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Helping clients achieve their fitness goals as a personal trainer (PT) can be a truly rewarding experience. But no matter how careful you are, accidents can happen. And if you’re not adequately insured, you could see your hard-earned gains wither away.
The products included in personal trainer insurance packages can protect you from the financial consequences of a client injury or damage to equipment, and ensure you’re still earning if you’re unable to work because you’ve been involved in an accident.
What is personal trainer insurance?
Personal trainer insurance is not one specific insurance policy, but rather a term used to describe a set of products that could be useful for those working as a personal trainer. For example, these might provide cover if one of your clients is injured during a session or can compensate you for loss or damage to your equipment.
Public liability insurance for personal trainers
As a personal trainer, public liability insurance is one of the most important types of cover. If a client is injured or dies, or their property is damaged, during a training session with you, public liability insurance could ensure you’re covered against any legal costs, as well as claims for compensation, medical bills, loss of earnings, and repair of damaged items.
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance for a personal trainer is also a good idea. It can cover legal and compensation costs if a client sues you for professional mistakes or negligence – for example, if they’re injured while following your training advice.
Sports equipment cover
As a personal trainer, you may own the equipment you use to get your clients into shape. If any of these items were lost, stolen or accidentally damaged, sports equipment cover could help you with the financial costs of replacing these tools of the trade.
Personal accident cover
You may also consider personal accident insurance, which provides financial support if you are injured and unable to work due to an accident.
Why might I need personal trainer insurance?
Even if you’re a super-cautious and experienced PT, instructing a client to lift heavy objects, use complex gym equipment, and move dynamically can result in injuries. That’s why it’s worth considering an appropriate personal trainer insurance package.
Besides, public liability insurance may be required by third party facilities, such as gyms or leisure centres, which can demand a minimum level of cover before you can train clients on their premises.
Also, if you employ staff, you’re legally required to have employers’ liability insurance of at least £5 million to cover you for any accidents or injuries they might suffer. The only exception is if your employees are family members (unless you are incorporated as a limited company) or are based abroad.
What does personal trainer insurance cover?
The products included in personal trainer insurance packages may give you financial protection if a client or member of the public is injured or their property is damaged while under your instruction. It can also cover you for time spent off due to a personal injury, and replace lost, damaged, or stolen fitness equipment.
What is or isn’t covered by personal trainer insurance will generally be determined by what products you choose to include in your policy. Often, you can customise your policy to match your specific needs.
What is usually included in personal trainer insurance?
The following usually form the cornerstone of a personal trainer insurance policy:
- public liability insurance
- professional indemnity insurance
- personal accident insurance
- sports equipment cover
Of course, there may be other insurance products that you would like to include in your cover.
What isn’t usually included in personal trainer insurance?
One type of insurance that isn’t commonly included in a personal trainer insurance policy is product liability insurance.
However, if you are recommending products, such as supplements or even fitness equipment, there is a chance you could be sued if a customer has an adverse reaction or a client is injured. The risk is increased to you if you do sell products to your client, or offer them free samples, in which case product liability insurance could make sense.
Business car insurance is also unlikely to be included in your policy and will usually need to be added separately. You would only need to consider this, though, if you regularly travel to appointments.
Can I get personal trainer insurance without certification?
While your insurer might not ask for proof of personal trainer certification when you take out a policy, if you’re not properly qualified, they likely won’t pay out if you try to make a claim. On the other hand, some providers may ask for proof of qualification.
Being dishonest in your application for any form of insurance is likely to invalidate your policy, so it is important to fully disclose information when you apply.
Do you need insurance for online fitness classes?
While you’re not legally obliged to have insurance for online fitness classes you give, it’s wise to ensure you are adequately covered. Clients can still get injured by following your advice online in their living room and make a claim against you, just as they could if you were training them in person.
Some insurance providers have started automatically including online personal training cover in their packages. Make sure to check with each insurer whether their policy covers you for online activities and whether there are any restrictions such as limiting online training cover to UK-based clients.
Are there restrictions on where I train?
Your personal trainer insurance will likely cover you wherever you train your clients, whether at a gym, in someone’s home, or in a public space. However, it is always important to check your policy beforehand.
If you would like to train outside the UK, then you may need to amend your existing policy.
Will I be covered to give nutritional advice?
As long as giving nutritional advice is part of your personal trainer qualification, your insurance policy should cover you for this part of your job. Again, it is always important to check your policy to make sure you are covered.
How much does personal trainer insurance cost?
The cost of your personal trainer insurance could depend on several factors, including:
- your location
- the scale of your operation
- how much cover you need
- your claims history
- whether you have any employees
- how much voluntary excess you pay
The number of clients you see and how regularly you see them may not affect the cost of your policy. However, you should confirm this with your provider.
What kind of excess will I pay?
The size of your personal training insurance policy’s excess – the amount you agree to pay towards any claim you make – will depend on a few factors, including the policy itself, how much your insurer expects you to pay as a compulsory excess, and whether you decide to pay any voluntary excess.
Paying a higher excess can reduce the cost of your premiums, but work out whether you can afford to pay a larger sum towards settling an insurance claim before going ahead.
» MORE: Compare business insurance
Personal trainer insurance FAQs
As a starting point, a personal trainer may want to consider public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance to protect against claims for compensation made by a client if they’re injured or their property is damaged.
Legally the only insurance you need is employers’ liability insurance, and only if you employ someone outside your family who is based in the UK or your business is incorporated as a limited company.
» MORE: Do I Need Business Insurance?
If you’re using third party facilities such as a gym or fitness centre to see your clients, most of these venues will require proof of a minimum level of public liability insurance.
Likewise, if you employ anyone outside your family who is based in the UK, you are legally required to have a minimum of £5 million in employer’s liability insurance.
Professional indemnity insurance is a good idea for personal trainers as if a client is injured as a direct result of your fitness advice, you could be liable.
While it is not a legal requirement, it is well worth considering, especially if you do not think you could cover the cost of a claim made against you.
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by Connor Campbell