Personal trainer insurance: What it is and how it works

Being a personal trainer can be a fulfilling career, but it can also create liability risks. Whether you offer personal training services in your clients’ homes or run a large gym, you could be liable if a client is injured or something else goes wrong during a session. That’s where personal trainer insurance comes in.

“Insurance isn’t just about protecting yourself; it’s about demonstrating professionalism and commitment to your clients’ safety and your business’s integrity,” said Andrew White, a NASM-certified personal trainer. “I’ve seen how having the right insurance can give both trainers and clients peace of mind, knowing they’re covered in case of unforeseen circumstances.”

Do personal trainers need insurance?

Generally speaking, if you have a personal training business, business insurance is advisable. Depending on where you live, you may be required to purchase certain insurance coverages for your business.

Even if your state doesn’t require you to have business insurance, it’s still a good idea in most situations, especially given the nature of personal training. Personal trainers, more than many other professionals, may be responsible for injuries to their clients and those injuries can be expensive.

“No matter how good and attentive you are, accidents can happen, and personal training does come with inherent risks,” said Anel Pla, a certified personal trainer and chief wellness officer.

“As a personal trainer, having insurance is crucial to ensure both your own protection and that of your clients.”

Choosing not to carry insurance for your personal training business could have major financial implications for both your business and you personally if a client chooses to sue after an accident: Lawsuit costs tend to start out in the tens of thousands of dollars. Meanwhile, the cost of this type of insurance is quite low (under $100 a month, in many cases), meaning it’s easily accessible for most business owners.

What types of insurance do personal trainers need?

There are two primary types of insurance that you’ll likely need: professional liability insurance and general liability insurance.

Professional liability insurance

Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, protects you against claims of negligence from your clients. For example, if a client sues you because they’re injured during a training session due to your negligence or poor advice, your professional liability insurance could help cover it.

General liability insurance

General liability insurance protects your business overall from claims based on the location of your business. For example, suppose your client leaves a session and injures themself after slipping on your freshly-mopped floor. In that case, your general liability insurance would apply.

“This type of insurance is vital because it covers you from potential financial losses and legal complications stemming from accidental property damage or injuries to others,” Pla said. “Without this coverage, you’d be left personally responsible for covering these expenses.”

What risks are covered under personal trainer insurance?

The risks covered under personal trainer insurance vary depending on the type of insurance and your insurance carrier.

Risks often covered by professional liability insurance include:

• Negligence
• Inaccurate advice
• Personal injury (i.e., libel or slander)
• Misrepresentation

These are risks directly related to your work as a personal trainer.

Meanwhile, general liability insurance protects against risks such as bodily injury and property damage that arise from your everyday operations and claims against your company’s advertising.

Both professional and general liability insurance can also pay for your legal expenses. For example, if you’re sued by an injured client, not only would your insurance cover the client’s medical bills, but it would also cover your legal fees and any other judgments against you.

Just as it’s important to discuss the risks that are covered by personal trainer insurance, it’s also important to discuss what risks aren’t covered. Your liability insurance won’t apply if an injury is the result of your illegal activity or intentional actions or if one of your employees suffers an injury while working. It also won’t protect you from false or misleading advertisements.

Does personal trainer insurance cover property damage?

General liability insurance pays for claims against your business, including property damage.

“This means if you accidentally damage a client’s property or the property of a facility where you’re training a client, your insurance can cover the costs of repairs or replacements,” White said. “This is particularly important if you’re working in client homes or renting space in a gym.”

How much does personal trainer insurance cost?

The cost of personal trainer insurance depends on a variety of factors, including the coverage type, coverage limits, where your business is located, how long you’ve been in business, your claims history and whether you have employees (and how many you have).

Prices can start as low as $10 per month ($120 per year) for certain policies. However, a more comprehensive policy may cost many hundreds of dollars — or even upwards of $1,000 — per year if you own a training facility.

The best way to get an idea of how much your personal trainer insurance will cost is to shop around and get quotes from several business insurance carriers. These quotes will be more accurate to your specific situation than an industry-wide average will be.

Additional insurance options for personal trainers

Professional liability and general liability are the two coverage types that most personal trainers should have. However, there are also a variety of other coverage types that may apply to business owners in certain situations. Here are a few examples:

• Workers’ compensation insurance: If you have employees, most states require you to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance pays for medical expenses and lost wages for your employees if they’re injured on the job.
• Commercial property insurance: If you run a gym or another physical training facility, you’ll need commercial property insurance, whether you own or lease the location. This type of insurance can protect the building itself (if you own it) as well as your equipment. It works similarly to property insurance on your home or apartment, helping protect you from potential losses. You may be able to bundle commercial property insurance with general liability insurance under a business owners policy (BOP).
• Commercial auto insurance: If you have a vehicle that you or your employees use for business use, your state likely requires you to insure the vehicle. You typically need liability auto insurance at a minimum but can also choose a full-coverage policy.
• Product liability insurance: Some personal trainers offer physical products they sell to their clients or use during training sessions. This insurance would protect you in case of an injury related to those products.
• Data breach insurance: As a business owner, you likely need to collect clients’ personal information, including contact and payment information. Data breach insurance can protect you in case someone steals your clients’ sensitive information.