As a yoga teacher it is important that you protect yourself, your clients and your studio from potential lawsuits. While yoga is relatively safe compared to many other physical activities, the risk of injury is always a possibility. As you will see below, there is also a wide range of other situations which may cause a lawsuit to result even if you are not personally negligent.
In recent years, there have been a number of lawsuits against yoga teachers. In 2008, a Chicago-based yoga teacher was sued after a student received injuries two years previously in that instructor’s class. The YMCA where the instruction took place was also named in this lawsuit. There are a number of steps that you can take to protect yourself, including making sure students sign consent forms and never re-positioning a student without asking them first. However, the best way to protect yourself is to obtain comprehensive yoga insurance.
Liability insurance protects yoga teachers from a variety of damages, which may include lawsuits due to physical injury that a person experiences while inside of your studio, or that relates to your own personal loss of equipment. It is important to note that you can still be at risk of a lawsuit even if the damage is a result of a general liability issue, such as a trip or fall that has nothing to do with your teaching skills.
When choosing your insurance provider, you should look at a number of different factors. First, you should choose an insurance provider that understands the yoga business and your specific needs. Second, you should feel that you receive excellent customer support and that all of your questions are satisfactorily answered. Third, you should look at the amount of damages you will be covered for. Fourth, make sure that all forms of yoga that you perform are covered, e.g. Bikram yoga. Last, you should be quoted a price for your insurance which meets your budget.
What Should the Insurance Policy Cover
The insurance policy that you choose should be comprehensive to cover you for all potential problems that you may encounter. This should include :
- Accidental body injury or loss of property at your studio
- Injuries that occur outside of your normal place of business such as a yoga retreat
- Damages that result from products, equipment or supplements that you use in class
- Injuries that result from advice that you have provided such as a position which causes damage to your student while they are practicing at home
- Damage to the studio or other rental property
Requirements for Yoga Insurance
Some yoga insurance policies require that you are a member or that you are certified by a specific organization. Other organizations may offer discounted insurance rates to their members. Make sure you fully understand what requirements a company may have before signing up for their insurance program.
Conclusion
Obtaining Montana yoga insurance is the best way to protect you and your professional teaching career. Most yoga instructors find that insurance is surprisingly affordable and will usually cover you up to as much as $4 million in damages. A good insurance company or broker will be able to talk you through your options and make sure that you get the right yoga insurance for your needs.