Overview
American’s preoccupation with fitness often leads to overzealous workout behavior, which in turn causes injuries that are expensive to treat. If the injured participant belonged to a fitness center, there’s a chance that she might sue the owners for damages. The Sports and Fitness Insurance Corporation provides liability insurance for fitness centers and independent fitness instructors.
History
Glynne Simpson founded Sports and Fitness Insurance in 1985. In the early 1980s, he developed his expertise by insuring the Nautilus brand of exercise equipment. Health clubs were opening up all over the country during this period, but insurance companies viewed these businesses as speculative ventures and refused to provide insurance. Simpson saw a need and filled it. The company now has offices in Madison, Wis., Mississippi and Memphis, Tenn.
Benefits
Most facilities require instructor certification, but despite these standards, accidents still happen. An article in the June 2009 edition of “Neurosurgery Today” features a list of the common causes of head injuries incurred in 2008. The authors cite lists compiled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which found that 14,713 head injured occurred at fitness centers. Likewise, sports medicine expert Dick Travisano wrote an article on the Sports Injury website that detailed overall injury statistics for various sport and recreational activities. Apparently, high-intensity aerobic dance causes 11 injuries per 1,000 participation hours. Some members might take responsibility for their own workout behavior, but others might not. Even if the instructor or facility was not at fault, a skilled lawyer can convince a jury of the instructor or facility’s liability. Sports and Fitness Insurance provides protection against financial ruin.
Function
The Sports and Fitness Insurance Corporation sells liability insurance to fitness franchises such as Curves, 24 Hour Fitness, Jazzercise and Crossfit, as well as insurance for independent personal trainers and small studio owners. Instructors with American Council on Exercise and the National Strength and Endurance Association certifications receive insurance discounts. They also have policies for sport-related organizations and instructors such as winter sport guides, cheerleaders and gymnastic centers. Coverage varies according to individual requirements, but ranges between $1 million and $3 million. Personal trainers can also apply for accidental medical insurance.
Application
Personal trainers and individual corporations can apply online, but in most cases large facilities will need to fax the application to the main headquarters. Their staff is efficient. Although it might take some time to receive your documents, if a job offer depends on proof of insurance, they will contact your potential hiring manager.
Considerations
If you work as a fitness center employee, you are covered under their policy, but independent contractors are not covered. Some organizations will not contract with uninsured freelance instructors, and many commercial property owners won’t rent space without proof of liability insurance. Many factors determine your rates. Selling nutritional supplements without a nutritionist license will raise your rates, as will having homemade exercise equipment in your studio.
