Every personal training practice is unique, and insurance requirements may vary; however, a comprehensive policy package for fitness instructors will typically include the following coverages:

• Commercial General Liability Insurance (CGL): Commercial general liability insurance protects your business against everyday risks you may encounter, such as third-party bodily injury or property damage that occurs in your studio or under your direction. CGL can cover medical fees and legal expenses, regardless of the lawsuit’s outcome.

• Product Liability Insurance: Product liability coverage covers claims alleging a product you distribute, manufacture, or sell caused bodily injury or property damage. Damages covered by product liability are usually the result of a design, manufacturing, or marketing defect, such as incorrect labelling and safety warnings. Covered products may include any wearable technology, supplements, or equipment you sell to your clients. Our friendly broker team can help you determine whether or not you need product liability coverage.

• Professional Liability Insurance: Also known as Errors & Omissions Insurance (E&O), PLI offers coverage for misconduct, negligence, or failure to deliver a service as advertised. Whether you teach in-person or digitally, if a client feels the instruction you provided didn’t have the expected results, they could sue. For example, a client who follows your at-home workout routine claims the exercises made an existing injury worse and sues you for negligence. Professional Liability Insurance could cover legal fees and damages, including monetary judgments.

• Commercial Property Insurance: Commercial Property Insurance is critical for personal trainers as it protects your property (i.e., gym, equipment, inventory) from an insured event, such as a fire or theft. Your broker could walk you through the policy to ensure you understand what events and items are covered by your commercial property insurance. Commercial Property Insurance policies often include business interruption (a.k.a. business income) coverage, which provides reimbursement for net income lost following an insured event.
  • Please note, business interruption coverage will not cover income lost due to a pandemic, infectious disease, or government-mandated closure.

• Cyber Insurance:  Digital training sessions and fitness apps are growing in popularity, allowing your clients to access your program anywhere. Whether you offer courses online as part of your business model or if you store client data (e.g., financial, medical), you are liable to protect this information. Cyber insurance covers the costs (i.e., notification costs, legal fees) associated with cybercrimes (e.g., cyber hack) involving your technology systems.

Please note that personal trainers’ policy does not typically cover those who train professional athletes, aerial or aquatic athletes, or minors. Speak with your broker to confirm your specialization is covered.