Yoga Insurance for Freelancers vs. Studio Owners: What’s the Difference?

As with most physical activities, yoga carries some level of risk. And if you teach yoga or own a studio where students practice, it’s imperative to obtain liability protection in case something goes wrong.

But what kind of yoga insurance is right for you or your business? Are you a freelance yoga instructor who teaches on the go? Or do you own a studio where people can come to practice? This article will help you understand the major differences between an individual yoga insurance policy for freelancers and a business owner's policy for studio owners.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Freelance yoga instructors need portable insurance that covers them wherever they teach—studios, homes, outdoors, or online.
• Essential coverages for freelancers include liability insurance, personal injury, identity theft protection, and coverage for virtual classes and multiple yoga modalities.
• Occurrence form policies are ideal for freelancers, providing protection even after the policy ends for incidents that occurred during coverage.
• Studio owners should opt for a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) that bundles liability, property, and other key business protections.
• BOP coverages include building and equipment protection, workers’ comp, product liability, and stolen equipment coverage.
• Freelancer insurance is cheaper, typically starting around $179/year, since there’s no need for property or employee coverage.
• Studio insurance costs more, reflecting the added risks of physical locations, staff, and product sales, but it can be customized.
• Both freelancers and owners benefit from tailored insurance that protects against legal, financial, and operational risks—beYogi offers policies for both needs.
  
  

What Kind of Insurance Do Freelancers Need?

If you’re a freelance yoga instructor, you probably teach at different places, such as studios and private homes. You might even teach online. Because of this flexibility, you need insurance that fits your mobile lifestyle. Here are the coverages you should have as a freelance yoga teacher:

Professional & General Liability Insurance

This protects you if a student claims injury or alleges negligence during your classes. It covers legal fees and settlements, so you can focus on teaching.

Personal Injury & Advertising Injury Coverage

This covers you if someone accuses you of slander, libel, or copyright infringement related to your advertising or professional activities.

Identity Theft Protection Coverage

This coverage helps manage the fallout if your identity or personal data is compromised.

Mobile/Portable Coverage

Your insurance should travel with you across all 50 states, covering you in studios, clients’ homes, outdoor spaces, or wherever your teaching takes place. This aspect of a policy should be included.

Occurrence Form Coverage

This type of policy covers incidents that happen during your coverage period even if claims are made after your policy ends, providing long-term peace of mind. Occurrence form is the preferred coverage type compared to claims-made coverage.

Online Coverage

With more classes happening online, your insurance should cover live-streaming and pre-recorded sessions to protect you from risks unique to virtual teaching.

Comprehensive Modalities Coverage

Your policy should cover a wide range of yoga styles and wellness practices. At beYogi, we offer coverage for over 500 modalities, so whatever your specific teaching methods are, you can be confident they’re included.

What Kind of Insurance Do Studio Owners Need?

If you own a yoga studio, having a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) is a smart move. It bundles several important coverages into one simple package.

This kind of policy helps protect you from claims and lawsuits, covers your studio’s building, equipment, and inventory, and even provides financial support if your business has to close temporarily because of something unexpected.

Here are some of the key coverages usually included in a BOP for yoga studios:

Professional & General Liability Insurance

This protects you if someone gets hurt or their property is damaged during a class or while visiting your studio. It covers legal fees and settlements so you can focus on running your business without worry.

For example, if a student slips on a wet floor and injures themselves, this coverage helps with the costs if they decide to take legal action.

Commercial Property Insurance

This coverage helps protect your studio’s building, as well as the equipment, furniture, and supplies you use every day. If these are damaged, lost, or stolen, it helps cover the costs to fix or replace them, even if some of the items belong to others but are under your care.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

If you have employees, this coverage helps with medical bills and lost wages if they get injured or sick while working at your studio.

For instance, if an employee strains their back while setting up equipment, workers’ comp can cover their medical treatment and any time they need to be off work.

Product Liability Insurance

If you sell yoga mats, apparel, or other products, this coverage protects you if someone claims they were hurt or had property damage because of something you sold. For example, if a client injures themselves because a yoga mat you sold was defective, this coverage helps cover legal fees or settlements.

Stolen Equipment Coverage

This helps replace your studio’s equipment if it’s stolen, such as yoga props, sound systems, or other gear you rely on. Let's say your collection of yoga blocks and mats is stolen during a break-in. This coverage helps you replace them quickly, so classes can go on without interruption.

Cost Comparison: Freelancers vs. Studio Owners

Insurance costs can vary widely between freelancers and studio owners because their needs differ. Here’s a breakdown of how coverage differs and what affects pricing:

Freelancers

Freelancers typically pay less for insurance because their coverage is designed to “follow them” wherever they teach.

• Cost Range: Freelance yoga instructor insurance often starts at around $179 annually for comprehensive coverage, including professional liability and general liability.
• Why It’s Cheaper: Freelance yoga teachers don’t typically need location-specific coverage or additional protections for physical spaces. This generally keeps coverage costs lower.

If you’re a freelancer, our coverage at beYogi follows you no matter where your next gig takes you—across all 50 states in the US. This means you’re protected while teaching in a studio, at a client’s home, or even online through live streaming or pre-recorded videos.

Studio Owners

Studio owners generally pay more for insurance because they take on additional risks, such as managing a physical space and, in some cases, hiring instructors.

• Cost Range: Insurance for yoga studios varies based on factors like studio size, number of instructors, and coverage type. With beYogi, you can tailor policies to meet your needs as a studio owner, so you get coverage that works for your business.
• Why It’s More Expensive: Studio owners need extra protection from property-related risks, accidents in the studio, and adding landlords or collaborators to their policy.

You Deserve Peace of Mind—Let beYogi Help

If you teach yoga as a side gig or are a full-time independent contractor, buying liability insurance coverage is a no-brainer. With beYogi, you can protect yourself easily with just a few clicks. Get insured today and start enjoying coverage right away!