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We are researching liability insurance for a dance studio we are considering renting. Has anyone used Venbrook Insurance Services (www.myfitnessinsurance.com/index.htm) They specialize in liability insurance for "physical fitness professionals" including dance teachers. The premiums seem very reasonable, actually much lower than other quotes we have gotten locally (covers both studio "slip on a banana peel" as well as dance class injuries). Just wondering if it is too good to be true???
Anyone have any input on this or other liability insurance options?
Anyone have any input on this or other liability insurance options?
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New Hampshire
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Fri, March 24, 2006 - 11:42 AMPersonally, I carry insurance from the International Dance Teachers Association
www.imagroup.com . Very nice people who explained everything to me and why their rates are so much less expensive than other companies. They processed my application and within 2 weeks, I had all my paperwork and was insured. -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Wed, August 22, 2007 - 7:46 AMdoes anyone know why the imagroup.com link takes me to a page for massage therapy? I didn't see anything regarding insurance! Any updates on currently available insurance? -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Wed, August 22, 2007 - 10:08 AMIf you look down on the left under the listed divisions there is one for dance teachers. Or you could use this link
www.internationaldanceteachersassociation.com
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Fri, March 24, 2006 - 11:42 AMI haven't heard of them myself but they sound okay. I work in the insurance business and whatever company you decide to go with, make sure you read the policy and check on the EXCLUSIONS. The premium may be a good price but you want to make sure that the things you want covered aren't exluded. If you've been comparing companies, check out the exclusions for each and see how they compare.
The dance studio will most likely request that you list them as an additional insured on the policy. That's in case if someone gets injured in your class and they try to see the landlord, the landlord would just turn over the case to your insurance company for indemnification and defense. You will most likely see that clause in your lease agreement. -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Sat, March 25, 2006 - 4:48 AMNorma, as you work in the insurance industry, it would be SO helpful if you were able to list things that we should look for IN a policy.
You mentioned exclusions...what exclusions should we be aware of? What things should a basic policy have?
Any ideas on cost? What is too much...what's not enough?
Thank you!
Gia -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Mon, March 27, 2006 - 9:51 AMThat is so fact specific it's hard to answer. But for example, if you travel and do seminars etc. you wouldn't want a policy that would only cover injuries at a designated premises.
Another thing to look at is to see if the policy has an optional med pay provision. This is usually offered for an extra premium price and allows the insured to pay the medicals of an injured person up to a certain dollar amount without regard to liabilty. For example somebody trips over their own feet while learning to spin and sues you. Obviously there is no liability here and I would certainly deny the claim. But if the med bill is only $100, some insured's would rather just pay it rather than go through a lawsuit or a have a claim drag on.
I looked at myfitnessinsurance.com. They list the following as their exclusions:
These are typical exclusions to be found in any liability policy. Nothing here to raise red flag.
MAJOR EXCLUSIONS OF LIABILITY PROGRAMS
Dishonest, fraudulent or criminal acts or omissions.
Ownership, maintenance, operation, uses, entrustment, loading or unloading of any vehicle, mobile equipment, watercraft or aircraft.
Workers Compensation, Disability Benefits, or Unemployment Compensation Laws any similar law
Any Securities Act or the Employees Retirement and Security Act of 1974 or amendment, or additions thereto.
Absolute Pollution
Punitive Damages
First Party Property
Assault and Battery
Asbestos
Lead Contamination
Discrimination
Designated Products
Sexual Abuse
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Mon, April 3, 2006 - 6:17 PMIDEA
is another source for exercise instructor/program leader insurance..
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Fri, March 24, 2006 - 11:55 AMI have been with myfitnessinsurance.com for two years now. Of course, one can't judge the real fortitude of any insurance company until they need to call on them, but I did have a friend "in the know" investigate, and their insurance is actually under the umbrella of a large, well-known, and trustworthy larger insurance company (please don't ask, I don't remember now, two years later), so they are legit! -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Fri, March 24, 2006 - 12:11 PMHi...I have a question about myfitnesscom. Sharon, maybe you can help?
I purchased a liability insurance policy with myfitnessinsurance.com several months ago. Did they ever send you a statement confirming they received your money? Did they ever send you a booklet explaining your coverage? Did you ever get anything from them at all?
