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Yoga teachers and insurance – what should you have?

As a yoga teacher, there is only so much you can do to prevent injuries to students participating in class – yoga is physical and carries a high risk of injury. Careful consideration of sequences taught, addressing students’ alignment and offering modifications with props cannot protect you from the fact that someone might hurt themselves.

• Even when there has been no negligence on your part a student could claim you taught a pose incorrectly; or gave an unsafe or unwanted adjustment.
• Sometimes, students are unaware or fail to disclose their own health conditions, and certain poses trigger pre-existing problems and result in injury. Students often push themselves to perform in yoga class – even if you advise them not to.  These situations can lead to a lawsuit being filed against either the yoga teacher or studio.
• Someone can sue if they slip, trip or fall during class or in studio space – even without fault on your behalf, your studio can still be held responsible.

To financially safeguard yourself and your business as a yoga teacher or studio; you must have professional liability insurance and public liability insurance. If you are a studio, portable business equipment insurance is also recommended.

You cannot buy coverage after the lawsuit or damage to property has occurred – have this safeguard in place prior to doing any teaching!

• Yoga Australia recommends teachers have professional insurance of at least $5M – preferably $10M.
• Yoga Australia recommends minimum of $10M for public liability.

Studios generally require that students have their own liability insurance, as some studios do not have insurance that extends to employees and/or independent contractors, or locums.

What will insurance cover?

Seek advice about the best insurance option for you, as coverage differs. You need to make sure that your insurance covers the style of yoga you teach, especially if it is hot yoga, a little unusual/relatively unknown.

Generally – your insurance should cover students’ medical bills, equipment loss and negligence lawsuits… Lawsuits are expensive even if you win. Think about the cost of legal advice, plus preparation of documents, plus time in court/barrister fees and mediation. Liability insurance gives you financial protection to pay for your defence and any payout damages if ruling is not in your favour.

Make sure you are insured in all applicable situations:

The insurance should apply in all circumstances you might be teaching, for example:

• In the studio;
• In gyms;
• During outdoor classes;
• Teaching kids classes;
• In clients’ homes;
• At domestic and/or international yoga retreats;
• At trade fairs.

For yoga studios; you may want insurance to cover extra things such as:

• Glass cover and sign cover for lease;
• Interested parties for lease requirements;
• Employees and locums.

Portable business equipment insurance can also protect things such as yoga mats, iPads, speaker system, computers and so on from accidental loss or damage and fire.

If we can help you sort through the many insurance options on the market, find one suitable to your needs, and/or explain exactly what insurance protection is being offered, get in touch with one of our lawyers, you can book a free 15 minute chat here.

This is general advice only. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 

Published Mar 16, 2018