Working with clients to achieve their goals can be incredibly rewarding, but it doesn’t come without risks. Whether you’re working from your clients’ living rooms, the local park, as an online PT coach or renting gym space as a personal trainer or fitness instructor, it’s important to have the right personal training insurance cover in place. 

If you’re buying PT insurance for the first time, or in the process of renewing, working out the right business insurance for personal trainers doesn’t need to be a case of no pain, no gain.

In this guide, we’ll get into the details and key considerations you should make when thinking about and purchasing personal trainer insurance for your business.

Do you need personal trainer insurance?

Although the need for personal trainer insurance depends on your specific situation, the answer is essentially a yes. 

We strongly recommend obtaining PT insurance in all circumstances, especially for public liability and professional indemnity coverage. In most cases, getting insurance for personal trainers is crucial for financial and legal protection in the event a client makes a claim against you, or if you’re injured or ill yourself. There are other types and add-ons you can get to safeguard you further.

The only situation where a personal trainer might be already covered by insurance without having the need to arrange their own is if they are employed by the gym and their activity is covered by the gym’s insurance, both in terms of public liability and professional indemnity coverage. This is because businesses are required by law to insure employees under employer’s liability insurance by law. This protects you against claims made by your staff in case of injury or illness sustained whilst working under your employment. You’d need to check the details and if it covers PTs for public liability and professional indemnity. 

If you plan on working in a gym on a self-employed basis, many businesses now require proof of insurance before allowing PTs to work on their premises. Here are a few scenarios to consider:

• If you’re employed by a gym, review your contract to determine what insurance coverage, if any, is included.
• If you work at different gym facilities, you’ll want to make sure you’re covered for all locations.  
• If you’re a freelance trainer, it’s your responsibility to arrange your own PT insurance.
• If you work outdoors you’ll need public liability insurance

Why is it important to get the right personal trainer insurance?

Getting the right personal trainer insurance is important for several reasons. First and foremost, it protects you financially and legally in case a client makes a claim against you for incidents such as injuries, property damage or loss. Having the appropriate coverage ensures that you won’t have to pay out of pocket for legal fees or compensation.

Additionally, the right personal trainer insurance protects your business from financial losses due to damage, theft or loss of sports equipment you own. It can also provide coverage for loss of earnings if you’re unable to work due to injury or illness.

As a personal trainer, you have a duty of care to your clients, and having insurance demonstrates your professionalism and commitment to their well-being. Ultimately, investing in the right insurance gives you peace of mind, allowing you to focus on providing the best possible service to your clients. 

For these reasons, it’s well worth making sure you have up-to-date personal trainer insurance. Let’s take a closer look at the types of PT insurance you should be looking at. 

What types of personal trainer insurance should I get?

Public liability cover

Public liability insurance is one of the most important types of coverage for personal trainers. It protects you if a third party, such as a client, claims that you have caused them injury or damaged their property. For example, if someone falls over a dumbbell you put on the floor, injures themselves and then holds you responsible, your public liability insurance would cover you in the event they make a claim. This might be particularly important if you take on NHS GP exercise referral clients for example. 

Most gyms and sports centres require personal trainers to have proof of public liability insurance to operate on their premises. This type of coverage is vital for protecting your business from financial losses due to third-party claims.

You can usually get covered for high amounts by personal trainer insurance providers. For example, Insure4Sport and Protectivity both offer public liability cover options for £1m, £2m, £5m or £10m.

Professional indemnity

Professional indemnity insurance covers legal costs and damages that you may be ordered to pay if a client claims they have suffered injury or loss due to your advice or instruction, rather than something from a physical accident. 

For example, if a client suffers an injury whilst performing an exercise you instructed and alleges that it was due to your negligence or poor advice, professional indemnity cover would protect you against such claims.

As giving advice is a core element of being a personal trainer, professional indemnity insurance is a must in our eyes as it ensures that you’re protected in these situations.

Insurance provider Protectivity will provide professional indemnity cover that matches the level of your public liability. Insure4Sport provides £1m professional indemnity cover for free when you include public liability on your policy.

