Why do first aid trainers need insurance?
Clients trust you to keep them safe during training sessions, but accidents and unforeseen incidents can occur. Here are some scenarios highlighting the importance of insurance for first aid trainers.
Claims of injury from your instruction
Although rare, a client may injure someone when providing first aid and they may claim that you’re responsible because your incorrect or unclear instructions led to the injury.
Unforeseen accidents during training sessions
People constantly move around during physical activity, and equipment is lying about. Accidents happen, and you could be required to pay compensation if the injury is serious.
Failing duty of care
You’re in the business of teachings other how to safe someone’s life. Everything that you do must be precise, on point and delivered to your best abilities. A client may accuse you of doing your job poorly and demand compensation.
Something you said is taken out of context
You often get up close and personal with your clients. Something you do or say to a participant could be easily misinterpreted.
Professional indemnity insurance for first aid trainers
Professional indemnity insurance for first aird trainers provides cover against issues such as an accusation of negligence, breach of duty of care or making a mistake.
First aid trainers provide critical advice and guidance. Professional indemnity insurance is an affordable safety net should the worst happen, and you need to defend a legal claim from one of your clients.
What does first aid trainer professional indemnity insurance cover?
Professional indemnity protects first aid trainers from claims or accusations of wrongdoing from their professional advice.
Cover includes:
- Failing your duty of care
- Making a mistake
- Acting negligently
- Giving the wrong advice or recommendation
For example, you may be facing financial demands from a client because:
- One of your studen misinteprets your instructions and injures another participant. You may be blamed and hold responsible for the damages. Professional indemnity insurance would be needed in this situation because the injury resulted from your professional advice.
- Being a first aid trainer means you spend a lot personal time with your clients. Something you say or do could be taken out of context and next thing you know your client is suing you for professional misconduct.
What professional indemnity limit do first aid trainers need?
The professional indemnity limit you need will reflect your particular first aid training activities. When choosing a limit, consider the contracts you sign (they often ask for a certain level of professional indemnity cover), how often you work, how many clients you train, and possible financial impacts if your training advice goes wrong.
Switching your professional indemnity insurance
You can no longer make claims against the previous policy when you cancel or switch your professional indemnity policy. If you change provider, ensure your past work is covered, called “retroactive cover”.
Should I keep professional indemnity insurance if I retire from being a first aid trainer?
It’s wise to keep your professional indemnity if you retire from first aid training. Claims against professional misconduct can surface months or years after you delivered the work, and if you have cancelled your policy, you won’t be covered.
How long you keep your cover in place is up to you; consider the type of work you did and the likelihood that a client might bring a claim against you.
Public liability insurance for first aid trainers
Public liability insurance shields first aid trainers from claims of injuries or property damage.
Because first aid trainers have regular face-to-face contact with clients and the public during their day, public liability becomes an essential cover.
What does first aid trainer public liability insurance cover?
If someone makes a claim against you for causing an accidental injury or property damage or loss, public liability will provide legal defence and pay compensation if you become liable.
As a first aid trainer, you might conduct sessions in a rented location or a park, possibly at a client’s premises. When you’re hosting a session and students comes to you to train, you’ll be required to see the space is suitably safe.
Cover includes:
- accidental injury or death
- accidental property damage
For example:
- A trainee suffers a sprained ankle during a class and pursues you for medical costs
- The owner of the rented location says that you or your students caused damage to their property and demands that you pay for it.
Other insurance first aid trainers buy
Other insurance you will need as a personal trainer will depend on your circumstances: Could you afford a legal dispute? How would you deal with a tax issue? What would you do if a client doesn’t want to pay?
Commercial legal expenses insurance
Most commercial legal expenses insurance will protect you 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 you in dealing with these issues. We call this Business Legal Protect, and it’s part of your subscription.
Business Legal Protect provides qualified advice and assistance with:
- Legal and tax matters concerning your business
- Criminal prosecution
- Contract disputes
- Unpaid invoices (over £200)
For example:
- HMRC investigates your tax affairs
- You need legal help chasing a significant unpaid invoice
- You wish to take a business partner or client to court over a breach of contract
Shopping for first aid training insurance
Whether or not you decide to use Suited first aid training insurance to protect your business, it’s worth keeping the following in mind:
Price isn’t everything
Some providers offer rock-bottom prices, but after-sales service could be lacklustre. Check how easy it is to get in contact with your insurance provider. At Suited, we offer several options and answer quickly.
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.
