The safety of your members and staff at your club should be a top priority. According to Kellie Blue, the owner of The Bay Club in Homer, Alaska, they found the assurance of safety through Sports & Fitness Insurance Company (SFIC).
Below, Blue shares the benefits she has found after partnering with SFIC — from seeing her club from a new perspective to amazing customer service.
CS: How were you introduced to SFIC and why did you decide to work with them?
KB: I became aware of SFIC through needing to get more affordable insurance. We had been insured locally in 2000 by a local company that really did not understand the business of the fitness industry — nor the actual revenue numbers that would be paying for insurance. It became really apparent quickly we needed an insurance company that knew something about the business, and would set up a payment structure accordingly. We put our insurance out to bid in 2007 and SFIC contacted us. We’ve never looked back.
CS: Does SFIC take an educational approach to insuring your club business? If so, can you provide an example of a way they’ve helped improve your risk management practices?
KB: The strongest aspect of SFIC is the educational component. As a club manager, I have benefited from information regarding everything from documenting cleaning procedures to anti-skid surfaces, regular maintenance and so on. Clubs are, by their very nature, dynamic situations, and it is so important to stay on top of these environments with continual staff training and retraining.
Safety is first and foremost for member safety, but also encompasses worker safety. SFIC sees and helps a club owner and manager break the different aspects and components out.
CS: Why did you recently decide to do a review of your waivers and Par Q documents?
KB: We revisited our membership agreement and liability waivers after being advised to do so not only by SFIC, but also by our regular legal counsel. Case laws change and are specific to each state — consistent and periodic review is key.
CS: Why is risk management a top priority for you as a business owner?
KB: Risk management is truly the number one job of a health club owner. It takes constant vigilance and diligence. The number of good-old fashioned check lists are important too.
CS: How would you describe SFIC’s customer service?
KB: SFIC has the best customer service. They always call back and your questions are taken seriously.
CS: Why should other clubs consider working with SFIC?
KB: I think my biggest learning experience was when SFIC first sent an actual inspector out to look at my club and evaluate for safety. At first, I was nervous and then I realized this was an opportunity to learn a different perspective and get some industry standard input. What was great was I realized some things I was doing great on and others where I improved from the perspective of a safety partner.
For more information on SFIC and how it can benefit your business, visit http://www.sportsfitness.com/.
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
