Chapter 02 of 06 · Cover types

Yoga teacher insurance cover types, with claim examples

Professional, public and products liability, with worked claim examples.

Cover type 01

Professional Liability & Malpractice

Balens’ policy provides cover for allegations made against you for breaches of professional duty caused by negligence, error or omission. The policy provides protection against allegations of physical or mental injury as a result of the session provided. This could be an allegation that the session you provided caused a physical injury or made an existing condition worse. You could face an allegation that the advice or aftercare has led to injury.

In this scenario, the policy will provide cover for the defence costs against the allegations and will also pay a compensation award to a third party (up to the policy limit) if you are found to be negligent.

Ask yourself

Have you ever had a client say they were injured after a class?
Has anyone claimed they followed your instructions and hurt their back or worsened a condition?
Have you wondered what happens if a client says your advice or aftercare caused them harm?

Example

A fall while trying a new pose

Scenario

During a yoga class, a new member loses balance while trying a new pose and falls onto their side. The instructor immediately checks on them and notes the incident. The student says they feel fine and leaves the class with no further comment.

What happened next

Two weeks later, the practitioner receives a solicitor’s letter. The client alleges that the instructor failed to explain and supervise the class properly to prevent the accident, and that no aftercare was provided. They are seeking compensation for loss of earnings.

Would the policy respond?

Yes. It would provide a legal defence, including appointing solicitors and covering defence costs (within policy limits and subject to any excess). It would also indemnify the practitioner for damages and/or the claimant’s costs if liability is established or a settlement is agreed, subject to policy limits and terms.

*Hypothetical claim

Example

A hands-on adjustment

Scenario

During a yoga class, a new member is following the instruction led by the instructor. The position is downward-facing dog, and the instructor provides a physical adjustment to a student to show the correct positioning. The class continues as planned.

What happened next

The following evening, the instructor receives a text: “the adjustment you gave me while doing downward-facing dog has caused an injury and has significantly impacted my previous back issues.” They allege the adjustment caused their injury and aggravated a historic back problem, and confirm they are taking legal advice.

Would the policy respond?

Yes. It would provide a legal defence against allegations that the adjustment caused injury, including appointing solicitors and covering defence costs (within policy limits and subject to any excess), and indemnify the practitioner for damages and/or the claimant’s costs if liability is established or a settlement is agreed.

*Hypothetical claim

Cover type 02

Public Liability

As a health and wellbeing professional, you could be subject to allegations that you are legally responsible for causing injury, harm or damage to someone’s property that is not directly linked to the provision of a treatment. This could be claims that someone injured themselves while entering your treatment room, or that you caused damage to property during a visit to provide treatment.

In this scenario, the policy will provide cover for the defence costs against the allegations and will also pay a compensation award to a third party (up to the policy limit).

Ask yourself

Have you ever had someone say they injured themselves tripping over equipment you hadn’t yet put away?
Have you ever accidentally damaged someone else’s property?
Have you wondered what would happen if someone claimed injury, even though it wasn’t linked to your teaching?

Example

A toppled fan and a broken mirror

Scenario

A self-employed yoga instructor is teaching a class in a hired studio. While moving an industrial fan, it topples into a wall mirror and causes significant damage.

What happened next

The studio holds the instructor responsible for the damage. Two weeks later, the instructor receives a solicitor’s letter seeking payment for the cost of replacing the mirror.

Did the policy respond?

Yes. The claim is reported to the insurer under the Public Liability section of the policy. The policy responds and covers the cost of a new mirror, subject to the policy terms and conditions.

*Hypothetical claim

Example

A slip on a wet floor

Scenario

During a yoga class, a class member spills their water but does not tell the instructor or clean it up. A short time later, another member of the public slips on the wet floor and suffers injuries to their ankle and hip.

What happened next

The incident is noted in case the injured person decides to pursue a claim. Three months later, the instructor receives a solicitor’s letter alleging the injury was caused by the instructor’s negligence and confirming the third party is making a claim for compensation.

Would the policy respond?

Yes. The claim would be considered under the Public Liability section. Subject to the terms, conditions, limits and any excess, the policy could provide a legal defence — including appointing solicitors and covering defence costs — and indemnify the practitioner for damages and/or the claimant’s costs if liability is established or a settlement is agreed.

*Hypothetical claim

III

Cover type 03

Products Liability

As a Yoga Professional, we understand you may be recommending and selling products as part of your business. The policy includes product liability cover, which will protect you if you are legally liable for injury or damage caused by a defective product — even where you are not responsible for manufacturing the product.

In this scenario, the policy will provide cover for the defence costs against the allegations and will also pay a compensation award to a third party (up to the policy limit).

We are often asked whether the product liability cover includes protection for teachers’ personal belongings. It does not; you will need separate cover for your personal belongings and equipment.

Ask yourself

Have you ever worried a client might say a mat, block or strap you supplied was defective and caused injury?
Have you sold products like oils or balms, and wondered what happens if someone reacts because the product was faulty?
Have you thought about a client claiming a defective item you provided caused damage or harm?

Example

A strap that snapped

Scenario

A yoga instructor sells branded yoga blocks and straps to their students; they are not the manufacturer. During a class, a strap purchased from the instructor snaps under normal use while assisting in a hamstring stretch. The student loses balance, falls awkwardly and sustains a back injury, and brings a products liability claim alleging the strap was defective.

What happened next

The injured student submits a formal claim for compensation, including medical treatment costs and loss of earnings. The instructor notifies their insurer, who investigates the alleged defect, reviews purchase and supplier documentation, and may commission an expert report on the strap.

Would the policy respond?

Yes. The claim is reported under the Products Liability section. The insurer investigates and, when the product is confirmed faulty, the practitioner is found liable due to their role in the supply chain. The insurer would then likely seek to recover losses from the product’s manufacturer, subject to policy terms and conditions.

*Hypothetical claim

Yoga teacher insurance cover types, with claim examples

Professional Liability & Malpractice

A fall while trying a new pose

A hands-on adjustment

Public Liability

A toppled fan and a broken mirror

A slip on a wet floor

Products Liability

A strap that snapped

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