What Kind Of Insurance Do I Need As A Yoga Instructor?

Unprofessionalism, negligence, and incompetence can damage a yoga instructor's reputation. The consequences can be catastrophic — you may lose students and struggle to find new gigs. 

When there are lawsuits, an instructor could end up financially devastated due to the costs associated with claims (legal fees, payout etc,). But if you have comprehensive yoga insurance, they would help cover costs like medical expenses, client property damages, and even legal fees.

Don't solely rely on your skill (or luck) to keep you protected. Some students may fail to follow procedures, leading to injuries or accidents that could leave you at fault. For total peace of mind, make sure you research liability insurance as a foolproof way to protect your assets and long-term reputation. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Unprofessionalism or negligence can harm your reputation and lead to student loss or missed teaching opportunities.
• Lawsuits can be financially devastating without insurance, covering legal fees, medical costs, or property damage.
• General liability insurance protects against accidents like slips, falls, or damages during class or private sessions.
• Professional liability insurance covers claims related to your teaching practices, such as improper instruction or unwanted physical adjustments.
• Choose insurance with adequate coverage limits, inclusive terms, and consider specialized needs like ACRO, SUP, or prenatal yoga.
• Prevent claims by maintaining a clean, hazard-free studio and supervising students closely.
• Use consent forms and liability waivers to reduce risk and establish professional boundaries.
• Specialized insurance builds trust with vulnerable groups (children, seniors, prenatal) and enhances your professional credibility.
  
  
  

Types of Insurance Coverage Available for Yoga Teachers

Insurance for yoga instructors offers financial protection against claims. Additionally. you'll have peace of mind knowing an insurance company has your back. Your yoga insurance policy can include the following:

General Liability Insurance

Picture this: a new yoga student accidentally trips on a misplaced yoga block, causing them to fall and break their wrist. Now imagine someone slipping on a wet floor after a hot yoga class and getting a massive bruise on their hip. Since you are the responsible party in both of these scenarios, you could get sued for providing an unsafe environment. In both instances, general liability insurance could cover the costs to keep you from financial distress. 

If you are new to liability insurance, general liability insurance covers claims not directly tied to your professional services aka Slip and Fall Insurance. This type of coverage can also include property damage if it occurs at a client's home or space. A simple example, a client signs up for a private yoga session, and the instructor accidentally breaks a vase while demonstrating a new pose sequence. The insurance company can cover the cost of the vase. 

Professional Liability Insurance

Also known as malpractice insurance or omissions and errors insurance, this type of coverage protects the yoga teacher from a claim related to a teacher’s professionalism or teaching practices. Yoga teachers are protected under professional liability insurance when a student claims instructions were incorrect or misguided, leading to an injury. 

Another common situation that can occur is unwanted hands-on assistance causing emotional or physical distress. If the yoga teacher does not appropriately ask to provide a hands-on assist, there is potential that a lawsuit may be brought due to the teacher’s negligent teaching practice.  Professional liability insurance would cover costs like legal fees in this instance, but we also highly recommend consent requests while in class, and also requiring a signed liability waiver.

As a yoga teacher, it's your responsibility to provide clear and correct instructions to avoid being sued for negligence, however, accidents happen even with the most experienced yoga teachers leading the class. 

If you don't have yoga insurance yet, consider buying coverage that includes both professional & general liability to protect your reputation.

How To Choose An Insurance Policy

Coverage limits are one of the factors to consider when selecting a yoga insurance policy. The limit is the maximum amount the company pays out during lawsuits. 

Review the coverage inclusions in their entirety to ensure a policy has everything you need to feel at ease. Additionally, we recommend checking the policy exclusions, as some insurance companies may not include coverage for specialized yoga, such as ACRO yoga or SUP yoga. The cost of the policy also matters and to some may be the most important factor. 

All beYogi policy options were designed with yoga teachers’ needs in mind, and that is why we created a comprehensive and affordable policy for one annual flat rate. 

Avoiding Claims

Lawsuits can be stressful and overwhelming, especially for a busy yoga instructor. While getting yoga insurance can provide a sense of relief, knowing how to avoid claims can save you time and energy. 

Beyond providing informed instruction, maintain your yoga studio by cleaning it regularly to prevent accidents such as slips, trips, and falls. Yoga equipment and accessories should be visually inspected before use. Closely supervising students can also reduce risk and avoid lawsuits. 

Specialized Yoga Insurance

Do you teach yoga to specific populations, such as children, seniors, or pregnant women? These types of yoga require specialized care due to the increased risk of injury. If you work with older adults and other vulnerable populations, having yoga insurance can help establish trust with your students, showing your commitment to providing a safe environment.  

At beYogi, we cover a wide range of yoga services. Our insurance policies can cover up to $3 million worth of claims, and we provide coverage for up to 500+ modalities. 

If you teach prenatal yoga or work with seniors and kids, we have all-inclusive coverage that includes general and professional liability insurance for special populations and property damage insurance. Purchase your insurance policy today for immediate coverage and greater peace of mind.