Insurance for personal trainers

Do personal trainers need insurance?

In many situations, personal trainers are required to hold an adequate level of public liability insurance. However, there are additional business insurances that PTs may want to consider.

Public liability

The most common cover for personal trainers. This covers you if someone sues for injury, damaged property, or death due to your business activities.

Public liability insurance is often compulsory if you work as a contractor, for example within a gym, or at a public space such as a park.

Professional indemnity

Covers you if a client sues on the basis of poor professional advice or breach of contract.

Life insurance

Life insurance doesn't just pay out when you die. It can also cover a percentage of your income or pay a lump sum if you're unable to work due to injury or illness.

There are other types of insurance you may want to consider depending on the scope of your personal trainer business, including:

• Commercial property
• Business interruption
• Cyber insurance
• Business insurance

Do personal trainers need insurance if they're working from a gym?

Your insurance needs will vary depending on your particular employment situation. In most cases, this is what you can expect:

Direct employees - Insurance needs are usually covered by the gym.

Contractors - Will likely be required to hold an adequate level of public liability insurance at a minimum. Should consider professional indemnity cover too.

Sole traders - Will likely be required to hold an adequate level of public liability insurance. Should consider professional indemnity cover too.

Is it worth getting public liability insurance for personal trainers?

Public liability is an extremely important type of insurance for personal trainers. It covers accidental property damage as well as injury or death of another person.

In many cases, it's mandatory for working in particular environments. You may want to consider public liability insurance if any of these apply to you:

• You're a contractor, sole-trader, or self-employed
• You operate out of a gym or fitness studio
• You operate in public spaces, such as parks or beaches
• You visit clients in their own homes

Is it worth getting professional indemnity insurance for personal trainers?

Professional indemnity insurance is also important, but is usually considered optional rather than mandatory. You may want to consider professional indemnity insurance if any of these apply to you:

• You're a contractor, sole-trader, or self-employed
• You give exercise or diet advice to clients
• You guarantee specific results for clients

Expert insights

Expert insight

"I have professional indemnity to $5m and public liability to $20m. These are important to me for peace of mind, especially as nowadays as a group PT I see a huge number of clients in a week – it's very different to working with people one on one. The professional indemnity is there to cover me if I were to make a mistake demonstrating or explaining an exercise leading to someone getting hurt. The public liability covers me should someone hurt themselves under my care by falling over a piece of equipment – whether it's mine or even someone else's – a drink bottle left on the floor for example. Of course, I always do my utmost as a fitness professional to uphold my duty of care but accidents will occasionally happen even in the best run gyms and studios."

Nikki Ellis

Owner, Cinch Training

Expert insight

"While a personal trainer may not think their client's injury was their fault, sometimes a client may think otherwise and sue the personal trainer. This is why it's important for personal trainers to take out Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance to protect themselves, as the policy may help pay for legal fees in these scenarios."

Mark Vanzo

Founder, SMART Business Insurance

Expert insight

"I own a boutique fitness studio in Melbourne and employ full time, part time and casual trainers. I have a comprehensive professional indemnity and public liability policy that covers my team both in the studio and also if they are required to work outdoors. It's a substantial expense, but one you simply cannot be without. Professional registration and insurance are two essentials for anyone working in the industry."

Jane Kilkenny

Founder, Fitness Energy

Expert insight

"A major factor for personal trainers is protecting their ability to earn an income. As their job involves constant physical exertion, it's important that they have income protection and/or TPD to ensure that their income is protected in the event of a short or long term disability."

Paul Davies

Independent life insurance broker

FAQs

• How does insurance cover me for online or virtual personal training?

  Many standard personal trainer insurance policies can extend to cover online or virtual training sessions. However, it is crucial to review your policy wording carefully or speak with your insurer. Some policies may require a specific add-on or a different type of cover to address the unique risks associated with remote advice, demonstration errors or technical issues during virtual sessions.

• Do I need separate insurance for my personal training equipment?

  Public liability insurance typically covers damage your equipment might cause to a client's property or an injury it causes to another person. However, it does not cover damage, theft or loss of your own equipment. For this you would generally need a separate policy such as commercial property insurance or tools of trade cover, which protects your valuable gear like weights, TRX systems or dumbbells.

• What should I do if a client makes a claim against me?

  If a client makes a claim against you or threatens legal action, contact your insurance provider immediately. Do not admit fault or offer any compensation. Your insurer will guide you through the process, which typically involves gathering all relevant information, documentation and witness statements. Acting promptly helps ensure you comply with your policy terms and receive the necessary support.

• Does personal trainer insurance cover group fitness classes or bootcamps?

  Yes, most personal trainer insurance policies, particularly public liability and professional indemnity, are designed to cover group fitness classes and bootcamps. It is important to confirm with your insurer that your policy adequately covers the number of participants you train and any specific locations you use, such as public parks or beaches. Your policy should protect you from claims arising from injury to participants or property damage during these sessions.

• What happens if I operate without personal trainer insurance?

  Operating without appropriate personal trainer insurance leaves you exposed to significant financial and reputational risks. You would be personally responsible for all legal costs and damages if a client sues you for injury, property damage or professional negligence. Many gyms, councils and public spaces actually require personal trainers to hold specific insurance cover as a condition of use or permit.

Written by

Nicola Middlemiss

Journalist

Nicola Middlemiss is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience in personal finance and insurance. She has contributed to Domain, Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Insurance Business Australia, offering in-depth insights into commercial insurance in the Australian market. Nicola holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Leeds and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which complies with ASIC standards. See full bio

Nicola's expertise

Nicola has written 250 Finder guides across topics including:

• Personal finance
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