It goes without saying that just about any sport or discipline that involves aggressive physical contact can sometimes cause injuries. As a result, martial arts studios and instructors have unique business insurance needs. Protecting your business and other assets against losses that can result from fires, theft, and lawsuits is critical.
Fortunately, local independent insurance agents can help you find the right martial arts school insurance or martial arts instructor insurance to protect your business and livelihood. They'll get you matched to all the coverage you need. But first, here's a breakdown of martial arts insurance and why it's necessary.
Key Takeaways - Martial Arts Insurance
- Martial arts dojos, schools, academies, and gyms all need protection against many different potential losses due to risks like student injury lawsuits, commercial property damage, business interruptions, and more.
- Certain types of martial arts coverage, such as workers' compensation, might be required by state law, especially if your business has employees.
- The average cost of martial arts insurance ranges from $400 to $2,500 per year, but your policy's premiums can vary depending on the style of martial arts you teach, your business's location, and other factors.
- It's strongly recommended that you work with an independent insurance agent who can tailor a policy to meet the needs of your unique martial arts studio or dojo.
What Is Martial Arts Insurance?
The definition of martial arts insurance is a special type of business insurance policy designed to cover the unique risks involved in owning and operating a martial arts business. This coverage can be designed to protect various types of martial arts schools, academies, dojos, or mixed martial arts (MMA) gyms. It can also apply to karate, jiu-jitsu, taekwondo, and other types of studios.
A martial arts insurance policy must include at least a couple of forms of liability coverage, including professional liability, to protect against student claims of injuries arising from your services. Martial arts liability insurance can reimburse your business for damages to the injured student as well as for the cost of your legal defense in a resulting lawsuit.
An independent insurance agent can help you get equipped with the right type of coverage for your unique martial arts business, whether that's dojo insurance, MMA gym insurance, karate school insurance, jiu-jitsu insurance, or taekwondo insurance.
Who Needs Martial Arts Insurance?
Martial arts insurance is needed by many different types of businesses and professionals, including the following:
- Martial arts schools and training facilities
- Independent martial arts instructors and personal trainers
- Mixed martial arts (MMA) gyms
- Dojo or kickboxing studio owners
- Self-defense class schools and teachers
An independent insurance agent can help you find the right martial arts business insurance or self-defense class insurance for your profession.
Types of Martial Arts Insurance Coverage
Whether you already have a martial arts studio, are expanding, or are planning on opening a new one, having martial arts insurance is the best way to protect yourself, your staff, and your equipment. The most common types of martial arts insurance include:
- General liability insurance: This covers third-party claims of bodily injury or personal property damage, such as student slip-and-fall injuries on your premises and resulting lawsuit expenses.
- Professional liability insurance: This covers student claims of injuries or other harm caused by professional errors or negligence during your classes or other services and resulting lawsuit expenses.
- Umbrella insurance: Some martial arts studios like to carry additional liability protection that goes beyond the standard limits included in general or professional liability coverage to help pay for hefty lawsuits.
- Workers' compensation insurance: This covers incidents of work-related employee injuries and illnesses and exempts your business from employee lawsuits for covered incidents.
- Commercial property insurance: This covers your martial arts business's commercial property, such as buildings, equipment, and inventory, against damage, destruction, and theft caused by many listed perils.
- Business interruption insurance: This covers ongoing operating expenses during temporary closures due to a covered cause, such as fire damage.
- Cyber liability insurance: This covers expenses arising from incidents of data breaches or cyberattacks in which private or sensitive data is sold or exposed.
- Tournament coverage: This covers your students and staff for on- and off-premise events.
An independent insurance agent can help you assemble a complete martial arts business insurance policy that includes all the dojo liability insurance and other types of protection you need.
How Much Does Martial Arts Insurance Cost?
A complete martial arts insurance policy costs an average of $400 to $2,500 per year. The cost of your policy can depend on the types of coverage you need and other factors, including:
- Business size and location
- Types of martial arts classes offered
- Number of students
- Claims history
- Coverage limits and deductibles
An independent insurance agent can help you find cheap and affordable insurance for martial arts schools near you.
