Personal trainer insurance refers to a policy or group of policies designed to protect a personal trainer’s business assets. One policy almost all trainers need is general liability, which covers the costs of common lawsuits business owners face. Additionally, personal trainers should consider professional liability, which, when bundled with general liability, may cost around $700 to $3,000 annually. The average annual cost of professional liability for personal trainers can range from $500 to $1,800.
Simply Business is a great way to find personal trainer insurance while saving money. Because it works with multiple insurance companies, you can compare quotes and purchase a policy in 10 minutes or less.
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Who Needs Personal Trainer Insurance?
Every personal trainer needs to consider liability insurance. This is especially true if you work as an independent contractor for a commercial gym—the gym’s liability policy may only cover employees.
Additionally, some, but not all, gym owners require independent trainers to carry coverage and ask to see certificates of insurance (COI) before allowing anyone to work in their facility. If you’re an employee, there’s a good chance your employer’s personal trainer liability insurance covers you. However, you need to confirm this with your employer.
According to the National Safety Council, there were over 445,640 injuries related to exercise and exercise equipment in 2022—that is an increase of more than 36,000 from 2021. This number is exclusive of injuries from sports participants. Given that statistic, there is a chance a customer under your guidance will become injured at some point, making it important to be properly covered.
Personal Trainer Insurance Costs
Personal trainer liability insurance costs depend on the number of policies and the amount of coverage needed and increase as you add more coverages. Trainers who only need general liability typically pay $200 to $1,200 per year.
Insurance Type | Estimated Annual Premium | Deductible | Coverage Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
General Liability | $200 to $1,200 | $0 | $1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate |
Professional Liability | $500 to $1,800 | $100 to $1,000 | $1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate |
Commercial Property | $200 to $800 | $500 to $1,000 | Varies based on the property value |
Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) | $500 to $1,200 | $500 for property | $1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate for liability; property varies |
In addition to the number of policies and coverage amounts, insurers also consider a number of factors when determining personal trainer insurance costs. These include:
- Location: The risk of a natural disaster is factored into the premium.
- Claim history: Filing multiple claims makes your business look riskier to insurers, and this can increase your premiums or make it hard to find insurance.
- Revenue: Personal trainers who earn more money may pay more for their insurance, partly because they are more likely to be sued.
- Employees: Employers have to get workers’ compensation insurance in most states, but hiring employees also increases your chances of theft, client lawsuits, and property damage.
- Business-owned property: Insurers look at the size, age, and type of property your business owns, plus its overall value.
- Risk management: Some insurers offer discounts to personal trainers who have security systems and fire alarms; they may also reduce premiums if a trainer regularly uses written contracts and liability waivers.
Personal trainers can sometimes save money on business insurance by reducing their coverage limits, raising their deductible, or both. However, these options may cause problems because the trainer takes on greater financial obligations in the event of a claim.
Personal Trainer Insurance Coverages
Insurance Type | What it Covers |
|---|---|
General Liability | Third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury |
Professional Liability | Legal fees stemming from clients’ accusations of professional negligence |
Commercial Property | Damage to business-owned assets, such as building, equipment, and inventory |
Inland Marine | Covers tools and equipment that you take with you to different locations |
BOP | Combines general liability, commercial property, and usually lost business income |
General liability insurance, sometimes referred to as personal trainer liability insurance, covers third-party bodily injury, property damage, and reputational harm. This is an important policy for personal trainers because of the broad category of risk it covers.
Some examples of situations personal trainer liability insurance covers include
- Bodily injury: A client breaks a toe tripping over a dumbbell in your gym
- Property damage: A stray medicine ball shatters a mirror in the studio you rent
- Reputational harm: An artist sues after learning you haven’t paid royalties for using their playlist in your class
In incidents like these, general liability insurance helps pay for the injured party’s medical bills and repair costs or your legal fees if the injured party decides to sue.
Also called errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, professional liability insurance pays the costs of your legal defense plus any settlements or judgments if a client claims their injuries or financial losses are the direct results of your services. Here are some examples of commonly covered incidents:
- Errors: Instructing a client to lift more weight before they are ready
- Omissions: Offering weight loss advice but leaving out a key component
- Failure to deliver: Selling a course but failing to teach them
Personal trainer professional liability insurance covers your legal fees even when the allegations are baseless.
Never assume a business liability waiver protects your business from being sued. While it does reduce the chance of a liability lawsuit, it isn’t a perfect solution. Waivers only transfer some of the liability to your clients, and injured parties can still sue you for gross negligence. Even if a judge decides the suit doesn’t have merit, there is still the defense cost. This is why it’s a good idea to use both waivers and personal trainer insurance coverage.
Commercial property insurance covers damage to your business’s physical assets, including your studio and the equipment, furniture, or fixtures within it. Policies pay to repair or replace them up to the insured amount, minus your deductible if they’re damaged in a covered event, such as a fire, theft, vandalism, hail, or windstorm.
Some trainers may instruct virtually or lead classes outdoors. Others may rent space and can get property policies that only cover the business’ property called inland marine insurance. Examples include weight machines, Pilates equipment, and kettlebells.
Whether you should get commercial property insurance vs. inland marine will come down to the value of your equipment and the type of equipment. If what you own are weights and some equipment, then inland marine is probably the better option for personal trainer insurance.
A BOP combines both general liability and commercial property, covering a business’ most common risks. Combining both is not only convenient but also more affordable.
Personal trainers who own their own studios should consider getting a BOP. Business owners can also include business interruption when damage to property stops the business from operating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Personal trainers will need professional liability insurance because the emphasis of their business is instruction. They should also carry general liability if they operate a physical business and workers’ compensation if there are any employees.
While costs will vary, the average cost of professional liability for personal trainers can range from $500 to $1,800 annually. Insurers will consider a number of factors when determining the premium, including claims history, experience, and size of the business.
Depending on the language of the contract and the gym insurance policy, the policy may exclude coverage for contractors. Double check with the gym but be prepared to purchase your own personal trainer liability insurance coverage.
Bottom Line
Getting in shape requires a commitment to a routine. If you are going to go the distance with your personal trainer business, you’ll want to ensure your business is protected. Personal trainer liability insurance protects your business from financial losses that come from liability claims or claims for your property. General liability is a common policy for all businesses and should cost $200 to $1,200 annually for a personal fitness trainer.
As an online broker, Simply Business can be your one-stop shop for all of your personal trainer insurance needs. Get started comparing quotes and purchase a policy online in just minutes.
