Do you want to know how much it cost to insure a boxing gym business? If YES, here are 6 best business insurance policies for boxing gyms. Martial arts like boxing entails working with your body, and that means your clients can get injured. Since these injuries may happen on your premises you risk being liable for any such incidents. Not only does the environment have to be safe, but you need proper certifications to teach boxing classes.
Why Do Boxing Gyms Need Business Insurance Cover?
Boxing as we already know is one of the most intense combat sports that exist. Two people are fighting competitively with gloved hands in a ring; showing enormous amounts of strength, endurance and will until the end of the match. But many myths are surrounding this sport, mainly about injuries and illnesses suffered by boxers during combat. Property damage and legal costs are also a concern when you are defending yourself from claims.
No one is exempt from going through these events, but as a ” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>business owner, you can protect your integrity or facilities with the appropriate insurance policy. As the owner of a boxing gym, having good coverage allows you to protect your coaches and affiliates in case of an accident during training or contests.
Even if you have your clients and members sign waivers releasing you from responsibility if they become injured on the premises, they can still sue you for injuries sustained while in your gym. This is why you need adequate business insurance. Your gym’s equipment also puts you at risk of being sued.
If the equipment malfunctions, or if someone uses the equipment in a manner for which it is not designed, you can be held accountable in a civil court of law. Likewise, if trainers under your employ cause an injury to a client, you are usually the entity that gets sued.
6 Best Business Insurance Policy for Boxing Gyms
Buying adequate business insurance and maintaining coverage for your boxing gym is imperative to the financial health of your gym business. The insurance you need will involve a combination of different policies that are important for your boxing business.
Even though the amounts of coverage and types of coverage will likely vary based on things such as the size of your gym, the services that your boxing gym offers, and the number of people working for you, the general types of insurance to look out for include:
1. General Liability Insurance
General liability insurance is known to provide cover for physical injuries and damage to property that are the result of your general operations, such as trip – and – fall accidents. Note that general liability policies also pay for advertising injuries, including defamation and damage to rented premises.
Even though these liability policies may start with $300,000 limits, you can find general liability with a $1 million per occurrence limit and a $2 million aggregate limit. Howbeit, per occurrence limit is the amount your insurer pays for each claim, and the aggregate limit is the total it will pay during the life of the policy.
2. Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Workers’ compensation insurance covers employees who get hurt while working for you. It pays medical expenses, lost wages, vocational rehabilitation, and survivor benefits if an employee dies in a workplace accident. Boxer, trainer or water carrier no one escapes the inherent risks in practicing combat sports.
For gym owners, it is imperative to have an insurance policy that offers coverage to damages that may be caused to your employees while doing the activities of the job.
Workers’ comp regulations vary by state, but many business owners need a policy the moment they hire staff—sometimes even one part – time employee. In some states, however, you don’t need workers’ comp insurance until you’ve hired a few workers, so be sure to check your states’ workers’ compensation laws so you can stay in compliance.
3. Commercial Property Insurance
Note that in all individual and collective sports, to be physically prepared to win, you need an excellent training facility. Gyms or sports centres have many machines, weights, and facilities that can, by accident get damaged by gym users. Also a boxing gym owner, you know the high costs of replacing equipment, machinery and even repair structural damage on the premises.
The Commercial Property Insurance covers you for sudden repairs of equipment and unpredictable circumstances such as theft or loss, fire, vandalism, and flood. Gym owners who rent their business space need a commercial property policy that covers any equipment, furnishings, or inventory your business owns as well as the structures and fixtures in your portion of the building.
4. Professional Liability Insurance
Most common athlete injuries registered are caused due to a bad stretching routine, which generates muscular and joint injuries. With Professional Liability Insurance, you will protect your business against any legal claim resulting from alleged malpractice or professional misconduct.
Professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions (E&O), covers your legal defence if you or one of your employees is accused of negligence, failing to meet professional standards, or making an error while providing professional services.