Quick Tips to Reduce Martial Arts Injuries and Insurance Claims
There’s no way to fully eliminate the risk of injury from martial arts training, but you can help minimize it if you do the following:
- Insist on a physical exam with a sports medicine doctor prior to student participation. The physician should be aware of the demands of each specific class.
- Conduct training in accordance with recognized practices.
- Integrate warm-up and cool-down routines in every class.
- Maintain current standards for all protective gear.
It’s best to consult with a physician who is certified in sports medicine. These doctors are up to date on the most common injuries and can suggest proper steps to help reduce them.
Following these tips can help your martial arts dojo reduce its risks of student injuries and subsequent insurance claims.
The Benefits of Martial Arts Insurance
Having martial arts insurance can benefit your dojo in many ways, such as by offering financial protection against lawsuits and medical claims from your students. Being insured can also help your dojo or school establish trust with prospective staff, students, and their parents. Ask an independent insurance agent to help you find the right dojo insurance protection so you can help your business build a professional reputation.
Choosing the Right Martial Arts Insurance Policy
When shopping for the best martial arts insurance, it's helpful to compare policies and coverage options from several different martial arts insurance companies. An independent insurance agent has access to multiple martial arts insurance providers in your area, and they know which ones are known to deliver on their coverage promises to policyholders.
Your agent can help you get set up with the right policy and review your coverage exclusions (such as competitions or weapons training) to help you find any additional protection necessary for your dojo. Your agent can tailor your martial arts school liability coverage types and limits to fit your business's martial arts style and class sizes.
An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You Compare Martial Arts Insurance Quotes
Independent insurance agents excel at matching the most appropriate policy to the business's needs. Shopping around for insurance policies can be tricky, confusing, and time-consuming, and an independent insurance agent's role is to simplify the process. Independent insurance agents know where to find the right insurance for karate schools and other martial arts dojos.
They’re also there to help make sure you get the absolute best deal, and the one that meets your unique needs. They can shop and compare martial arts dojo insurance quotes from several providers for you to find a great rate. And down the road, your agent will still be there to help you file business insurance claims or update your coverage when necessary.
FAQs About Martial Arts Insurance
How much does martial arts insurance cost per year?
Martial arts insurance premiums can range from $400 to $2,500 per year, depending on the type of dojo you own, the classes you offer, your location, and other factors.
Do I need martial arts insurance if I’m just an instructor and not a studio owner?
Yes, you still need insurance protection if you're a martial arts instructor. Ask an independent insurance agent to help you find the right martial arts instructor insurance that includes all the liability coverage you need.
What does martial arts liability insurance cover?
Martial arts liability insurance is a type of professional liability or errors and omissions coverage that can reimburse you for student claims of injuries or other harm caused during your classes. This coverage can pay for the injured party's medical bills and also for your legal defense in a lawsuit if they sue you.
Is martial arts insurance required by law?
Martial arts insurance might be required by law in certain locations to obtain state licensure. Certain types of coverage, such as workers' comp, might also be required by law if you have employees at your dojo or school.
Can martial arts insurance cover competitions and tournaments?
Typically, martial arts insurance excludes coverage for competitions and tournaments. An independent insurance agent can help you add the additional coverage needed for tournaments and competitions.
Does martial arts insurance cover student injuries?
Yes, martial arts insurance can cover different types of student injuries under its professional liability and general liability coverage sections.
What type of insurance do I need for a martial arts school?
Martial arts schools need several types of coverage, including professional liability, general liability, workers' comp, business interruption, and more.
How do I get cheap martial arts insurance without losing coverage?
You can get affordable martial arts insurance by working together with an independent insurance agent who can compare several quotes for you. You might also be able to find cheap martial arts insurance by bundling your coverage with another policy through the same insurer.
Sources
https://www.exercise.com/grow/martial-arts-insurance/
