Sexual Abuse and Molestation Insurance for Teachers, Tutors and Coaches
What is Sexual Abuse and Molestation (SAM) Insurance?
Sexual Abuse and Molestation Insurance coverage is a type of liability coverage designed to protect you or your business from claims and allegations associated with abuse, molestation, sexual misconduct, or sexual contact.
Is SAM Insurance Required by Law?
SAM coverage, sometimes called SML insurance coverage, is not required by law, but it is recommended for teachers, coaches, tutors, and other educators. General liability and professional liability typically exclude sexual abuse and molestation claims, so teaching and mentoring professionals may want to add this coverage to their teacher liability insurance.
What Does Sexual Abuse and Molestation Insurance Cover?
- Attorney fees
- Defense costs
- Judgements
- Awards and settlements
What Is Not Covered by SAM Insurance?
Fines, sanctions, or penalties
The court may require those found guilty of a crime to pay these fees as a punishment or consequence of breaking the law.
Punitive or exemplary damages
These legal damages are designed to punish a perpetrator for exceptionally bad behavior or discourage similar actions from others.
Any amounts deemed uninsurable by law
Insurance can’t cover any costs we aren’t legally allowed to cover.
Prior knowledge of acts of sexual abuse and misconduct
As mandated reporters in most states, many teachers are familiar with this idea. Insurance won’t cover your financial responsibility for someone else’s sexual misconduct you knew about but didn’t reveal to the appropriate authority.
Indemnity of a perpetrator
Indemnifying someone means compensating them so they haven’t lost any money. Insurance won’t reimburse someone guilty of a crime for their financial losses related to that crime.
Employment-related practices
Hiring-related or workplace sexual misconduct (for example, discrimination or harassment during the interview process) will typically fall under an employer’s employment practices liability insurance, so it’s not covered by SAM liability insurance.
Assumed liability
Assumed liability is when you take responsibility and accept fault for an allegation without letting your insurance company investigate the claim and circumstances. From that point on, SAM liability insurance can’t cover you.
Prior and pending circumstances or claims
If there is already legal action or a claim for alleged sexual misconduct against you, this coverage won’t go back to cover incidents from before your policy started. That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead and be insured before an emergency.
As with all insurance policies, refer to your policy for exact coverages, limitations, conditions, and exclusions.
Why Do You Need SAM Coverage?
According to Consumer Shield, the national average attorney fee in 2024 was $300 per hour (although rates vary by state). On top of your base legal fees, there’s also the possibility of extra defense expenses like depositions, investigators, or expert witnesses.
These costs alone could be $100,000+, even if you’re not found liable. Plus, any judgment or settlements are above and beyond those defense fees. Without coverage, the cost of a sexual misconduct lawsuit could put many coaching practices out of business and leave some teachers looking at personal bankruptcy.
Who Needs Sexual Abuse and Molestation Insurance?
Sexual Abuse and Molestation Insurance coverage is vital for any educational business, coaching practice, teaching career, or private lessons that involve close personal interaction, both face-to-face and online. These include, but aren’t limited to:
- Traditional, full-time teachers like K–12 teachers and university professors
- Life coaches, including career coaches, relationship coaches, and other coaching practices
- Contract instructors like substitute teachers, afterschool tutoring vendors, independent contractors for tutoring businesses, and adjunct college instructors
- Independent tutors and teachers like private tutors, music teachers, meditation teachers, and other freelance instructors or studios
- Educational consultants like corporate trainers, professional development instructors, and continuing education teachers
- Educational business owners like learning center, training center, or tutoring and coaching platform owners
- Mentors like career, entrepreneurial, or academic mentors
Examples of Sexual Abuse and Molestation Insurance Claims
Online Math Tutor
Career Coach
Art Teacher
Private Piano Teacher
FAQs About Sexual Abuse and Molestation Insurance for Teachers, Tutors, and Coaches
Does my general or professional liability insurance cover sexual abuse and molestation claims?
No, general and professional liability insurance typically don’t cover claims alleging sexual abuse and molestation. General liability covers the risk of physical injury and property damage, while professional liability covers your teaching or coaching expertise and advice.
These coverages guard against a huge range of risky situations but weren’t designed to cover the risks involved in a misconduct claim. This complex and expensive risk requires specialized insurance and dedicated limits to ensure you don’t have gaps in coverage when you need it most.
What is the most common type of SAM coverage claim?
One of the most common SAM liability claims for educators and coaches is misinterpreted physical touch or body language. Many school, coaching, and training organization guidelines advise against unnecessary physical contact. Small supportive touches, like a hug or pat on the shoulder, and even hand gestures can easily be misinterpreted, even if a teacher or coach has the best intentions.
Is sexual abuse and molestation insurance worth it?
When a single allegation can cost you over $100,000 in defense costs, even if you’re found innocent of all charges, it pays to have SAM insurance just in case. We recommend that every teacher, coach, or educational business at least consider sexual abuse and molestation insurance coverage to protect their career. Think of it this way:
- SAM insurance costs $10.34/month at Insurance Canopy for a teacher or coach who earns a gross annual income of $50,000 or less.
- To put that monthly cost in perspective, that’s less than one bag of coffee or a big box of crayons.
- Over a forty-year career, if they experienced even one misconduct lawsuit costing $100,000, their SAM liability coverage would have paid for itself 19 times over.
Only you know what’s right for your business or teaching career, but if you need help deciding the best path, we strongly recommend consulting a lawyer or calling Insurance Canopy to hear more about SAM/SML insurance coverage.
Chris Van Leeuwen | VP of Agency Development
Chris Van Leeuwen is the VP of Agency Development for Insurance Canopy. He has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since 1996.
Because he strongly believes in the importance of helping business owners understand their insurance coverage, Chris uses his wealth of experience to offer insights to small business owners across the country who are looking to navigate business liability insurance.
Chris Van Leeuwen is the VP of Agency Development for Insurance Canopy. He has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since 1996.
Because he strongly believes in the importance of helping business owners understand their insurance coverage, Chris uses his wealth of experience to offer insights to small business owners across the country who are looking to navigate business liability insurance.