Yoga instructor Insurance

What is yoga insurance?

Yoga liability insurance is a specialized type of coverage designed specifically for yoga instructors. Accidents can happen, even in the safest yoga environments, and that’s where yoga insurance steps in.

This type of insurance helps protect you and your yoga clients from a variety of risks. For instance, if a student injures themselves during a class, you could be held responsible.

While your clients and staff expect a safe environment, it’s impossible to guarantee safety 100% of the time. So, as a self-employed instructor or someone who owns a yoga studio, having a robust risk management strategy is key to keeping your business safe and thriving.

What does yoga instructor insurance cover?

We get it—whether you're a yoga teacher or running a studio, your needs are unique. That's why BrokerLink brokers are experts in finding the right coverage for you, with strong connections to insurance companies that specialize in the yoga world. We’re also closely involved with the Canadian yoga community, so we stay on top of industry changes and make sure you're always protected from liability.

Here’s what coverage we recommend our yoga teachers include in their professional liability insurance package:

Professional liability insurance

Professional liability insurance is essential for yoga instructors. In fact, many studios won’t let you work with clients in their space unless you can show you have professional liability insurance in place.

Also called errors & omissions insurance, it protects you if you're held liable for mistakes, oversights, or negligence while providing your professional services. If a client or third party sues you for something covered by your policy. Not only does it cover any damages the court might award to the person suing you, but it also helps with the costs of defending yourself—things like lost wages, legal fees, and expert witnesses.

Commercial general liability insurance

Commercial general liability insurance protects you and your yoga business from claims involving bodily injury, personal injury, or advertising liability. It also covers damage to third-party property caused by your operations, products, or something that happens on your business premises. If a claim is made against you, this coverage helps with legal defence costs and any compensation you may be required to pay.

Contents Coverage

If you’re renting your studio, you need coverage to protect your belongings. Contents coverage protects your personal property inside your yoga studio, like mats, blocks, straps, and sound systems. If any of these items get damaged or go missing, the insurance can help cover the cost of repairs or replacements, saving you from unexpected financial loss.

Tenants legal liability insurance

If you or an employee accidentally cause damage to the property you're renting, you could be held responsible for the repairs. With tenants legal liability insurance, your landlord would receive funds to cover the building repairs if you're insured. Just keep in mind that this coverage doesn't apply to your personal equipment. As always, it's subject to the terms of your policy.

Product liability insurance

Product liability coverage protects you if someone claims that a product you distribute, manufacture, or sell caused injury or property damage. This often involves issues like design flaws, manufacturing defects, or incorrect labelling and safety warnings. If you sell any products to your yoga clients, we strongly recommend you consider adding this coverage to your policy.

Cyber liability insurance

If you're storing client data, including financial or medical info, you're responsible for keeping that information safe. Cyber insurance can help cover costs if you fall victim to a cyber hack or other cybercrime involving your systems and data.

Legal expense coverage

This coverage protects your business if a third party, like a client or another business, makes a claim alleging sexual, physical, or verbal abuse. It will cover legal fees for your defence as long as you plead not guilty and are found not guilty. However, it doesn’t cover criminal defence costs.

Criminal defence cost reimbursement

If you're involved in a criminal case related to your professional services, you may qualify for reimbursement of your criminal defence costs. This coverage applies if the case is about how you conducted yourself in your practice and only if you plead not guilty and are fully cleared.

Optional insurance coverage for yoga instructors

Here are some additional coverage options for you to consider adding to your yoga insurance policy.

Commercial property insurance

If you own your own studio, commercial property insurance protects your studio, equipment, and inventory from covered events like fire, flood, theft or vandalism. It also often comes with business interruption coverage, which helps reimburse you for lost income if your business is disrupted by one of these events.

Coverage for international web-based consulting / teaching

If you work with clients online — whether through your website, social media, international calls, Skype, or FaceTime — you can get coverage for international web-based consulting or teaching. Note: this added coverage needs underwriting approval, and your specific services must meet the criteria for it.

What risks do yoga instructors face?

Running a yoga studio, like any fitness business, comes with potential risks. A lawsuit could put everything you've worked for at risk. Some common liability issues yoga instructors and studios might face include:

Injury to others

A client might slip during a pose, get hurt, and hold the instructor responsible for not ensuring their safety.

Negligence claim

A client might claim they were injured because of inadequate instruction.

Property damage

A fire could damage your studio and equipment.

Defamation

Another studio might accuse you of speaking poorly about their business and sue for slander.

Clients are constantly moving through your space, and with things like equipment lying around or water on the floor on a rainy day, there’s always a chance for someone to get hurt or property to be damaged. There’s no shortage of risks to be aware of in your studio.

