Asanas and pranayama you know. General or professional liability insurance, maybe not. Our yoga insurance guide explains what this coverage is, why you need it, and how to secure the right policy quickly, so you can feel centered before your next class.
The Basics of Yoga Teacher Insurance
If making sense of yoga liability insurance feels like practicing a wobbly crow pose with no support, you’re not alone. Our guide to yoga insurance meets you where you’re at. Let’s start with the essentials.
What Is Yoga Liability Insurance?
Yoga instructor insurance is designed to protect you from financial loss associated with your work as a yoga teacher. It can help pay for things like student injuries or property damage that happen as a result of your work.
Insurance Canopy offers this type of coverage for your profession. It’s known as liability insurance and applies to incidents affecting people (and their property) that are not a part of your business.
Liability insurance covers third parties.
First party = You.
Third parties = Not you.
(Second party = Us, your insurance company)
Yoga liability insurance can help pay for medical bills, claims, or lawsuits that may be brought against you. It provides peace of mind and helps you meet gym, studio, and other insurance requirements.
Common Yoga Instructor Insurance Requirements
Most studios, gyms, and other spaces require you to carry general and professional liability insurance to work there. They typically ask for your Certificate of Insurance (COI) and require that you add their facility as an additional insured on your policy.
General Liability Insurance
General liability insurance is designed to cover third-party bodily injury and property damage claims arising out of your work.
Bodily injury refers to incidents such as a client slipping on water in your yoga space and injuring their knee. Property damage applies to things like cracking a studio mirror or dropping a kettlebell on a client’s phone.
Professional Liability Insurance
Professional liability insurance is designed to cover claims related to physical or financial harm your professional services or advice cause to a client.
Professional liability insurance is also called errors and omissions (E&O) insurance.
Additional Insureds
An additional insured (AI) is another person, business, or entity that could be held responsible for accidents you caused.
For example, a student gets hurt during your hot yoga class, so they sue both you and the studio where the class took place. If the studio is named on your policy as an additional insured, your coverage may also extend to them.
Additional insureds can be: an employer, landlord, studio manager, gym owner, event manager, city, and others.
Additional insureds cannot be: friends, family members, your employee, coworkers, and other teachers.
How Much Does Yoga Liability Insurance Cost?
The cost of yoga liability insurance from Insurance Canopy starts at $15 per month. Or, save nearly 12% with an annual policy from $159 per year.
You deserve high-quality coverage at every step of your yoga journey, which is why we cover student teachers under our standard yoga policy. As you earn your yoga teacher certification, your policy continues to flow with you at no extra charge.
How much does yoga insurance typically cost?
Insurance Canopy’s policy starts at $15 per month or $159 per year. Here’s a glance at a few other options on the market:
- Next Insurance: $444 per year
- beYogi: $179 per year
- NACAMS: $179 per year
- Alternative Balance: $269 per year
Learn more about the top yoga teacher insurance providers to find the right policy for you.
Types of Yoga Insurance Coverage to Consider
While general and professional liability make up the base of most yoga insurance policies, additional coverage types help cover you for various risks associated with wellness professions.
These coverages are included in your Insurance Canopy yoga instructor policy:
- General Liability: For physical injuries or accidents that harm others and take place in the space where you teach
- Products-Completed Operations: For physical injury or property damage caused by a product during or after your class, like a faulty strap that snaps and hurts a student
- Personal and Advertising Injury: For non-physical harm or damage; typically applies to things like invasion of privacy, libel, slander, and copyright infringement
- Professional Liability: For injuries or damages to others caused by your professional services, advice, or instructions
- Damage to Rented Premises: For damages to a space you rent for teaching yoga
- Medical Expense Limit: For the medical bills of someone who was injured in or around your class, regardless of fault
These coverages are available as optional add-ons:
- Gear & Equipment Coverage: For help replacing items you use to teach classes and run your business in the case of damage or theft; applies to things like mats, blocks, and filming equipment used for online and virtual classes
- Cyber Liability: For help with the cost of lawsuits, damages, and restitution that result from a cyber attack on your business where personal and private information is stolen
- Diet & Nutrition Coverage: For nutrition services you may offer, like general diet education or meal plan examples
- Sexual Abuse & Molestation (SAM) Insurance: Coverage for defense costs if you’re wrongly accused of sexual harassment or improper conduct, like a client accusing you of touching them inappropriately while correcting their form
Do yoga instructors need commercial property insurance?
