You became a yoga instructor to help people relax, get healthy, and feel great, but misunderstandings or problems can always arise. When they do, you must be fully protected and covered to quickly get back to doing what you love. Shopping around and establishing your business will help you choose the right yoga insurance.
Why Yoga Insurance Matters
Yoga teachers have little control over who walks into their classes.
Some students will be experienced practitioners who are ready to go. For others, your classes could be their first exposure to yoga, even if you designate them as intermediate or advanced.
Injuries such as strains and falls happen to yogis of all levels. You could be liable if someone blames your instructions or an incident occurs during class. Then, your reputation and future partnerships with studios are at stake.
Yoga insurance policies cover you for basic injuries and even minor thefts your students could pull off in studios where you teach. Sophisticated coverage runs into the millions for veteran teachers who own studios plus contract others to work for them.
1. Consider your level.
You get points for being a student with yoga insurance. All professional instructors complete Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) courses, which require a set number of teaching hours. However, this role is still responsible for people and spaces, so it involves insurance, albeit less expensive.
Student coverage is cheaper, and you can keep the rate for up to a year as you establish yourself professionally.
2. Compare plans and research reviews.
Fellow yogis have a wealth of knowledge on the best insurance plans and pricing. They can alert you when a quote sounds closer to what a director pays for owning a studio than you should pay for starting out.
YTT students and recent graduates should consult their teachers. Also, most Yoga Studio Directors are happy to do informational interviews or answer questions if you interview to teach them.
3. Specify your areas of expertise.
Any yoga insurance company worth its salt will consider your practice area in the quote and final rate. High-end insurers like beYogi Yoga Insurance consider the nuances and activities involved in Hatha Yoga versus YogaFit Personal Training. The risks can vary tremendously depending on the edge students want you to take them to.
Yoga is a lifelong practice you will evolve and develop within. However, get precise about where you are for insurance's sake. Then, work with a policy writer to ensure you're covered for everything you want to do with students.
4. Insure according to your business plan.
Your business model dramatically affects the exact yoga insurance you need.
- Will you freelance part-time, as a hobby or on a volunteer basis?
- Will you travel to students, teach at home or work out of a studio?
- Will you contract commercial space to run your own studio?
- Will you work with special groups like seniors and the disabled?
- Will you partner with other yoga teachers as a collective or employ some?
These considerations will determine how much property, injury and loss protection you need.
Expect to pay $150-$500 monthly for professional yoga insurance. It may seem like an expensive burden initially, but it could help your practice grow in the long run. The assurance and confidence of staying legitimate professionally will help you to build a business faster and stronger than you might without insurance.
