Real insurance claims experienced by our sports and fitness instructors range from wrongful lawsuits to shattered equipment and chipped teeth.
You take safety seriously, but even the most meticulous personal trainer or sports coach still experiences accidents. One mishap could end up costing thousands, and without fitness liability insurance, you’d be responsible for medical bills, lawsuits, or property damage costs on your own.
Let’s explore seven real fitness liability insurance claims our policyholders have faced, along with the amounts we paid out for each.*
*All claim examples shared are for educational purposes only and do not guarantee coverage or payout totals. Each claim is subject to individual investigation as circumstances vary. Please review the coverage details in your insurance policy for details and exclusions.
7 Real-Life Fitness Insurance Claims
Accidents, by definition, are unexpected. And at the end of the day, it’s impossible to predict every possibility or control everyone else’s actions — as these seven real-life claims show.
Claim Example 1: Wrongful Lawsuit
The incident: A gym member named a fitness instructor in a lawsuit for an incident the instructor was not responsible for
The consequences: The instructor had to defend themselves in court
The claim: Assistance handling the lawsuit and defense costs*
The coverage: Professional liability insurance
The payment: $61,045 for defense costs
*To be covered the insured must not begin the legal process without the insurance company’s consent
Claim Example 2: Dental Disaster
The incident: A Pilates student accidentally hit another student during class while transitioning between poses
The consequences: The student who was hit suffered a broken tooth that required dental surgery
The claim: Payment for the student’s dental bills
The coverage: General liability insurance
The payment: $5,789 for the participant’s dental visits and surgery
Claim Example 3: Group Exercise Accident
The incident: A participant in a group exercise class tripped over someone else’s dumbbell and fell
The consequences: The participant sustained an injury that required surgery and recovery time away from work
The claim: Payment for the participant’s surgery, rehabilitation, and lost wages
The coverage: General liability insurance
The payment: $43,175 for the participant’s medical bills and lost income
Claim Example 4: Leg Press Lawsuit
The incident: A personal trainer was instructing a client on the use of a weight machine when the client got injured
The consequences: The client sued the gym and the personal trainer, claiming both were negligent and responsible for the injuries the client received
The claim: Payment for the client’s injuries and a lawsuit alleging negligence
The coverage: Professional liability insurance for the trainer, and coverage for the gym under the trainer’s “additional insured” endorsement.
The payment: $217,814 for defense costs and medical bills.
Claim Example 5: The Wrong Kind of Burn
The incident: A fitness instructor taught Zumba classes at a school where a fire broke out
The consequences: The building and the instructor’s room sustained smoke and fire damage
The claim: Payment for the Zumba instructor’s lost business property
The coverage: Gear and equipment coverage, also known as inland marine insurance.
The payment: $2,000 for the instructor’s business equipment.
Claim Example 6: Injury-Listed Athlete
The incident: A coach was guiding a client through an exercise when the client experienced a muscle injury.
The consequences: The client sustained a full muscle tear that needed medical attention
The claim: Payment for the client’s medical care
The coverage: Professional liability insurance
The payment: $9,812 for the client’s doctor visits and medical bills.
Claim Example 7: Snap, Crack, Shatter
The incident: An instructor’s personal training client was using a resistance band for an exercise when the band snapped
The consequences: The band hit a glass door, shattering it
The claim: Payment to replace the broken door
How to Reduce the Risk of Fitness Liability Claims
Minimize your risks of lawsuits and liability claims by following the best safety practices relevant to your field and the facility or facilities where you work.
Additional tips for reducing your risk of liability claims:
- Prevent client injuries by conducting health and movement assessments, emphasizing good form, and avoiding overexertion or over-training
- Have all new clients complete fitness liability waivers and health history forms before starting any new program
- Address potential trip, slip, and fall hazards — warn students/clients about fall hazards or remove them entirely if possible
- Ensure everyone in a group setting has adequate space to perform the exercises
- Perform regular equipment and facility safety assessments
- Be attentive and modify routines or exercises as needed
- Stay within your scope of practice
Stay Protected With Fitness Instructor Liability Insurance
Insurance Canopy’s fitness instructor insurance combines general and professional liability coverage into one simple policy. We make it easy for you to arm yourself with strong protection against common claims.
Our sport and fitness policies also cover a variety of disciplines, so you’ll only need one policy if you teach multiple modalities. Plus, you’re covered wherever you train (including online or in clients’ homes), because your Insurance Canopy policy goes where you go.
We also offer the option to tailor your policy with additional coverages, like:
- As many additional insureds as you need
- Gear and equipment coverage to insure your stuff against theft and third-party damages
- Sexual Abuse and Molestation (SAM) Insurance for defense costs if you’re wrongly accused of sexual harassment or improper conduct
Protect yourself and your business by making fitness liability insurance part of your routine today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports and Fitness Liability Claims
What Are the Most Common Fitness Insurance Claims Personal Trainers Face?
The most common claims personal trainers face* include:
- Slip, trip, and fall accidents: 50%
- Damage to personal business equipment: 25%
- Professional errors and mistakes: 15%
*Based on Insurance Canopy claims data from 2020-2024
Do I Really Need Liability Insurance Even if I Work at a Gym or Studio?
Typically, yes. You need fitness liability insurance even if you work at a gym or studio, because most facilities will require you to have your own.
Plus, gym and studio liability insurance is limited in what it will cover, and it may or may not extend to you at all — especially if you’re an independent contractor. Check with your facility before assuming their liability insurance will cover you.
What Is the Difference Between General Liability and Professional Liability Insurance for Fitness Instructors?
The main difference between general and professional liability insurance is their scope of coverage, or the circumstances where they apply.
General liability insurance covers incidents such as trips, falls, or other accidents related to your regular business activities. Professional liability is for injuries or harm caused by your instructions, advice, or negligence.
Will Insurance Defend Me if a Client Sues, Even if the Claim Is Baseless or Exaggerated?
It depends on the specific claim, but in most cases, yes. Your fitness liability insurance will pay for your defense costs if you are found not at fault for the incident in question. However, the details and maximum amounts it’ll pay depend on your policy limits, exclusions, and other rules.