If you own a yoga studio, you may need commercial property insurance, coverage for your business’ physical structure and the contents within. Insurance Canopy doesn’t currently offer this as a ready-to-buy option, but you can still protect your movable yoga gear with our Gear & Equipment Coverage add-on!
What Does Yoga Insurance Cover and Not Cover?
Here are some examples of what your policy is designed to cover — and what it’s not.
| Claim Scenario | Can Your Policy Cover It? |
|---|---|
|
A student trips and falls in class because it was too crowded, and they decide to sue you |
✅ Yes |
|
You accidentally cause a student’s shoulder to dislocate while guiding them into a pose, and they need medical attention |
✅ Yes |
|
A student accuses you of exacerbating their carpal tunnel syndrome due to your prolonged asanas in class |
✅ Yes |
|
A resistance band slips out of a student’s grasp and shatters a mirror, and the studio wants you to pay for the replacement |
✅ Yes |
|
You get injured while teaching a class and need physical therapy |
❌ No (requires a first-party health insurance or workers comp policy) |
|
You sub for another instructor’s stand-up paddle (SUP) board yoga class; someone falls off their board and cuts their foot on coral |
❌ No (many yoga insurance policies don’t cover SUP yoga) |
|
A pipe bursts in a studio space you’re renting, causing flooding |
❌ No (liability insurance doesn’t cover this, but commercial property might) |
Common Risks Involved with Teaching Yoga
Teaching yoga, like any physical activity, involves certain risks. Some of the most common include:
- Physical injuries to students: Yoga involves physical movement, so there’s always a chance a student might strain a muscle, slip, fall, or experience other injuries
- Overexertion or incorrect form: Students might overexert themselves or practice poses incorrectly outside of class; you could be held liable if a student believes your guidance led to their injuries
- Injuries from adjustments: When you assist students in achieving the correct posture or a deeper stretch, there’s a risk of injury, especially if the student has physical limitations
- Health risks: Yoga might not be suitable for everyone, especially those with certain health conditions; if your class worsens their condition or triggers a medical event, you could be held responsible even if you didn’t know about the condition
- Property damages: If a class is conducted in a rented space or studio, any accidental damage to the property during the session could become your financial responsibility
- Legal and financial risks: This includes things like breach of contract (not fulfilling agreements or promises you made), defamation (libel, slander), or other legal issues that can occur while running a yoga business
These risks are why every yoga instructor needs liability insurance. They’re also why you should require a health history form and a yoga liability waiver from every student.
In addition, it’s smart to perform regular yoga risk assessments to ensure your students are ready to practice yoga and that your space is safe for class.
What Risks Do Yoga Instructors Face When Teaching Online?
You face the same risks as an in-person studio instructor when teaching yoga virtually or through prerecorded videos online.
It doesn’t matter if you teach virtually or in person — once you accept money for your instruction, you’re running a business, and you’re exposed to the risks that come with it.
Do I need insurance if I teach yoga at home or online?
Yes, you do! And you need the same coverages that you would to teach yoga in person.
Insurance Canopy yoga insurance covers you for both virtual and in-person instruction.
Navigating Yoga Insurance Claims
It doesn’t take a drastic mishap on your part to cause an injury that triggers a claim or lawsuit. Some real claims that made headlines involved a rogue iguana and an out-of-control car.
While we hope you never have to file a claim, we’re here to help when you do. If there is an injury in class, or you experience another event that could turn into a claim, here are some tips to help you handle it.
- If there is a serious injury, call 911 or an appropriate medical care provider — if necessary, provide first aid or CPR
- If there was a crime, file a police report
- Document the incident with as much detail as possible
- Date and time of incident or loss
- Location of the incident, and any other relevant environmental details
- If appropriate, take photos of the location, damages, and/or bodily injuries as a result of the incident
- Names and contact information of everyone involved, as well as witnesses and first responders
- Notify your insurance company as soon as possible and/or file a claim
How to File a Yoga Insurance Claim
If you need to file a claim, you can do so online from your online customer dashboard at any time. Here’s what to do:
- Gather all necessary information and paperwork
- If possible, have a police report ready outlining a theft or incident
- Log in to your online account
- Locate the “Manage Policies” section and click on “File A Claim”
- Fill out the necessary info and submit your claim
Our team will reach out within 24-48 hours to confirm we have received your claim and are working on it.
Then, your claims adjuster will contact you and provide your claim number. You’ll be able to ask them questions, and they may ask for additional information, such as photos or receipts.
Depending on the claim, it can take a few weeks to a few months to resolve. Be sure to keep a copy of your claim and any related documents.