Employers liability insurance

This isn’t relevant for all PTs, but if you employ other people as part of your personal training business, you’re legally required to have employers’ liability insurance. 

This coverage protects you if an employee suffers an injury or illness while working for you and holds you responsible. Employers’ liability insurance typically covers full-time and part-time staff, as well as temporary, voluntary and apprentices.

If you’re a sole trader or freelancer and don’t employ anyone else, you don’t need employers’ liability insurance. 

Sports equipment cover

The kit and equipment used by personal trainers is often expensive. And as you know, accidents can happen at any time and gym kit can often break or need repairing.

Protecting your equipment is particularly important if you’re a mobile personal trainer, run outdoor bootcamps or fitness classes, or own a gym or training space. The cost of replacing damaged or stolen equipment can be significant, so having the right coverage in place is essential for minimising financial losses and making sure your business can continue running.

This is where sports equipment insurance comes in. Having this in place means you’ll be compensated if your equipment is lost, stolen or damaged. Insure4Sport will cover single items of sports equipment up to a maximum value of £2,500. Protectivity offers insurance of sports equipment up to £500 as standard, but you can get insured for kit worth up to £30,000. 

Personal accident cover

It’s not just your clients that you’ve got to think about. You can have an accident too – yes, even as a strong and knowledgeable personal trainer! 

Personal accident insurance provides coverage for a range of injuries. From minor ones, such as those that require physiotherapy or dental treatment, up to more severe accidents resulting in broken bones or worse.

It’s usual to have personal accident protection up to £50,000, which can help cover the costs of medical treatment and provide compensation in case of serious accidents during one of your training sessions.

Loss of earnings cover

Going hand in hand with personal accident cover is loss of earnings cover. If you suffer a serious injury whilst carrying out your insured activity, you might not be able to work or run your personal training business for an extended period, leaving you out of pocket.

Loss of earnings insurance provides financial support when you’re unable to work due to an injury sustained whilst working as a personal trainer. This gives you some financial security until you can return to work, covering your expenses and lost income whilst you recover. You can get an idea of how much personal trainers make here.

What activities does PT insurance cover?

Personal trainer insurance is designed to cover a wide range of regular activities covered by PTs working in various settings and going about their everyday job. 

Standard PT insurance should cover places such as gyms, health clubs, studios, community centres, homes, outdoors and online. Please always double check the details to make sure you know what’s included and what isn’t. For interest, take a look at some of the best gyms in Manchester, Derby and Glasgow.

In terms of the activities, most personal trainer insurance policies will include a list of covered activities in their terms and conditions. These typically include popular classes like zumba, spin, Les Mills, circuit training, weight training, functional fitness, dance workouts, cycling workouts and much more. 

As with the location settings, it’s essential to review the specific terms of your policy to ensure that all the activities you offer are covered. Some specialised or high-risk activities may require additional coverage or be excluded from standard policies.

How much does insurance for personal trainers cost? 

The cost of personal trainer insurance can vary depending on the level of coverage you require and the insurance provider you choose. 

At the lower end, premiums can start from around £50 for the year. Most providers give you the option to pay this upfront or via a monthly direct debit.  

If you want to add more cover to your insurance policy, it’s likely you’ll be paying well over £100 per year. It’s important to keep in mind that the more comprehensive your coverage, the higher your premiums are likely to be. However, investing in the right insurance is essential for protecting your business and providing peace of mind.

When comparing personal trainer insurance policies, consider the specific needs of your business and choose a level of coverage that offers adequate protection without breaking the bank. Don’t forget to review your insurance regularly and update your coverage as your business grows and evolves.

Does personal trainer insurance cover online PTs?

Online personal training is a thriving business at the minute. Insurance providers recognise this and now offer coverage for virtual sessions and online training. Of course, the extent of coverage and the specific terms and conditions may vary between insurers.

For example, Insure4Sport’s public liability insurance covers you for face-to-face sessions as well as online sessions. But if you provide training programmes for clients and don’t actually see them during their session, you’d need to be covered by professional indemnity insurance to protect you from any claims arising as a result of your advice for the session. In Insure4Sport’s terms, they won’t provide cover if all your training sessions are conducted entirely online without any real-time interaction or video communication with your clients.

