Personal Trainer Sexual Abuse and Molestation Liability
Sexual Abuse and Molestation Liability Insurance for Personal Trainers
Personal training sessions and exercise classes often include close physical proximity to clients, references to different parts of the body, and verbal (sometimes physical) form correction. Because of these things, a client may still misinterpret, misunderstand, or feel uncomfortable with the interaction even when you have the best intentions.
Sexual Abuse and Molestation coverage is designed to act as a financial safety net should you face a claim or lawsuit for sexual misconduct.
What is Personal Trainer Sexual Abuse & Molestation Insurance?
Sexual Abuse and Molestation Insurance (also referred to as SAM or SML insurance) is designed to cover personal trainers and other fitness professionals who may face allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse, or inappropriate behavior.
Defending yourself against such claims can be costly, time-consuming, and damaging to your reputation, whether they are true or not. SAM insurance provides the legal and financial support to defend your career.
What Does Sexual Abuse and Molestation Liability Insurance Cover?
SAM insurance helps pay for expenses associated with abuse- or misconduct-related claims, including:
- Attorney fees
- Defense costs
- Judgements
- Awards and settlements
These costs can quickly become financially devastating, even to the point of bankruptcy. SAM insurance exists to help keep that from happening so you can continue doing what you love.
What Does SAM Insurance Not Cover?
SAM insurance for fitness professionals does not cover:
Fines, sanctions, or penalties (money you’re ordered to pay by a court or government)
The court may require those found guilty of a crime to pay these fees as a punishment or consequence of breaking the law.
Punitive or exemplary damages (punishment money a court can add on top of regular damages)
These legal damages are designed to punish a perpetrator for exceptionally bad behavior or discourage similar actions from others.
Any amounts deemed uninsurable by law (costs that the law says insurance can’t cover)
Insurance can’t cover any costs we aren’t legally allowed to cover.
Prior knowledge of acts of sexual abuse and misconduct
Insurance won’t cover your financial responsibility for someone else’s sexual misconduct you knew about but didn’t reveal to the appropriate authority.
Indemnity of a perpetrator (protecting someone who caused harm from having to pay for it)
Indemnifying someone means compensating them so they haven’t lost any money. Insurance won’t reimburse someone guilty of a crime for their financial losses related to that crime.
Employment-related practices (issues that come up between you and your employees, like discrimination or wrongful firing)
Hiring-related or workplace sexual misconduct (for example, discrimination or harassment during the interview process) will typically fall under an employer’s employment practices liability insurance, so it’s not covered by SAM liability insurance.
Assumed liability (responsibility you took on in a contract that wouldn’t normally be yours)
Assumed liability is when you take responsibility and accept fault for an allegation without letting your insurance company investigate the claim and circumstances. From that point on, SAM liability insurance can’t cover you.
Prior and pending circumstances or claims (problems or claims that happened or started before your policy began)
If there is already legal action or a claim for alleged sexual misconduct against you, this coverage won’t go back to cover incidents from before your policy started. That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead and be insured before an emergency.
Intentional acts of harm or proven wrongful conduct
Intentional acts are things you do on purpose, knowing they’re illegal or against an ethical standard. Proven wrongful conduct is when a court officially rules that you violated a legal or ethical standard.
Claims occurring outside of the policy period
Your insurance will not cover you for any incident that occurs before or after your official policy start and end dates.
Please refer to your policy for coverage limitations.
How Much Does SAM / SML Insurance Cost?
Insurance Canopy offers SAM coverage as an optional add-on to your base policy, starting at $10.33/month.
Coverage Details
General & Professional Liability Limits
$3,000,000
$3,000,000
The amount your policy will pay for claims arising out of one or more of the following offenses:
– False Arrest, detention or imprisonment
– Malicious prosecution
– Wrongful Eviction or Wrongful Entry
– Oral or written publications that slander or libels a person or organization
– Oral or written publication or material that violates a person’s right of privacy
– The use of another’s advertising idea in your advertisement
Included
The maximum the insurance carrier will pay for a bodily injury or property damage claim that you become legally obligated to pay due to your business and professional services.
