Health Club’s Are Now Able to Purchase Affordable Insurance Policies.

 Health Club Industry are Now Able to Purchase  Insurance Policies

USA Business is announcing that General Liability Insurance as well as broad  coverage insurance plans are now being written for all participants in the  Fitness Center Industry. At one time it was believed that these policies were  only available to actual full-service gyms and health clubs. Now affordable  policies are being written for single providers who offer their professional  services at a home studio. This could be a personal trainer, a yoga instructor,  Pilates coach, in-home massage therapist and other professionals.

General Liability Insurance can be written for these individuals as well as  the brick and mortar businesses. Plans protect the business owner or service  provider against claims, by clients who state they were injured while working on  the owner’s machines or slipped and fell in a wet area. Even if the owner being  sued is found not responsible for the injury, general liability insurance will  cover the legal fees. Some municipalities require minimum limits on bodily  injury coverage prior to issuing a business license or certification of  occupancy. Owners should keep abreast of these ever-changing limits.

Gym equipment is expensive whether it is present in a home office environment  or in a full service health club. Water pipes breaking, a storm causing a  ceiling to collapse or any damaging circumstances can render equipment useless.  Along with property damage coverage the smaller gym or individual provider may  want to include loss of income provisions.

An important area that service providers avoid even though it is a growing  concern is Abuse and Molestation Insurance Coverage. In today’s environment  companies of all classes are very sensitive to this issue and have Human  Resource manuals which cover appropriate behavior.  Although strict guidelines  are enacted to prevent inappropriate behavior on premise, it is important to  recognize that rules are capable of being violated by employees and clients  alike. Either way a lawsuit can not only hurt the establishment’s reputation but  can be extravagant in legal fees. These cases take highly specialized legal  talent as well as expert witnesses. Having this coverage under a fitness  center insurance policy will protect the owner or service provider from  having to cover legal fees and any settlements out of pocket.

Most states allow suits to be filed against club owners and supervisors of a  person who is accused of molestation alleging that there were not proper  background checks, on-site security or adequate supervision of the accused.  Establishments that offer massages, manicure and pedicures, body waxing and/or  personal training are especially vulnerable. What is surprising to many is that  humiliation, embarrassment and perceived threats allegedly suffered by a client  can fall under Abuse and Molestation Insurance Coverage.