Martial Arts Insurance
(Making sure your business is protected)
Paul Martin is the Director of Education and Development for Myron Steves, one of the largest, most respected insurance wholesalers in the southern U.S.
It goes without saying that just about any sport or discipline that involves aggressive physical contact and loud hi-yas will result in injuries.
As a result, martial arts studios and instructors have unique business insurance needs. And protecting your business and other assets properly from fires, theft, and lawsuits is critical.
Fortunately, our independent insurance agents are here to eliminate the hassle of searching on your own by walking you through a hand-picked selection of top insurance policies to cover both your business and your employees.
But first, let’s talk more about the protection you need and why you need it.
What is Martial Arts Studio Insurance
Simply put, it’s a way of protecting your martial arts studio property, employees, and finances. Now, all studios are different in a number of ways, but with the right collection of policies, your business can be protected from the risks you face on a daily basis.
Types of Martial Arts Insurance
Whether you already have a martial arts studio, are expanding, or are opening a new one, insurance protection is the best way to protect yourself, your staff, and your equipment. The most common types of martial arts insurance include:
- General liability: This provides the security of knowing that if one of your students is injured while on your premises, you are protected from the potentially excessive costs of a liability lawsuit. You can choose policy limits based on the size of your facility and number of participants.
- Umbrella liability: Some martial arts studios like to carry additional liability protection that goes beyond the standard limits. It’s typically very affordable and helps reduce your exposures.
- Workers compensation: Usually a part of any business insurance package, this covers medical treatment and lost wages for your employees that are injured while on the job.
- Property insurance: Provides coverage for the building and contents after a covered loss like a fire or severe weather. Keep in mind that severe weather coverage often includes tornados, but not flooding.
- Tournament coverage: This will cover your students and staff for on- and off-premise events.
Every insurance company has different products and limits for coverage. When you review your quotes with an independent insurance agent, they’ll help you understand all the differences and zero-in on the coverage that’s right for you.
Common Injuries Leading to Martial Arts Insurance Claims
Martial arts business insurance protects you, your company, and your family from the fallout that can come from injuries that happen in your studio, like:
- Concussions
- Head, eyes, ears, and nose
- Neck
- Extremities
- Skin
Many of these injuries are simple and will heal with time. Others, however, may linger and require rehabilitation before the student can resume the activity. In the most extreme cases, permanent physical damage can produce a life-long physical problem.
It’s important that you find coverage that will protect you from severe liability claims, but also where the costs aren’t such a burden that they weigh down your company’s future goals.
4 Steps to Reduce Martial Arts Injuries
There’s really no way to eliminate the risk of injury from martial arts training, but you can help minimize it if you:
- Insist on a physical exam with a sports medicine doctor prior to student participation. The physician should be aware of the demands of each specific class.
- Conduct training in accordance with recognized practices.
- Integrate warm-up and cool-down routines in every class.
- Maintain current standards for all protective gear.
It’s best to consult with a physician who is certified to deal with sports medicine. These doctors are up-to-date on the most common injuries and can suggest proper steps to help reduce them.
Martial Arts Insurance Solutions
Martial arts instructor insurance, karate insurance, or coverage on any other discipline is typically part of a well-conceived business insurance policy. Some companies have a great deal of experience writing martial arts liability insurance policies and others may not.
When you are shopping for insurance, keep an eye out for insurers who have high ratings with agencies like AM Best and Consumer Reports.
You may also want to see what consumer reviews you can find on the internet, or ask colleagues about their experiences insuring martial arts companies. From there, make sure that your agent understands the kind of company you're running and the risks you face.
Finding and Comparing Martial Arts Studio Insurance Quotes
Our independent insurance agents will review your needs and help you evaluate which martial arts studio insurance policy makes the most sense.
They'll also compare policies and quotes from multiple insurance companies to make sure you have the best protection out there. They'll hook you up — in a comprehensive and affordable way.
What's So Great About Independent Insurance Agents?
Independent insurance agents excel at matching the most appropriate policy to the business in need. Shopping around for insurance policies can be tricky, confusing, and time-consuming, and an independent insurance agent's role is to simplify the process.
They’re also there to help make sure you get the absolute best deal, and the one that meets your unique needs. They shop and compare insurance quotes for you, and they'll break down all the jargon so that you understand exactly what you're getting.