Thread: Liability Insurance

How do you get it, how much does it cost, do you roll it into your homeowner's or is it a separate business insurance, and do you hold liability insurance even if you don't teach? Since I dance with fire & sword, it's probably something I should consider (I guess we all should). I just also submitted a proposal to teach a non-credit course here in town at the University. IF it were to be accepted, I'd probably be covered by the University, but might not be, depending on the location of the class.

My mom teaches fitness classes at gyms and the Y, and says that even though you are covered under their insurance, its a must to have your own as well. You never know how ugly things could get in court, and someone could come after YOU as well as the facility. Its not worth losing everything you have.

I know that she has a fitness certification through NETA, and she told me that you can get discounted rates with those types of organizations. She is not available today, so, unfortunately, I cant find out what she is paying (she told me once, and it was NOT alot, but I really cant recall the rate).

Based on conversations with her about this, I would really recommend having this if you intend to teach.

Originally Posted by Sonja2

How do you get it, how much does it cost, do you roll it into your homeowner's or is it a separate business insurance, and do you hold liability insurance even if you don't teach? Since I dance with fire & sword, it's probably something I should consider (I guess we all should). I just also submitted a proposal to teach a non-credit course here in town at the University. IF it were to be accepted, I'd probably be covered by the University, but might not be, depending on the location of the class.

There are different types of insurance to get for teaching and performance. Your teaching liability insurance won't cover you for performances in most cases and almost none of them will cover you for fire performances. I only know of one agency that offers fire performance insurance: NAFAA

My teaching liability insurance costs around $250 per year, covers me wherever I teach, and covers all of the major types of liability. It is a separate policy unrelated to any of my other insurance policies. I think you could only have it in your homeowner's insurance if you taught from your home. Even then, I would think it might be better separate.

I have my liability insurance for teaching through Venbrook Venbrook Insurance Services - myfitnessinsurance.com - About Us. It costs $210 per year. However, it only covers teaching, not performances. It covers me anywhere I teach, which is important since I hold classes at 4 different locations.

I actually don't know of anyone who has insurance for performances, other than organizers who have taken out insurance for a specific event. I'd be interested to hear if there's a policy you can get that follows you from gig to gig, for an annual premium.

I have performer's liability insurance through these people: Sports insurance quotes, liability, accident

I purchased it after a few venues asked me if I carried it. Many catering halls require all vendors to carry their own liability insurance. For one party, I didn't have my own yet, and the client had to spend more money just to get event insurance so that I could perform. I felt awful! So, I found this place and purchase my own, and the next day I was booked for a wedding where the catering hall wanted proof that I was insured.

I don't have teacher's insurance, but I am going to get it and I will purchase it through Sadler. I also use them for my event insurance - I purchase insurance to cover my big stage-show student showcase each year. They are very quick and very easy to work with, I really like them a lot.

Originally Posted by laura 2

I actually don't know of anyone who has insurance for performances, other than organizers who have taken out insurance for a specific event. I'd be interested to hear if there's a policy you can get that follows you from gig to gig, for an annual premium.

I didn't even realize you had asked that question - yes, that is exactly what my performer's liability insurance does, follow me from gig to gig.

Originally Posted by danielabellydance

I didn't even realize you had asked that question - yes, that is exactly what my performer's liability insurance does, follow me from gig to gig.

Cool, I had no idea that was out there for performers! Thanks for sharing!

p.s. How much does it run you per year?

$200 per year, unless you make more than $30K performing. Which I don't......not even close!

My insurance covers me both for teaching and performing in any location, but also specifically covers my physical studio and my landlord is specifically named too. Million $$ coverage type deal. It costs me around $1000 a year...which works out to $90 a month for me. It covers me for dance classes, fitness classes, workshops, focus classes *AND* special events (like haflas, etc). I love the feeling of comfort that it gives me...totally worth the $90 a month.

I happen to have a good friend who owns an insurance agency, so I did everything through him....which was nice for my peace of mind because I'm absolutely positive that I'm well and truly covered and not getting fleeced.

Does anyone have liability for teaching and performing, but not for a studio (as mentioned by safiradokos)? I contacted Sadler, which offers both, but they don't discount if you get both through them.

I have liability insurance that covers me (as the sole owner) and my school for both teaching and performance. Basically, it covers my performances, performances associated with the school (like our haflas), and my studio classes for adults and children. (The studios I rent are named on the policy, as are the theaters & spaces we most commonly rent for workshops, haflas, and rehearsals.)

The other teachers who teach through my school get some limited amount of protection through my liability insurance--namely in that the school as an entity has liability insurance and the studios we teach at have their own insurance as facilities. (And if someone wanted to sue, that's probably where they'd look first.) But, as the teachers are not owners of the school, they are not personally indemnified. If something happened in a class they were teaching, there's a chance someone *could* try to sue them personally. For them to be fully covered against that, they'd have to have their own liability insurance.

Thanks Ladies. i've been meaning to get my own coverage for a while now.

I have Venbrook for teaching and am looking into Sadler for performing. Venbrook was EASY to set things up with.

Originally Posted by danielabellydance

I have performer's liability insurance through these people: Sports insurance quotes, liability, accident

I second Sadler Sports. I've used them to insure the Vegas Intensive, and they really have been easy to work with.

I use http://www.internationaldanceteacher..._selection=112

Great coverage and cheap. If you refer people you also get a $50 check! Almost pays for itself...

I use Francis L. Dean. Good coverage, follows you no matter where you teach (no charge to add or change studio locations) and it also covers & follows you as a performer as well. Takes 2-3 days, they'll email and mail you your proof of ins. and if you request them to, they'll also send a stack of Waiver/Release forms.

They were recommended to me by a studio owner here & so far I like them. Hopefully I'll never have to actually use them (but we all hope that, right?).