To ensure you’re adequately protected, look for insurance policies that specifically cover online personal training sessions. Keep in mind that most policies will have terms and conditions you must meet to be covered, so be sure to read the fine print and adhere to any guidelines set by the insurer.

Key steps to consider when buying PT insurance

Here is our 4 step plan to follow when buying insurance for your personal training business:

1. Decide when to take out personal trainer insurance

It’s never too early to get cover in place as a personal trainer. As soon as your business is liable or exposed to risk, you should consider insurance. You could be exposed to risk even before you start taking on clients and running sessions. For example, if you’ve purchased exercise equipment, you may want to buy cover before you start trading officially. 

There is some flexibility in how you can set the start date for your personal trainer insurance. If you know you’ll need cover soon, or will be moving from another provider, you can buy your policy now and set a date in the future for your cover to start.

2. Pay attention to covers, limits and excess

Decide on the type of personal trainer insurance and how comprehensive you want your cover to be. 

You might want to consider specialised insurance if you offer specific services. For example, if you offer pre and post-natal training to your clients, you may need to consider medical malpractice cover. This protects against claims for medical negligence if a client believes they’ve suffered physical damage from a treatment or piece of advice you gave.

It’s important to only purchase covers that apply to your business in order to avoid overpaying for your personal trainer insurance. For example, if you don’t have any employees and operate completely freelance, you won’t need employers liability insurance. Whilst some insurers bundle up their covers, flexible business insurance allows personal trainers to tailor quotes to provide a policy.

If you’re renting space for your personal training activity, you may find that the owner requires you to have some level of cover in place to take on the lease.

Once you’ve decided on your personal trainer insurance coverage, you may also need to choose what limits of cover you require. Limits are the maximum amount your policy will pay out in the event of a claim. Choosing the correct limit is another way to make sure your personal training business isn’t over or under-insured. Generally, the higher the limit you choose, the more you’ll pay.

In some instances, industry bodies or associations will require certain limits of liability for you to work with them.

Lastly, you should also take note of the excess you are willing to pay within your personal trainer insurance policy. Excess is the amount you will pay towards making a claim. Generally, if you choose a higher excess, you may pay a lower premium.

3. Research your chosen insurer

Now you know when you want your personal trainer insurance to start and what cover you require, you’ll need to choose an insurer. Like with any purchase, there are a number of factors you should consider when selecting an insurer, and a little bit of research pays off down the line.

Here are some things you should check when choosing an insurer:

• Reviews – Reading reviews from customers like you is a helpful way to assess the strengths and weaknesses of an insurer, as well as gain an objective sense of how trustworthy and reliable the insurer is.
• Regulation – Insurers in the UK are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and you should be able to find evidence of this on an insurer’s site. The financial strength of an insurer will also give an indication of their ability to pay claims.
• Contact and support – It may be useful to understand how you can contact your insurer, particularly if you’d like the ability to speak with someone directly, as some providers only offer online options.
• Products – Some insurers will bundle up policies while others offer more tailored cover, so checking the insurer can meet your specific needs as a personal trainer is important. It’s also essential to understand any fees that may be applied if you take certain actions, such as cancelling early.

4. Provide accurate information about your business

Providing accurate details when setting up your personal trainer insurance policy will ensure your cover is relevant and can be relied upon in the event of a claim. To complete a quote for insurance you’ll typically need the following information:

Your business type – Is your business set up as a sole trader, limited company or partnership?

What your business does – What type of work do you carry out in the fitness industry? Are you looking for insurance for a personal training business or a sports massage business for example.

Your business turnover – How much money do you expect to receive for your work over a 12 month period?

Where your business operates – Does your work cover the UK only or will you be working in other locations too?

Your employees – If you have any.

Whether you have cover in place currently – and if you do, your renewal date if you know it.

There may be some other information required to get the right insurance cover as a personal trainer, depending on what your business does.

The importance of keeping personal trainer insurance up to date

Regularly reviewing and updating your personal trainer insurance is crucial to make sure your coverage remains valid. It also helps to make sure you’re not overpaying for your policy. As your business grows and evolves, your insurance needs may change, and failing to keep your coverage up to date could leave you underinsured in the event of a claim.

