3 Reasons Why Personal Trainers Need Business Insurance

Your ultimate goal as a personal trainer is to pass your knowledge and experience onto your clients so they can exercise optimally. Every client is different, and personal trainers are responsible for coming up with a regimen that suits each individual. Throughout your sessions, you may offer advice and expertise to your clients, as well as ask them to complete certain physical activities. Business insurance for professional trainers can protect you against liability arising from something going wrong during the session, or due to your advice. While you do your absolute best to operate in good faith and help your clients, one mishap could lead to a staggering lawsuit that threatens your professional and personal assets.

There are several types of insurance that professional trainers need to consider, and CoverHound can help you compare your options. These three reasons why personal trainers need business insurance demonstrate how proper type and amount of coverage can make or break your career.‍

General Liability‍

Simply put, general liability can be thought of as “trip and fall” insurance. Enrolling in this policy will protect against financial loss if you’re liable for personal or property damage to another person. This coverage can come into play in a variety of ways.

For example, many personal trainers hold sessions in their home or at a gym where they are not fully covered under the gym’s policy. Having your own liability coverage is important in case an incident occurs that results in a lawsuit against you, according to the American Council on Exercise. Similarly, if an accident occurs during a training session at a client’s home that causes property damage, your general liability coverage could cover the associated costs. This is the building block of a solid liability policy, but not all that you need as a personal trainer.‍

Client Injury‍

No personal trainer wakes up in the morning and anticipates an accident with a client. But the human body is a huge variable. The Insurance Information Institute asks: “Do you or your business provide professional services or advice to other businesses or individuals? Could your counsel or service lead to losses by your client for which you could be held responsible?” If so, you’ll need to invest in a professional liability policy (also known as errors and omissions). If a client sustains an injury during your workout, you could be held responsible for their medical bills and subsequent time off work. If you offer health advice to a client that results in an illness, you could be facing a lawsuit.‍

Client Death‍

Client death is an extreme case, and the absolute worst nightmare for any personal trainer. Just look at the 1999 case Capati v. Crunch Fitness International, et al. As reported in the New York Times, the suit alleges that Marie Anne Capati purchased over-the-counter nutritional supplements containing ephedra at the advice of her personal trainer, August Casseus. Capati, age 37, later suffered a stroke while working out at the fitness club and died. The lawsuit cites interference between the ephedra and her prescription hypertension medication. The court ruled that the trainer and the health club were liable for $1.75 million due to negligence.

Compare business insurance policies for personal trainers on CoverHound to cover the physical aspects of your career.