Get ahead of the game and make sure you’re up to date on all the insurance you need to be a personal trainer. PTs have a duty of care to their clients – having insurance is an important part of being a true professional.
Don’t miss the important factors that apply to all personal trainers
Participation in exercise carries a certain risk, meaning instructors need to have insurance in the event of a claim. Insufficient or complete lack of insurance could result in expensive liability claims made against you.
As insurance policies can vary significantly, it is vital to read the small print to ensure the cover provided is right for you. Details to consider include:
– Liability – What is the financial amount for which you are covered in the event of a claim?
– Exclusions – Are you covered to train outside of the gym or health club environment?
– Excess – Will you have to make a contribution towards a claim?
Personal Training is included in the Instructor Public and Teacher Liability insurance on the basis of holding a supporting Level 3 certificate in Personal Training. The insurance includes a broad range of PT activities, including one-to-one and small group training – whether that be face-to-face or online.
The insurance protects against claims made by members of the public for incidents that occur in connection with your personal training sessions.
The majority of gyms and leisure facilities will require proof of insurance to work on the gym floor. Furthermore, PT clients may also want to see evidence of your insurance cover. The personal training insurance will meet these requirements and allow you to focus on helping your clients achieve their training goals and objectives.
You should hold a minimum Level 2/3 qualification or equivalent in the area of instruction. If teaching multiple disciplines, you’ll need supporting certificates in each area of instruction.
As a qualified fitness professional, if you taught an activity outside of your area of training and someone was injured, you could be found liable since you were instructing participants in an area you may not be qualified to teach.
Check with your insurance provider to confirm that you are appropriately qualified for the area/s of instruction.
Insurance acts as a legal safety net to minimise financial liability, should you be the subject of a claim (e.g., if a client suffers an injury, he or she may claim against you for compensation and/or medical costs).
Having insurance means that the financial liability of meeting these costs should be met by your insurance, minus any excess attached to the policy.
Fitness professionals are often called upon to give advice to their clients. Insurance is important to protect you against any ill effects suffered by the client as a result of your advice.
3 types of insurance a personal trainer needs
Public Liability Insurance
Public Liability Insurance protests the instructor against claims made by members of the public for accidents that occur as a result of your personal training activities. TheInsurance protects you in connection with claims for compensation for injuries to your clients and third-party damage to property.
Instructor Personal Accident insurance
The Instructor 24-hour Personal Accident insurance provides an income if you are unable to carry out your duties as a fitness instructor due to an injury or disablement as a result of an accident.
Personal Trainer Equipment insurance
If you own equipment, equipment cover is important to protect against accidental loss or damage, including theft of equipment.
Other important guidelines for your online fitness business
Instructors should check with their insurer to make sure the insurance includes online training, such as:
• live, interactive face-to-face training such as Zoom
• pre-programmed video content such as YouTube
• live streaming sessions through Facebook or Instagram.
For online training, the instructor should: [1] work within their area of knowledge and expertise, supported by a nationally accredited instructor qualification; [2] pre-screen participants before each session; [3] apply the relevant health and safety guidelines; [4] include a disclaimer.
Each participant should complete an online PAR-Q form, including any new participants, and a copy must be held in line with GDPR. If any risk factors have been identified on the PAR-Q form, the participant should seek approval from their GP prior to participation.
For online training, the instructor should pre-screen participants before each session. If the participant has any medical conditions, injuries, illness or any other condition (such as pregnancy) they must be referred to their GP for approval and work within any limitations.
The instructor should provide sufficient health and safety information for online training; for example, ensure the environment is safe, participants have enough space to move freely without obstacles, obstructions or other hazards, and ensure that any equipment is safe and in a suitable condition.
You should note that children/minors participating should be supervised at all times and throughout the online fitness session by an adult. You should provide beginner/ intermediate/ advanced options to allow participants to work at their level.
You should always provide a disclaimer for online training purposes.
Insurance for infants/children
If teaching children, instructors should check that their insurance includes children’s exercise.
All legal guidelines should be adhered to include child to adult ratios, DBS check, safeguarding policy and appropriate first aid provision.
Public liability insurance for fitness professionals
FitPro instructor public & teacher liability insurance offers cover for a broad range of fitness activities on the basis of holding a supporting certificate in the area of instruction, including: Personal Training, Gym Instruction, Exercise to Music, Circuit Training, Functional Training, Strength & Conditioning, Indoor Cycling, Aquatic Fitness, Yoga, Pilates, Pre & Post Natal, Pad & Bag Work, Dance, Nutritional/Dietary Advice, Online Training, Outdoor Training, Children’s Exercise, Fitness Testing and Bootcamp.
Visit www.fitpro.com for further details or contact info@fitpro.com or 020 8586 8635.
