Fitness studio insurance covers the company’s existing and future assets from accidental injuries, equipment theft, and lawsuits for misleading promises of fitness success. Several different policies such as general liability, workers’ compensation, and business property might be required to cover the most common risks. Fitness studio owners should expect to pay approximately $2,500 annually.
Get the help you need to determine exactly what your fitness studio requires. Insurance for a fitness studio involves assessing the type of exercise programs offered, any training aids, and the size of staff. Hiscox makes this easy with one simple online application that quotes and provides coverage in a matter of minutes.
Top Fitness Studio Insurance Providers
| Hiscox | Easy online applications and instant quote fitness studio insurance quotes |
| The Hartford | Comprehensive and affordable building property coverage. |
| Sadler Sports & Recreation Insurance | Specialized sports insurance carrier for businesses with mixed fitness facilities. |
| Sports & Fitness Insurance Corporation | Simplified underwriting process with competitive rates for fitness studios. |
| Nationwide Insurance | Fitness studio owners seeking to have personal and business insurance in one place. |
Top providers for insurance for fitness studios balance the specialized risks for business owners and competitive pricing. Not every insurance carrier offers insurance for fitness studios, making shopping for policies difficult and frustrating. Simplified underwriting applications with appropriate coverage makes these providers the best.
Hiscox
Hiscox prides itself on understanding the particular risks faced by niche industries, like fitness and fitness studios. The company uses that knowledge to provide customized, affordable coverage to its clients.
Hiscox’s professional liability policies are a great fit for solopreneurs and growing businesses alike. Importantly, fitness studios can pay their annual premiums in monthly installments for no extra charge. Get a no-obligation quote in minutes and your COI will be available an hour after you purchase coverage.
The Hartford
The Hartford is a national leader for business insurance needs across the country. It offers property coverage for fitness studios but not general liability. Policies with this carrier are known for having more included coverage options for the most competitive rates. The Hartford has a simple claim process guiding business owners efficiently through to completion.
Fitness studios with leased locations should consider this carrier. The Hartford covers the gap for building and equipment insurance that most specialized fitness studio general liability providers don’t offer. These policies cover the building from fire, vandalism, and water damage resulting from burst pipes and accidental damage.
Sadler Sports & Recreation Insurance
Sadler Sports & Recreation Insurance is a nationwide specialty insurance provider that covers the needs of gyms, health clubs, fitness studios, and individual trainers and instructors. Sadler Sports & Recreation Insurance understands the risks of staying healthy. The underwriting process is quick and simple with one application that identifies the best options for a fitness facility.
Sadler Sports & Recreation Insurance is the easy choice for specialized fitness insurance. It has comprehensive policies and can adapt to the varying needs of specific hybrid studios, such as a fitness studio with some martial arts classes. If you are unsure what coverage you need because your fitness studio has some multi-use exercise programs, consult with Sadler Sports & Recreation Insurance.
Sports & Fitness Insurance Corporation
As a national provider for sports specialty insurance policies, Sports & Fitness Insurance Corporation has policies to cover the gamut of potential risks for a fitness studio or gym. By focusing on one industry, Sports & Fitness Insurance Corporation is able to maintain cost control and pass that on to fitness insurance policy owners.
Fitness studios with expanded services should call Sports & Fitness Insurance Corporation for a tailored quote. Because this carrier serves multiple types of fitness and gyms, it can provide comprehensive policies for various types of activities, including unsupervised training. Their underwriters work directly with studio owners, making sure policies cover all potential risks.
Nationwide Insurance
Nationwide Insurance is a national leader for both personal and business insurance lines. The company prides itself on the claims process, focusing on getting customers back to their original state before the loss occurred. For a fitness studio business owner, getting back to work and making money is imperative.
Nationwide Insurance is the perfect choice for a business owner seeking to have personal and business insurance in one place. For many fitness studio owners, personal autos are also used for business purposes, which means having one company covering everything reduces the chances of a gap insurance coverage between personal and professional needs.
What Fitness Studio Insurance Is
Insurance for fitness studios protects leased buildings, any equipment or business property maintained, and various accident liabilities. A fitness studio rents a building that demands building property coverage. This is often combined with a business property policy that covers check-in computer systems, lobby furniture, and equipment such as yoga mats or Pilates machines.
