Dance instructors insurance protects against liability due to injury or claims arising from bad instruction. Instructors and studio owners also need protection against the risk of injury to employees or property damages. Average annual costs are $1,200 for a Business Owner’s Policy, while professional liability insurance is slightly more at about $1,735 annually.
If you’re a dance instructor or studio owner, you should make sure that you have insurance that meets your specific needs. The Hartford is a very reputable insurance company that specializes in offering business insurance products that are tailor-made to small business owners based on the needs of their specific industries. Visit The Hartford today and you can get a free quote in minutes.
How Dance Instructor Insurance & Dance Studio Insurance Work
Dance instructors need multiple dance insurance policies to insure themselves and their studio, as there isn’t a single policy you can get to cover all your risks. In most cases, instructors can obtain bundled insurance coverage under a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) to get comprehensive protection for their most likely losses at the most affordable cost.
A BPO covers general liability and property damage. It may allow for add-ons, including a professional liability policy. Your dance studio insurance policy could provide coverage if a student slips and falls at your dance studio, if you damage a rented space where your students are giving a recital, or if your equipment is damaged by a flood or fire.
Top Dance Instructor Insurance Providers
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Hiscox | Comprehensive online tools for dance studio owners, including quick access to insurance certificates |
| K&K Insurance | Dance instructors looking to quickly obtain specialized coverage online |
| Nationwide | Dance schools and programs looking for comprehensive coverage |
| Insureon | Obtaining quotes from multiple providers and getting an agent’s help to select the best coverage |
| Sadler Sports & Recreation Insurance | Getting covered immediately with a simple online application |
Hiscox
As a small business insurance specialist, Hiscox takes great strides to understand the unique risks faced by specific industries. This knowledge allows Hiscox to provide customized coverage to its clients in the dance studio industry. Moreover, dance instructors or studio owners can pay their annual premiums in monthly installments at no additional charge. Quotes are available online after you complete a brief, no-obligation application.
K&K Insurance
K&K Insurance is targeted to instructors (not studio owners) who supervise individuals or groups in dance activities. Because of its narrow focus, bundled dance insurance coverage specifically meets the needs of instructors without unnecessary add-ons. In-house underwriting and an online application makes K&K a fast choice for instructors seeking coverage customized to the risks they face.
Nationwide
Nationwide coverage specifically targets dance schools and programs, unlike K&K Insurance, which targets instructors. If you want a comprehensive policy covering all risks faced as a studio owner—including protection for accidents on premises as well as claims arising from studio advertising—Nationwide is the right choice for you.
Insureon
Insureon is the right choice if you want to submit one simple application, get quotes from multiple insurance providers, and get help from a trusted agent in picking the best policy. Insureon allows you to fill out an online application in just 15 minutes to get competing quotes from A-rated carriers.
Sadler Sports & Recreation Insurance
Sadler Sports & Recreation Insurance is ideal if you need to purchase coverage now. Submit an application online, get quotes instantly, and purchase a policy immediately. Choose Sadler when time is of the essence and you’re looking for comprehensive coverage without exclusions for common loss such as punitive damages, which are additional damages courts sometimes award for bad behavior.
Types of Dance Instructor Insurance & Dance Studio Insurance
Dance instructors must protect themselves from lawsuits due to injury on their premises and property damage they may cause. A Business Owner’s policy covers these losses, such as when a student sues after slipping in the changing room. An instructor sued for bad advice on nutrition or dangerous instruction, on the other hand, would need professional liability coverage.
If it’s an employee who’s injured, workers’ compensation would cover costs, while instructors who drive to off-site locations to teach need commercial auto insurance in case of an accident.
Most Common Types of Dance Instructor Insurance & Dance Studio Insurance
| Type of Insurance | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Business Owner’s Policy | General liability and property damage claims |
| Professional Liability Policy | Claims arising from an instructor’s professional advice or teaching |
| Workers’ Compensation Insurance | Injury to studio employees |
| Commercial Auto Insurance | Damage to vehicles and liability due to accidents |
Business Owner’s Policy
A Business Owner’s Policy is a policy every dance instructor needs. This policy groups two of the most important types of coverage: protection from general liability and from property damage.
A dance instructor needs a general liability policy in case of a lawsuit arising from a student getting hurt in the studio, or in case the instructor is alleged to have damaged a rental space. Instructors who own a studio or equipment need property damage coverage to pay to repair damage or replace destroyed buildings or equipment.
Professional Liability Policy
There’s a risk dance instructors could be sued for advice to clients if the client sustains injury. If an instructor advises a student to go on a diet that lands the student in the hospital, a professional liability policy covers associated claims. If an instructor makes a misleading statement about services, dance instructor insurance also covers resulting losses.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Many dance studios employ multiple instructors, or employ support staff such as receptionists or cleaners. Throughout the United States, companies that employ others are generally required to buy workers’ compensation coverage in case employees are hurt on the job.
The rules differ by state—for example, Texas doesn’t require coverage and some other states don’t require the purchase of a policy until you have several employees. But, having a policy ensures medical costs and disability benefits are paid to injured workers. If a studio employee slips and falls, insurance would cover the resulting costs.
Commercial Auto Insurance
If you travel to different locations to provide instruction or transport students in company vehicles, such as taking students to dance competitions, it’s imperative you have commercial auto insurance. Your policy will cover damage to vehicles that occurs while performing work and lawsuits by injured car accident victims if you cause an accident to occur.
