of accidents or injuries.

9. Claims of Negligence or Professional Misconduct

Clients may allege negligence, errors, or professional misconduct on the part of the business or its staff, such as improper supervision, inadequate maintenance, or failure to address client concerns promptly.

10. Regulatory Compliance

Businesses must comply with local health, safety, and sanitation regulations governing the operation of float tanks and wellness facilities. Non-compliance can result in expensive fines, penalties, or legal liabilities.

What Type of Insurance Covers Liabilities Related to a Float Tank?

Business insurance for float tanks requires a customized and comprehensive policy that includes several coverages. The coverage your spa, business, or wellness facility requires depends on your business’s unique elements and requirements. 

A typical float tank insurance policy may include these coverages:

• General Liability Insurance: Also called slip-and-fall insurance, general liability covers your business for third-party bodily injury and third-party property damage claims. For instance, if one of your clients slips and falls after existing one of your float tanks and is hurt, general liability insurance is designed to cover their medical and rehabilitation expenses.

• Professional Liability Insurance: Professional liability insurance, or errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, protects you from claims and allegations of professional negligence related to your advice or services. This type of protection is known as medical malpractice insurance for medical and wellness practitioners. It also covers claims of errors, misconduct, misrepresentation, and failure to deliver a service as promised.

• Product Liability Insurance: Any business or practitioner can be liable for any product they manufacture, distribute, or sell. Product liability insurance protects your finances and reputation from claims alleging third-party bodily injury or third-party property damage from the products you provide or sell to your clients. For example, if your spa sells moisturizers, and one of your clients suffers an allergic reaction after using it, you can be held financially responsible for their injuries even if you didn’t manufacture the product.

• Commercial Property Insurance: Whether you own, rent, or lease float tanks, they and other equipment, furnishings, and contents and inventory in your clinic or business need coverage for unexpected events. That includes the building you’re located in, too. That’s what commercial property insurance provides: protection against damage and loss resulting from fire, water damage, a natural disaster (like a severe windstorm that damages your clinic), vandalism and theft.

• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Whereas commercial property insurance covers your equipment and contents from external damages beyond your control, equipment breakdown insurance pays to repair or replace your float tanks if they suddenly cease to operate because of an internal electrical or mechanical malfunction.

• Umbrella Liability Insurance: Think of umbrella liability insurance as an extra layer of financial protection that kicks in if your existing coverage limits are exhausted after filing a claim. You must have commercial property or commercial auto insurance to add umbrella liability coverage to your policy, as it only applies to extending the coverage limits for third-party bodily injury or property damage claims.

Speak to a licensed Zensurance broker if you have questions about what your policy should contain and its coverage limits.

How to Get Low-Cost Float Tank Liability Insurance Today

Get the customized, affordable float tank liability business insurance your organization needs from Zensurance.

Fill out our online application to get a free quote. With over 50 Canadian insurers in our partner network, our knowledgeable brokers can get the low-cost protection you need and customize a policy to suit your risks and budget.