How to Choose the Right Yoga Insurance Policy for You
Follow this simple checklist to ensure your policy is the right fit for your practice.
✔️ Coverage limits: The industry standard is $2 million per-occurrence (the most your policy will pay for a single claim) and $3 million aggregate (the total your policy can pay over the full policy period). Insurance Canopy offers these exact limits so you can feel confident you’re covered against costly claims.
✔️ Additional insureds: If a studio, gym, or event requires you to name them on your policy, find out how many you’re allowed and how much it costs. Additional insureds on your Insurance Canopy policy are always free and unlimited — add them right through your online dashboard.
✔️ Price transparency: Many insurance companies require an obscure application process and offer a final quote that’s different from what they initially promote. Insurance Canopy’s policy is priced at a transparent, flat rate, and you don’t have to pay extra depending on where and how you teach.
✔️ Coverage add-ons available: Not every yoga practice is the same, which is why it’s essential to find a policy with customizable coverage. Insurance Canopy offers add-on coverages for your gear and equipment, cyber liability, and more.
✔️ Tailored to your fitness modalities: If you’re a student teacher, teach part-time, or teach more than yoga, check whether your policy accommodates how you work. Insurance Canopy can cover all of these yoga business models under a single policy!
See how Insurance Canopy stacks up against the competition: The 6 Best Yoga Teacher Insurance Providers Compared.
Benefits of Insurance Canopy’s Liability Insurance for Yoga Instructors
Insurance Canopy is committed to providing the high-quality yoga teacher insurance coverage you deserve with the following benefits:
- Meets or exceeds yoga insurance requirements
- Covers you for common claims
- Affordable, starting at $15/month
- Provides optional additional coverage, like protection for stolen gear
- Takes 10 minutes or less to buy online
- Gives you access to an instant certificate of insurance (COI)
- Offers annual and monthly payment options
- Covers you in multiple locations
- Covers over 40 styles of yoga
- Allows you to add unlimited additional insureds
- Automatic access to exclusive benefits
- Has a nearly 5-star customer service rating
- U.S.-based, licensed policyholder support
Insurance Canopy’s Yoga Insurance Coverage Details
The most your policy can pay annually for bodily injury and property damage claims occurring during your coverage as a result of your business operations or professional services. For example, someone slips in your studio or is injured during a workout you were leading.
$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
$1.33–$10.67/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–$12.50/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
Get Peace of Mind With Dependable Yoga Liability Insurance
At Insurance Canopy, we pride ourselves on openness and clarity throughout the insurance buying process. Our goal is to be your trusted insurance partner as you grow your business.
Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to the risks associated with your yoga instruction. Safeguard your business by purchasing your policy from Insurance Canopy today.
More FAQs About Yoga Teacher Insurance
Do Yoga Instructors Need Insurance?
Yes, yoga instructors need insurance to protect their businesses from liability claims and meet insurance requirements to teach at studios, gyms, and wellness centers. Carrying liability coverage also shows clients you’re a credible, professional instructor who’s prepared for the unexpected.
If I Teach More Than Yoga (Like Pilates and Breathwork), Am I Covered?
Yes, Insurance Canopy fitness business insurance covers 100+ fitness teaching styles, so if you teach additional modalities beyond yoga, you’re protected! Just be sure to list all the styles you teach when you purchase your policy and keep those details updated in your online account.
Is Yoga Insurance for Independent Yoga Instructors Who Teach at Studios?
Yes, yoga insurance is built for yoga instructors who work as independent contractors or who rent space at yoga studios, fitness centers, and other venues.
Since you work as a solo yoga instructor with your own business, you can be held liable for any accidents or injuries that arise from your classes. Yoga liability insurance is designed to help cover claims like these and gives you peace of mind to focus on your students.
What Is the Best Yoga Insurance?
The best yoga insurance for your business should be tailored to your yoga style, have high coverage limits, and still fit your budget. Insurance Canopy covers over 40 styles of yoga with $3 million aggregate coverage, starting from $15 per month!
JoAnne Hammer | Program Manager
JoAnne Hammer is the Program Manager for Insurance Canopy. She has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since July 2004.
JoAnne understands that starting and operating a business takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and financial resources. She believes that insurance is the single best way to protect your investment, business, and personal assets.
JoAnne Hammer is the Program Manager for Insurance Canopy. She has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since July 2004.
JoAnne understands that starting and operating a business takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and financial resources. She believes that insurance is the single best way to protect your investment, business, and personal assets.
