How to Choose Martial Arts Liability Insurance Coverage in 2020
When shopping for martial arts insurance, ask the following questions:
- What is the annual premium? If you teach part-time, find out if there are part-time premium rates.
- Is there a discount for membership to any particular associations? It may be worth your while to join an association to gain the discount. Martial Arts Teachers Association members get $25 credit and a $590 website for using Sports Fitness Insurance Corporation (SFIC)
- If you own a martial arts studio, does the policy cover the entire studio or just you as a martial arts teacher?
Read more: Questions to Ask When Buying Martial Arts School Insurance
- Does the policy cover martial arts teachers-in-training such as Leadership Team members?
- Does the policy cover your employees?
- Does the policy cover independent contractors working at your martial arts studio?
- What is the maximum amount of coverage per claim?
- What is aggregate annual claim coverage?
- Are you, as a martial arts teacher, covered outside of the country where you teach? This could be relevant if you teach seminars or at a conference, etc.
- Are you covered if you are away from your usual place of instruction such as doing an anti-bully program at a local mall or teaching a self-defense class for real estate agents?
- Is there a maximum number of students per class that you can teach? If so, how many and can you get additional coverage (if you class size exceeds the stipulated number of students)
- Does the martial arts insurance policy cover your style of martial arts? What if you host an event at your studio where other types of martial arts are practiced? Be very specific about this inquiry. Sometimes, aerial, tricking, and acrobatic martial arts styles are excluded. The point is to ensure all your services and classes are covered.
- Is the use of martial arts equipment covered?
- Specifically, does the martial arts insurance policy cover:
- Professional liability?
- Advertising liability (libel, slander, copyright infringement, etc.)?
- Personal injury liability?
- Product liability?
- Premises liability?
- Property damage?
- Sexual harassment/ abuse/assault (if covered, usually coverage amounts are lower).
- What is the deductible amount, if any?
- Does the martial arts insurance policy include payment for legal fees if a lawsuit ensues?
- How soon must you report a claim? Know the answer because some insurance policies may breach you and therefore not cover you if you delay too long in reporting a claim. Typically you must report as soon as you suspect there may be a claim.
- Are there any notable exclusions? Read the exclusions section of the policy carefully.