Some common changes in your personal training business that would require you to revisit your coverage include:

• Expanding the types of services you offer to clients
• Hiring new employees
• Launching into new markets or locations

These factors can significantly impact your insurance requirements, and if not reflected in your existing policy, they could leave you vulnerable to financial losses.

To effectively manage your personal trainer insurance, consider the following tips:

1. Set reminders to review your policy regularly, such as every 6 months or annually.
2. Keep detailed records of any changes in your business, including new services, equipment purchases, or additional employees.
3. Communicate any changes to your insurer promptly to ensure your coverage is adjusted accordingly.
4. Compare quotes from different providers at renewal time to ensure you’re getting the best value for your coverage.

By staying proactive and diligent in managing your personal trainer insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that your business is adequately protected, allowing you to focus on providing exceptional service to your clients.

What about insurance for your own gym? 

If you own a gym or fitness space, your insurance requirements will extend beyond the typical coverage needed for personal trainers. In addition to protecting your clients and your professional liability, you’ll need to ensure that your business assets, including the building and its contents, are insured too.

Gym insurance is separate from personal trainer insurance and is designed to provide comprehensive coverage for the specific needs of gym owners. Much like home insurance, gym insurance protects your building and its contents from potential risks such as fire, theft or damage.

When considering gym insurance, you’ll need to assess the value of your business assets and choose coverage limits that adequately protect your investment. This may include the following types of coverage:

• Building insurance: Protects the physical structure of your gym, including walls, roofs, and fixtures.
• Contents insurance: Covers the equipment, machinery, and other assets within your gym, such as weights, cardio machines, and office equipment.
• Business interruption insurance: Provides financial support if your gym is forced to close temporarily due to a covered event, such as a fire or natural disaster.
• Liability insurance: Protects your business against claims of injury or property damage made by clients or third parties.

In addition to these core coverages, you may also want to consider additional policies depending on the specific needs of your gym. For example, if you sell products like supplements or merchandise, you may need product liability insurance.

Remember, investing in comprehensive gym insurance not only protects your business assets but also provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on growing your facility and serving your clients.

Is personal training insurance tax deductible?

Yes, personal training insurance premiums are generally tax-deductible as a business expense. If you’re in the process of doing your accounting or filing a tax return, it’s important to keep this in mind.

All business insurance premiums are considered as an ‘allowable expense’ by HMRC, along with accountancy and legal fees. This means that you can write off the cost of your premium against your taxable income when completing a tax return, potentially reducing your overall tax liability.

To claim your personal training insurance as a tax-deductible expense, you’ll need to keep accurate records of your premium payments. This may include invoices, bank statements, or other proof of payment. When it comes time to file your tax return, you’ll include these expenses in the appropriate section of your return.

It’s always a good idea to consult with a qualified accountant or tax professional to ensure that you’re claiming all eligible expenses and maximising your tax deductions. They can provide guidance on record-keeping requirements and help you navigate the tax filing process.

By taking advantage of the tax deductibility of your personal training insurance premiums, you can reduce your overall business costs and reinvest those savings into growing your practice.

Recommended providers of personal trainer insurance

When searching for the best personal trainer insurance in the UK, it’s important to take the time to research and compare policies from multiple providers. One of the most effective ways to evaluate insurers is by reading reviews from actual customers.

To make sure you’re getting an unbiased perspective, it’s best to use third party review sites such as Trustpilot and Feefo. These platforms allow you to read reviews from verified customers, giving you a more accurate picture of the insurance provider. 

To give you a quick insight, Insure4Sport have a highly impressive rating of 4.8/5 from over 4,600 reviews. Protectivity also have a 4.8 rating from around 400 reviews.

When choosing a personal trainer insurance provider, you’ll also want to consider factors like:

• Coverage options and limits
• Policy flexibility and customization
• Price and payment plans
• Claims process and customer support
• Financial stability and industry reputation

By thoroughly researching your options and selecting a reputable provider, you can ensure that you have the right coverage in place to protect your business and give you peace of mind as you grow your personal training practice.