$2,000,000
Applies to damage by fire to premises rented to the insured and to damage regardless of cause to premises (including contents) occupied by the insured for 7 days or less.
$300,000
$5,000
The amount we deduct from a claim before paying up to your policy limits.
$0
Optional Add-Ons
Price
$1.33–$5.55/month
The maximum amount paid out in the case of a cyber attack on your business. Because this coverage is not automatically included in the standard General Liability Policy, you will need to opt into this coverage. See the application for additional coverage details for Cyber Liability Insurance.
$8.25/month
$6.83/month
Coverage for a third party, such as a business, property owner, event organizer, or employer who could be named in a claim arising from your business operations. It cannot be used for employees, friends or family, other trainers, yourself, or other businesses you may own. Add one additional insured for $15, or choose unlimited additional insureds for $30.
$15–$30/year
Coverage for defense costs if you’re wrongly accused of sexual harassment or improper conduct.
$10.33/month
Do Personal Trainers Need Sexual Abuse & Molestation Insurance?
Yes! Personal trainers — and all fitness professionals — need SAM coverage. Personal training often involves close physical proximity to clients, discussions about their bodies, and sometimes physical touch.
No professional expects to face these accusations, but even a slight misunderstanding can lead to legal action. SAM liability insurance offers a critical layer of protection. Plus, many employers and business partners may require this coverage.
Common Scenarios of Why Fitness Professionals Need SAM/SML Insurance
Examples of when a sports and fitness professional may need Sexual Abuse and Molestation Insurance include:
- A client misinterprets your verbal instructions while correcting their kettlebell swing technique and files a claim of sexual harassment against you
- A client looks like they’re about to fall, and you reach out to steady them, but then they sue you for touching them inappropriately
- Another trainer’s client claims you kept staring at them inappropriately during their session, leading to an investigation and lawsuit
- An unhappy client makes a wrongful accusation against you, requiring legal defense to clear your reputation
What Happens If a Claim is Filed Against You?
If a client files a SAM claim against you:
- 1. Do not admit fault or responsibility
- 2. Limit interactions with the client
- 3. Record all relevant details
- 4. Notify your insurer immediately
- 5. Your insurer will review the claim
- 6. Legal counsel may be provided to defend your case
- 7. Your insurer will guide you through the process of protecting your business
Facing a false claim of sexual harassment or misconduct can be overwhelming. Insurance Canopy is here to handle the legal and financial aspects if you ever need to file a claim.
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Common Questions About SAM/SML Insurance for Personal Trainers and Fitness Instructors
Does Personal Trainer Professional Liability Insurance Cover SAM/SML Claims?
Insurance Canopy’s professional liability insurance excludes claims related to sexual abuse and molestation. We offer SAM coverage as an optional (but highly recommended) add-on to your personal trainer policy so you can get the best coverage for you.
Do Fitness Instructors Need Sexual Abuse and Molestation Insurance?
Yes. Due to the physical and sometimes hands-on nature of their work, personal trainers are vulnerable to misconduct allegations. SAM coverage helps protect against expensive legal fees and settlements if a claim does arise, giving you peace of mind for every session.
Is Sexual Abuse And Molestation Insurance Worth It for Personal Trainers?
Yes. Lawyer fees alone average $300 per hour. Meanwhile, an entire year of SAM coverage is just a fraction of that at $124 per year.
For $10.33/month, get priceless peace of mind and protection from expensive misconduct claims.
Chris Van Leeuwen | VP of Agency Development
Chris Van Leeuwen is the VP of Agency Development for Insurance Canopy. He has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since 1996.
Because he strongly believes in the importance of helping business owners understand their insurance coverage, Chris uses his wealth of experience to offer insights to small business owners across the country who are looking to navigate business liability insurance.
Chris Van Leeuwen is the VP of Agency Development for Insurance Canopy. He has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since 1996.
Because he strongly believes in the importance of helping business owners understand their insurance coverage, Chris uses his wealth of experience to offer insights to small business owners across the country who are looking to navigate business liability insurance.