Fitness studio insurance is designed to cover non-weight training exercise facilities that have less than 3,000 square feet of total space. Common fitness studio exercise programs include yoga, Pilates, Jazzercise, and aerobics. This is a different coverage from circuit training insurance, health club insurance, or gym insurance, which covers machine training or larger, comprehensive exercise and training programs.
What Fitness Studio Insurance Covers
Fitness studio insurance covers fitness operations that do basic exercise and fitness routines under the supervision and guidance of a trained and licensed fitness instructor. Because new fitness systems are constantly being created to fit new exercise trends, fitness studio instructors should check with an insurance professional if their program is not on the list.
The common types of fitness studios covered are:
- Spinning classes
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Personal training (no self-training)
- Aerobics
- Children’s fitness classes
- Gyrotonic exercise programs
Liability coverage starts at $1 million for general liability that includes professional liability. Equipment and contents are often tiered with prices going up depending on the need of the fitness studio. Professional liability policies cover legal accusations that state the program did not fulfill professional claims. Medical payments cover customers who get injured while working out. You may need several policies to be properly insured.
What Insurance for Fitness Studios Doesn’t Cover
Fitness studio insurance doesn’t cover gyms where risk is considered greater. Unsupervised activities, equipment, and exercises that lead to higher risk of injury and rehabilitative services are not eligible under the fitness studio insurance programs.
Ineligible programs include:
- Sports rehabilitation centers
- Cheerleading and gymnastics
- Gyms with swimming pools, whirlpools, hot tubs, or cold plunge
- Martial arts studios
- Dance studios
- CrossFit affiliates
- Skills sport instruction
It can be difficult for a fitness studio to define what risk category it fits into when it comes to fitness centers or gyms. Some aerobics classes combine dance but are not considered a dance studio. CrossFit centers are supervised programs but involve dynamic weight lifting exercises, risking injury. Starting the insurance application process helps insurance providers place your company in the right risk category.
Applying for Fitness Studio Insurance
Fitness studio owners must complete an application to evaluate the facility, the types of classes it offers, and the overall risks. Quotes are available but until the underwriting process is complete, the quote is not final. Field underwriters may visit locations. Risk management programs are required by most carriers and should be common practice.
Risk management measures include:
- Liability waivers for all customers
- Background checks on all employees
- Certificates of insurance from independent contractors
- Concussion awareness and first aid certifications
- Child abuse and molestation protection program implementation
Insurance providers will ask for copies of safety protocol, cleaning procedures, and emergency response steps for the studio. Compile all required documents before starting the underwriting process to expedite approval. Taking measures to reduce risk keeps claims down and thus keeps premium pricing down.
Fitness Studio Insurance Costs
The size and scope of fitness centers vary. Quote estimates are based on fitness studios between 1,000 to 2,000 square feet and up to $10,000 in business equipment. Policies start with $1,000,000 in liability coverage and cap at $5,000,000. Increased coverage may be available through specialty insurance programs.
Fitness Studio Insurance Costs & Deductible
| General Liability | ||
| Professional Liability | ||
| Business Property | ||
| Sexual Abuse Rider | ||
| Medical Payments | ||
| Building Coverage |
*A corridor deductible is a deductible specific to health and medical coverage. The corridor deductible is a fixed dollar per occurrence set in motion after the company’s basic policy benefits are used and exhausted.
Costs of the fitness studio insurance policy are impacted directly by the level of liability coverage, the number of studio patrons needing medical payment coverage, and the additional riders for business property and sexual abuse. The building coverage is impacted by geographic location, size, and type of building the fitness studio is in.
Rates rise when a fitness studio’s loss history goes up, meaning there are more claims on the policy. A fitness studio could have its policy canceled with a significant loss history. Every fitness studio should take all measures to keep clients and staff safe while exercising at the facility.
Tips on Applying for Fitness Studio Insurance
Getting fitness studio insurance starts with understanding what you do and how insurance companies rate that risk. Establish processes and procedures to mitigate risk and reduce premium costs.
Identify the Type of Fitness Services You Offer
List every class and service your facility offers. This includes the types of classes and equipment used, which may range from hot hula classes to guided Pilates classes. You may have shower facilities and a smoothie bar. Insurance underwriters need to know everything you do to protect against risk and not exclude required coverage items.
Collect All Relevant Bookkeeping Records
The underwriting process for fitness studios requires annual revenue and the number of clients you serve. This helps the insurance carrier understand the extent of risk based on use frequency. Obviously, the higher the use frequency, the higher the risk.