As a boxing gym owner who offer one – on – one training sessions, it is also imperative you consider getting a professional liability policy with abuse and molestation coverage, especially if those sessions are offered in private. Abuse and molestation coverage typically pays for the business owner’s legal defense if a client alleges sexual misconduct.
5. Medical Payments Coverage
Have it in mind that almost everyone who practices a combat sport gets injured at some point in their career, even more if you are a boxing gym or club owner. The Medical Payment coverage covers medical bills of injuries suffered at your boxing event or gym; no matter who is legally responsible for the accident.
Boxing as we already know is a physical combat sport, and there are many injuries associated with it — the most concerning being head injuries or concussions affecting the brain. But don’t forget that the impact of a punch can cause wrist injuries or hand injuries.
A swollen ankle, knee and leg injuries such as tendonitis and stress fractures can happen due to overuse or trauma. Medical payments coverage pays an injured client’s immediate medical or dental bills regardless of fault. It is usually a component of general liability insurance and, sometimes, it is optional, but it is important coverage for gym owners to get because it can keep minor injuries from developing into major claims.
6. Product Liability Insurance for Gyms
If as a boxing gym owner you decide to sell products, such as supplements, workout clothes, or fitness equipment, can be sued if those goods end up causing harm to consumers. Product liability insurance covers this risk for products sold in the gym.
Note that most Gyms in the United States have sufficient product liability coverage in the products – completed operations portion of their general liability policy. However, if a significant portion of your revenue comes from retail or you make any of the goods you sell, then you may need a standalone product liability policy.
How to Acquire the Best Business Insurance for a Boxing Gym
According to reports in the United States, the US fitness industry is valued at $27 billion, and drifting down further into that, boxing clubs and gyms have a market share of 1.2 billion. So, there is a lot of opportunities in the market at the moment, but it is also entails a huge pool of potential litigations. This is the more reason why getting the right insurance keeps your business protected and growing. The best way to acquire boxing gym insurance includes:
- Know Your Information
Right before you start looking or applying for boxing gym insurance, it is advisable to provide the insurance agent with some information about your business. Note that this information helps your insurer analyse how much of a risk your business is so it can set your premium. The more accurate your information is, the more precise your insurer is with your quote. The information to have ready include:
- Address and contact information
- Equipment you will be using with clients
- Products you sell or provide to your clients
- Claims history (at least the past three years)
- If you require clients to sign a waiver
- Criminal history, if applicable
- Certifications you hold
- Work With a Broker
When looking for boxing gym studio insurance, ensure to obtain quotes from various insurance companies. Note that this step can be a lot quicker if you use a broker who can shop different policies for you and find the best coverage at a price that works for you. An insurance broker can also help you choose policies and apply.
- Share All Your Business Operations
Have it in mind that you will have to let your agent know how you run your business so they can analyse the insurance you need. Most of those details are common to all businesses, like security measures and contracts. Others, nonetheless, are unique to boxing gym teachers. Ensure your agent knows about your certifications and classes too.
- Ask for Your Certificate of Insurance
Another crucial part of choosing the best insurance coverage for your studio is the ability to print a copy of your certificate of insurance (COI), a document given to you by the insurance company that confirms your coverage. COIs are typically required before you can begin teaching at a studio or similar facility.
Conclusion
The stakes of something going wrong at a boxing gym can be quite high. Don’t let accidents catch you off guard. Every boxing gym owner needs to obtain policies that cover their risks, including both supervised and unsupervised workouts with various machines and equipment.
Gyms have more risk than a trip and fall where clients may get injured in a workout or even suffer cardiac arrest on an exercise bike. A seasoned commercial agent can also help you understand how much gym insurance you need in the first place.
By working with an agent who understands the various nuances involved in running a Boxing gym, you can be sure that your coverage recommendations are legit and that the agent’s recommendations are made based on industry knowledge.