These kinds of incidents can have a serious financial impact on your business. Medical costs, repairs, or legal expenses from a lawsuit can add up quickly. That's why having the right yoga instructor insurance is crucial—it helps cover the expenses related to these unforeseen situations.

How much does yoga insurance cost?

The truth is the cost of yoga insurance in Canada can vary. It should cover things like professional negligence, misinformation, or slander, but the price depends on the specifics of your situation — whether you're running a studio or working as a self-employed instructor out of someone else's studio.

The amount you pay for insurance is based on the level of risk your business presents. Generally, the higher the risk, the higher the cost. Factors that can affect your risk include:

• Where you teach.
• Your revenue.
• How long you’ve been teaching.
• Your insurance history.
• The number of employees (if any) you have.

As you can see, several factors determine the cost of yoga insurance. Different insurance companies will offer various quotes based on how they assess different risks. If you'd like to learn more about potential costs or get a quote for yoga insurance, reach out to BrokerLink today.

Tips to reduce the risk of an insurance claim

Yoga studio owners and instructors can follow a few simple risk management strategies to reduce the chance of legal issues:

• Regularly inspect and maintain all equipment, like yoga mats, blocks, and straps, to ensure a safe environment for both teachers and students.
• Communicate openly with both new and returning students to understand how they’re feeling, both physically and mentally.
• New students might feel nervous about starting yoga, so make an effort to ease their minds. A quick follow-up call after their first session can help check in on how they're doing and answer any post-session questions.
• Keep your students’ personal information private. A breach of confidentiality can lead to serious legal issues.
• Maintain clear and accurate records of all sessions and communications. This not only adds professionalism but also builds trust with your students.

Who needs yoga insurance in Canada?

If you teach yoga in Canada, having yoga teacher insurance is essential. Whether you own a studio and teach classes yourself, work full-time as a private instructor, or offer lessons as a side gig at a local gym, you need insurance to protect your yoga business. Even if you don’t run a studio and aren’t as exposed to things like slip-and-fall accidents, it’s still important to safeguard your business against unexpected risks that might not always be in your control.

Why do I need yoga instructor insurance?

There are many reasons why yoga instructors should consider investing in yoga insurance. This coverage not only provides financial protection but also gives you peace of mind. If you’re held legally responsible for a professional liability claim, this policy will cover those costs. Without it, you’d have to pay out-of-pocket, which could seriously impact your business.

Beyond financial losses, going without insurance could leave you vulnerable to other issues, like lawsuits for negligence or claims of slander that could damage your reputation. With the right insurance policy for your business, your provider helps manage the situation, including covering some of the related costs.

Why consider BrokerLink for your yoga insurance policy?

Our application process is simple, our coverage is comprehensive, and we can tailor the policy to fit your specific needs.

Our dedicated team is here to help you protect your yoga business and reputation with coverage that meets the standards of yoga associations across Canada. We’re proud to have strong relationships with these organizations.

At BrokerLink, we offer something unique: coverage for over 300 additional modalities at no extra cost (in most cases). If you’re also certified in another practice, we can combine your yoga insurance with that, too. Plus, we offer extra benefits at no charge, like loss of income coverage, protection against theft, and business interruption insurance.

Compare yoga insurance rates with BrokerLink

Shopping for business insurance, including coverage for your yoga studio, can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. With a trusted broker like BrokerLink on your side, we’ll make the process easy.

Since 1991, the BrokerLink team has been dedicated to finding insurance policies that meet the needs and budgets of our customers. We are experts in all things insurance and can ensure you receive the most competitive rate on your policy. We’ll search for the right policy, compare quotes, and find discounts to get you the best coverage at a competitive rate.

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FAQs for yoga insurance

How do I protect my yoga studio?

The best way to protect your yoga studio in Canada is by getting yoga insurance. It’s designed to cover the unique risks that come with running a yoga studio, helping keep you and your business safe.

How can I purchase yoga insurance?

You can get yoga insurance directly from an insurance company or through a broker. Choosing a broker has its perks—especially since experienced brokers are experts in yoga insurance. They’ll make sure you find the policy that fits your needs perfectly.

Do I need yoga insurance?

To operate your yoga studio safely — and often to meet your bank’s requirements — you’ll likely need insurance. But beyond that, there are many benefits to having yoga insurance. Without it, you could end up paying for medical bills, property damage, or legal fees out of your own pocket.

Do you need yoga insurance to teach yoga online?

You don’t need insurance to teach yoga online, but it’s a good idea. What if someone tries a pose from one of your classes, gets injured, and blames you for it? While it’s rare if it happens, insurance has you covered, so you won’t have to deal with big headaches. Plus, it shows your online students that you’re serious about their safety and doing things the right way.

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.