Dance Instructor & Dance Studio Insurance Costs
Because instructors need multiple policies, it’s important to add up the costs. Dance instructors and studio owners get the best price if they bundle coverage by purchasing a BOP from a provider allowing industry-specific add-ons. A BOP comes at an average annual cost of $500 to 3,500 for $1 million in coverage, while professional liability insurance for dance instructors usually runs around $450 annually for $1 million in protection.
Dance Instructor and Dance Studio Insurance Costs & Deductibles
| Insurance Type | Average Premium Cost | Deductible |
|---|---|---|
| Business Owner’s Policy | $500 - $3,500 | $500 |
| Professional Liability Policy | $450 | $1,000 |
| Workers’ Compensation | $2,000 - $3,000 | $0 |
| Commercial Auto Insurance | $750 - $1,200 per vehicle | $500 |
Several different factors can impact the cost of dance instructor insurance, including:
- The value of property and equipment: If you teach dance classes at client’s homes and have no equipment, costs of property damage coverage are much lower than if you have a large studio full of specialized and costly equipment.
- Your experience: Your past history of professional experience in the field of dance, along with any record of past claims, affects professional liability policy costs.
- The number of employees: The more workers you have employed at your studio, the higher the costs of workers’ compensation coverage.
Hiscox is a provider of small business insurance that focuses on offering specialized coverage for small businesses. They offer policies that are structured to meet the needs of professionals in specific industries, including dance instructors and studio owners. Visit Hiscox to learn more and get a free quote.
Tips on Getting Dance Instructor & Dance Studio Insurance
It’s best to apply for dance insurance coverage before you begin providing dance instruction or before you open the doors to your studio. This allows you to be protected from day one. These tips will help you get the dance studio insurance you need to reduce the risks associated with teaching people to dance.
Teaching at Multiple Locations May Require Additional Coverage
Many dance instructors teach at different places, including rental studios. If you rent space, you need to ensure proper coverage in case of property damage. Your policy may need to include coverage not just for you, but for the owners of this rented space.
“If instructors teach classes at a location other than their own home studios, the building’s owner or landlord may require they be named as an additional insurer on the instructor’s policy,” advised Jeff Somers, President of Insureon.
“If instructors teach classes at a location other than their own home studios, the building’s owner or landlord may require they be named as an additional insurer on the instructor’s policy,” advised Jeff Somers, President of Make Sure Your Coverage Is Sufficient
Always read all your insurance policies carefully to confirm you’re fully covered for losses. For example, many dance instructors using personal vehicles to travel to rented studios or students’ homes assume individual auto insurance will provide coverage. But that may not be the case, as personal auto policies typically exclude commercial driving.
“It’s important for dance instructors who drive their own vehicle for work to consider buying a commercial policy, since personal auto insurance may not cover accidents that happen during work-related driving,” Somers said.
Get Multiple Quotes for Coverage
Bundling policies usually provides the most affordable dance instructor insurance, but it’s important to shop around. You can work with a broker or shop using the internet to get quotes from multiple trusted insurers. Be sure to compare policy premiums, policy limits, and deductibles to get the most comprehensive dance studio insurance at the best overall price.
“When dance instructors open up their homes and studios to their students, they’re also opening the door to many risks,” Somers said. You want to shop for coverage early so you have time to find the right policy before you begin operations.
Dance Instructor & Dance Studio Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you have questions about how to make sure you’re protected as a dance instructor and how to ensure your studio space is protected, our forum is a good place to get advice. You can also read on to get some answers to frequently asked questions here.
Some of the most frequently asked questions about dance instructor and dance studio insurance are:
What is the difference between general liability coverage and professional liability coverage for dance instructors?
General liability covers injuries on your property or caused by general negligence (e.g., a student slips). Professional liability insurance provides coverage when injury happens due to instruction or advice. A study in Journal of Dance Medicine and Science showed 82 percent of professional modern dancers sustained one to seven injuries over the year, making coverage important.
Will a general liability insurance policy cover employees and independent contractors?
Read your liability insurance policy to determine who is considered an insured person. While employees are typically covered, many policies don’t provide insurance protection for independent contractors. If independent contractors teach at your studio and aren’t covered, require proof the contractor has his own insurance.
Are there any types of dance instruction not covered by insurance?
If you offer fitness classes, Pilates or yoga, or use aerial hoops, these and other high-risk activities may require you to have a separate insurance rider to be covered. Pricing for additional coverage varies depending upon level of risk as well as how frequently you offer this type of instruction.
Bottom Line
Dance instructors and dance studio owners need to protect themselves against all possible sources of loss with comprehensive dance instructor insurance. With the right policies, you’ll be protected if employees are hurt, property is damaged, or you’re sued. Shop around for a bundled policy to get affordable protection so you’ll have peace of mind knowing you and your studio are covered.
If you’re a dance instructor or studio owner, The Hartford can offer you the right coverage for the right price. The Hartford specializes in combining coverages to meet the specific needs of small business owners. Visit The Hartford today and get a quote in just a few minutes.
Submit Your Comment
Disclaimer: Reviews on FitSmallBusiness.com are the product of independent research by our writers, researchers, and editorial team. User reviews and comments are contributions from independent users not affiliated with FitSmallBusiness.com's editorial team. Banks, issuers, credit card companies, and other product & service providers are not responsible for any content posted on FitSmallBusiness.com. As such, they do not endorse or guarantee any posted comments or reviews.
You must be logged in to comment. Click a "Log in" button below to connect instantly and comment.