Why do dance teachers need insurance?
Independent dance teachers and instructors face many more risks than those employed by schools or studios. The nature of your job is a lot of contact with many people. That can sometimes lead to conflicts, no matter how good you are at your job.
Whether you teach only a few hours a week or make money out of dance teaching full-time, you should not leave yourself exposed to being sued.
Liability insurance for dance teachers usually consists of a few essential covers designed to protect you and your business against accusations and legal action arising from business activities.
If someone, your student or a member of the public makes compensation demands against you, your dance teacher liability insurance will provide legal defence and pay the compensation if it becomes due.
Failing duty of care claims
If, during a dance lesson, you step out of the class and someone gets injured in your absence, you may be accused of failing your duty of care and may be required to pay medical bills or compensation.
Accusations of negligence
Students, or your student’s parents, have certain expectations of you as a dance teacher. You are paid to teach but also to keep your students safe. You could be asked to refund or provide more work for free if your clients feel you’ve been negligent in your duties.
Loss or damage to property (for which you are responsible)
Dance instructors often rent third-party premises, and they’re responsible for it. Students who come to learn also expect their belongings to be safe. You may be expected to pay if something goes missing or gets damaged.
Medical expenses compensation demands following an injury
Dancing is an activity that can be physically demanding and generally takes place on your say-so. An injury can be an accident when one of your students trips over another one or something left on the floor. But it could also be an injury following your advice that may give rise to a legal claim against you.
Public liability insurance for dance teachers
Public liability insurance shields dance teachers from claims of injuries or property damage.
Dance teachers have regular contact with their students and members of the public. They also rent other people’s premises to deliver their dance classes. Public liability insurance for dance teachers is an essential cover that protects you from compensation demands arising from accidental injury or property damage.
What does dance teacher public liability insurance cover?
Public liability provides legal defence and covers a possible payout if you're found liable.
Cover includes:
- accidental injury or death
- accidental property damage
For example:
- Property damage is among the most common claims under public liability insurance for dance instructors. A good dance studio has a wall of mirrors. Students, especially beginners or those attempting advanced moves, can run into one of the mirrors and cause breakage. The property owner will likely ask you to pay for the damage.
- A wet spot on the floor from a spilt bottle or a towel lying about can cause a trip or fall, resulting in an injury. Some students might feel that it’s only fair that you should pay their medical expenses.
Professional indemnity insurance for dance teachers
Many instructors teach without professional indemnity insurance for dance teachers; this could be a costly mistake.
How? As a dance instructor, you provide advice on movement and exercise. A diligent student will practise at home on their own. That can lead to an injury. The client may feel you failed to consider their health and advised them incorrectly. Their physio or medical bills could be forwarded to you to pay. If you refuse, the client may turn their demand into a legal claim.
What does dance teacher professional indemnity insurance cover?
Professional indemnity insurance protects dance teachers from legal claims of wrongdoing from their professional advice or work.
Cover includes:
- Failing your duty of care
- Acting negligently
- Giving the wrong advice or recommendation
For example, you may be facing financial demands from a client because:
- Encouraging students to attempt more advanced moves can easily lead to an injury. That’s no accident if the student followed your advice. You may be held responsible for the medical bills.
- Parents of a child or the student you teach could demand compensation because you posted a photo or said something that caused harm. This situation could be career-ending if not appropriately addressed by a qualified legal defence.
What professional indemnity limit do dance teachers need?
The professional indemnity limit you need will reflect your particular business activities. When choosing a limit, consider several factors: how often you coach, how many people you work with, and possible financial impacts if your teaching advice goes wrong.
Switching your professional indemnity insurance
Typically, in the UK, if you cancel a professional indemnity policy, you can no longer claim against it.
Therefore, if you switch your dance teacher insurance provider, be sure your new policy covers your past work; this is called “retroactive cover”.
Should I keep professional indemnity insurance if I retire from self-employed dance teaching?
It’s wise to keep your professional indemnity if you retire from dance teaching. Claims against professional misconduct can surface months or years after you delivered the work.
If a past client sues you for damages and you have cancelled your professional indemnity, you will not be covered.
How long you keep your cover in place is up to you; consider the type of dance teaching you did and the likelihood that a client might bring a claim against you.
Other insurance freelance dance teachers buy
As a dance teacher, consider extra insurance for legal disputes and computer equipment. Plan for illness and its impact on your business.
Commercial legal expenses insurance
Most commercial legal expenses insurance will protect dance teachers against various tax and legal issues you may encounter due to your profession, which are not picked up by professional indemnity or public liability.
At Suited, we combined £100,000 of commercial legal expenses insurance with helplines and other tools to better assist dance teachers in dealing with these issues. We call this Business Legal Protect, and it’s part of your subscription.
Business Legal Protect offers qualified advice and assistance with:
- Legal and tax matters concerning your business
- Criminal prosecution
- Unpaid invoices (over £200)
For example:
- HMRC investigates your tax affairs
- You need tax or legal advice regarding your business
- You need legal help chasing a significant unpaid invoice
- You’re being taken to court for breach of contract
Dance teachers we insure
Suited offers comprehensive insurance policies that cater to the needs of a wide range of dance teachers, including:
- Salsa teachers
- Tango teachers
- Zumba teachers
- Ballet instructors
- Contemporary dance teachers
- Hip-Hop dance teachers
- Tap dance teachers
- Ballroom dance teachers
- Latin dance teachers
- Salsa dance teachers
- Swing dance teachers
- Tango dance teachers
- Flamenco dance teachers
- Irish step dance teachers
- African dance teachers
- Modern dance teachers
- Children's dance teachers
- Adult dance teachers
- Dance fitness teachers
- Dance competition teachers/coaches
- and more..
Shopping for dance instructor insurance
Whether or not you decide to use Suited dance teacher insurance to protect your business, it’s worth keeping the following in mind:
Cheap dance teacher insurance
When selecting a dance instructor insurance provider, it's crucial to take into account not just the cost, but also the caliber of their post-sale assistance. At Suited, we recognize this and provide numerous ways for effortless communication with our team.
The reputation of the insurer is important
Insurance needs to be there when you need it most. The payout reputation of an insurer is essential. Suited uses financially sound insurers with an A+ rating.
Many providers charge fees to amend or cancel
Low initial prices often hide additional charges to pay monthly, amend or cancel your policy. At Suited, we charge no extra fees, and you can cancel anytime with no more to pay.
Some policy wordings are restrictive or have a high excess
Some providers will offer attractive prices, but it is at the expense of cover given. Suited professional indemnity and public liability have £0 excess.
