Simply by nature of the profession, personal training and fitness consulting carry a fair degree of risk — both for injury and property damage. Whether you train in a large facility, have a private studio, go to your client’s home, meet in the park or even solicit advice over Facebook, your instruction, exercise prescription and even personal opinions posted on social media are liable if an accident were the result of any action.
Fitness professionals are dealing with humans, movement, weights and/or machines — an environment that can be loud and distracting and any number of factors that can pose risks, even if managed with a high degree of attention. Most clients are seeking your skills, knowledge and expertise to help them lead a healthier lifestyle — meaning they may be starting from a de-conditioned or very unhealthy state. They may have underlying issues neither they nor their doctor know about. Even the recreational athlete can suffer an injury while working with you; that injury could have been building due to their training or competition outside your care. What if they’re just a klutz and accidents happen? The client’s signed waiver and release form, while it does mitigate some risk, is not a guarantee that any action would be dismissed.
The intent is not to paint a grim picture that the profession is wrought with eminent danger, the likelihood of you being sued is certain and your career will be destroyed. Rather, it’s to illustrate that risk is out there, and it’s just good business to have insurance to protect your assets. Researching and selecting an insurance provider can be a lengthy and possibly confusing process. Below are some things to consider while navigating the professional liability insurance landscape.
Where to look?
Much like personal renters (home or auto), there are many providers out there that provide excellent coverage. There are a few ways that can help you narrow down the field. One channel for information would be your professional colleagues. Find out who they work with and survey what they like/dislike about their cost, coverage and service. Another avenue is through your professional membership association. Many will partner with outside agencies to negotiate plans for their members with great benefits at an affordable price, because they are able to bring a lot of potential customers to them.
What kind of coverage is necessary?
Even if you are currently employed in a facility that has its own insurance, you should educate yourself on how and if you are covered under that policy. First, establish what you have and then assess what you still need. Professional liability policies will typically cover bodily injury and property damage, medical expenses, personal claims and advertising, while also guarding against sexual misconduct claims. Compare the limits of liability for each category and how much you’ll spend annually to determine which provider is going to offer the best value.
Melissa Archibald is the Marketing Project Manager for the National Strength and Conditioning Association. She can be contacted at 800-815-6826, or by email at melissa.archibald@nsca.com.