Gather Independent Contractors’ Insurance Records
Require that every independent contractor provide you with a certificate of insurance for his own solo training program. Make sure the certificate of insurance has a minimum of $1 million in liability coverage and that your company is listed as an additional insured.
Prepare Risk Mitigation Protocol
Run criminal background checks on all employees, even administrative staff. Hold regular safety meetings and require all staff to be certified in first aid, CPR, and automated external defibrillator (AED) use, as well as concussion and spinal injury protocol.
Related Fitness Studio Insurance Types
Searching for fitness studio insurance yields results for gym insurance, health club insurance, and sports trainer insurance. Look closely at what these policies cover to make sure your facility applies for the right coverage. If you are declined for one type of policy, speak with a representative about your business to find the right fitness studio or sports policy for you.
Gym Insurance Policies
Gym insurance policies cover small training centers with weights, machines, and classes. There could be supervised and unsupervised training sessions. Facilities are less than 3,000 square feet. Policies cover general and professional liability.
Health Club Insurance Policies
Health club insurance policies cover large facilities over 3,000 square feet or facilities with many different types of exercise and fitness programs, including swimming pools, unsupervised training, saunas, and racquetball courts. Health clubs often have independent contractors training in the facility who must provide a certificate of insurance to train there.
Sports Instructor Insurance Policies
Sports instructor insurance policies cover an individual instructor who is supervising and teaching specific skills to individuals or groups. Policies cover various sports instruction including swimming, tennis, golf, football, and soccer. Most sports instructors have a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability coverage to protect against accidental injuries and claims.
Fitness Studio Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Fitness studios have many variations of what is and isn’t covered by fitness studio insurance. Here are some common questions studio owners have. If you haven’t found an answer here, please visit our forum with your questions so we can assist.
Do Personal Trainers Need Insurance?
Fitness studios that employ personal trainers must cover those trainers under the business liability policy. Any personal trainer defined as an independent contractor must have insurance and provide a certificate of insurance to the fitness studio that waives liability to the studio for services the trainer does on premises.
Is Workers’ Compensation Needed for Owners of Fitness Studios?
Workers’ compensation is required for every employee of the fitness studio with the exception of the owners and partners. Administrative staff and employed trainers need to be covered for injury and illness by workers’ compensation policies. Owners concerned about work-related injuries have optional coverage they can add to workers’ compensation policies.
Do Personal Trainers Get Health Insurance?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires everyone to have health insurance, and personal trainers should be concerned about the potential injuries. A fitness studio that employs personal trainers might offer health insurance via the state and federal requirements of the ACA. Personal trainers working as independent contractors must obtain health insurance on their own.
“It [General Liability) is required by any landlord if you are opening a studio. Without it, you are not going to able to lease anything. Furthermore, anyone can slip, fall, or get hurt during a workout, or any trainer can touch someone inappropriately and end up with a lawsuit. The bottom line is that it can just cover you, your studio, and your trainers, because accidents happen and insurance is there to get your back.” – Daniel Nyiri, Fitness Studio Owner, Author
“It [General Liability) is required by any landlord if you are opening a studio. Without it, you are not going to able to lease anything. Furthermore, anyone can slip, fall, or get hurt during a workout, or any trainer can touch someone inappropriately and end up with a lawsuit. The bottom line is that it can just cover you, your studio, and your trainers, because accidents happen and insurance is there to get your back.” – Daniel Nyiri, Fitness Studio Owner, Bottom Line
Insurance for fitness studios protects business owners from the financial loss associated with incidental injuries, fitness-related injuries, and damage to the facility. Injury claims are often tens of thousands of dollars, with many exceeding hundreds of thousands. Fitness studio insurance pays claims and legal fees associated with accusations and lawsuits.
Even the most safety-conscious fitness studio owners and operators are unlikely to avoid injury and claims against the center. Make sure all employees and independent contractors are covered by the company or with certificates of insurance. Work with an insurance company like Hiscox that understands the risks your business incurs daily. Get a no-obligation quote today.
Nicole Hamilton
I got certified a few months ago and I felt like a dear in the headlights. No one really taught me what to expect as far as the difficulty building my business.
I just read an article about not having business cards or needing a robust website, and I read his guide about increasing your income.
I am ACE certified, which I think is ok. And I’m working in a local gym, which I think will be best for my business. I also read an article about doing most of my sessions and one gym, and it makes sense for me too.
I feel much more confident in building an actual business.