I have tried calling them about this. I think the only thing they did besides take my money was sell my name to other lists, and now I get every possible piece of dance junk mail imaginable. Is there something else I should be doing? I guess I will keep trying?
thanks!!!!! -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Fri, March 24, 2006 - 12:43 PMI doubt it was myfitnessinsurance that sold your name. I don't get any of the junk mail you describe. However, within a couple weeks I received my certificat in the mail, with details of my coverage and contact information. So you need to contac tthem and figure out what's what! YIKES! -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Wed, March 29, 2006 - 10:28 AMShay, you inspired me to finally get insurance! Even though I don't own or operate my own studio, teaching insurance is an expense that I definitely can afford! Thank you! :) -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Wed, March 29, 2006 - 10:39 AMYou are so welcome! ;)
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Fri, March 31, 2006 - 8:29 AMIf you go to the link for their home page and click on the FAQ's...#11 is quite specific:
11. UPON PAYMENT APPROVAL YOU WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR ADDITIONAL INSURED AND/OR PART/TIME INSTRUCTOR.
This seems pretty clear to me that you should have already received the certificate. Shay is RIGHT! You might want to stay ON them and find out what's what!?!?
Hope this helps.
Evelyn-Sahara
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Fri, March 24, 2006 - 2:58 PMThank you, ladies! Very helpful! -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Sat, March 25, 2006 - 4:55 AMDo they also offer insurance oversees? -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Sat, March 25, 2006 - 10:31 AMI think Venbrook Insurance (www.myfitnessinsurance.com) only covers the U.S. and territories. Don't know about others ...
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Wed, March 29, 2006 - 11:19 PMI am a Personal Trainer who subcontracts through various studios in Sacramento. Most of us go through CM Meyers (find them through www.idea.com). They are inexpensive but totally established! -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Thu, March 30, 2006 - 7:22 AMI couldn't find any reference to CM Meyers under that link?? -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Thu, August 24, 2006 - 6:16 PMIdea was also recommended to me as reasonable.
They're website
www.ideafit.com/membership...surance.asp
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Fri, August 25, 2006 - 11:55 AMYes, I've been using them for 3 years. No problems, good rates, they are easy to get in touch with, and the coverage is good too.
Taaj
thebellydancetrainer.com -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Wed, February 14, 2007 - 12:23 PMI was all set to go with Venbrook but after Lisa's experience, now I am afraid to. I looked at IDEA but I do not have any of their certifications so it would cost the $232 (+) the $89 per year. That is a lot more compared to Venbrook.
Yet, I see that Shay and Taaj had good luck with them.
Lisa, did you ever get you policy?
Amarise
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Wed, February 14, 2007 - 2:04 PMWe ended up going with Venbrook and got our policy quickly in the mail if that helps... -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Thu, February 15, 2007 - 8:07 AMThis may be a silly question but... should you still ask students to sign a waiver even if you have instructor's insurance? -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Thu, February 15, 2007 - 9:22 AMi think that's a great question! i have never figured out why i have signed for some classes and others never ask you to.... -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Thu, February 15, 2007 - 9:35 AMI am overly paranoid about insurance since working at an insurance agency.... so, I asked my agent about it. He said that its a good idea to have your students sign a 'hold harmless' waiver even if you have liability insurance. The signed piece of paper may not hold up in a court of law but it will show that the student was taking the class of their own free will and knew what they were getting into.
Personally, I have liability ins AND have them sign a waiver. Yup.. paranoid! :) -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Thu, February 15, 2007 - 9:38 AMOh.. and fyi.. if you give classes out of a studio in your home, your homeowner liability insurance will NOT cover the studio and students. -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Thu, February 15, 2007 - 11:35 AMThanks for that info, Chelle! That was kind of my thought... that the student is at least acknowledging that they are opting to participate in a physical exercise, etc... cool.
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Thu, February 15, 2007 - 7:21 PMI have liability insurance through IDEA, *and* all my students sign a waiver. It's right at the bottom of the class registration form. This is what my lawyer recommended. "I acknowledge that with dance, as with any form of physical activity, there is an inherent risk, and I agree to release Latifa and [studio location] from liability for any claims arising from my participation in these dance classes." You're right, it might not stand up in court, but maybe it would make someone think twice about a frivolous lawsuit.
See, I'm paranoid too! ;-)
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Wed, February 14, 2007 - 2:20 PMI've been looking too...I hate having people sign waivers. What are the price ranges everyone is finding? -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Thu, February 15, 2007 - 7:46 PMDoes anyone here have Venbrook insurance and teach out of their home? I teach in a studio in my home, through the local community education program and my troupe performs at local festivals, so I need insurance that will cover all of those situations. I have been using esportsinsurance, which does cover everything that I do, but is much more expensive than Venbrook. When first looking into insurance a few years ago I found that some of them would not cover home studios.
Thanks! -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Fri, February 16, 2007 - 1:00 AMFor those of you that have "Venbrook"...I am also interested in if it covers you if someone at a workshop or class trips over something along side of the room...like a chair, table, gym bag...etc. What if they fall in the hallway outside of the room...that kind of thing. Also, does it cover you at parties if you bump someone that came up behind you in your dance space and you backed into them...or similar?
Thank you,
Amarise -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Fri, February 16, 2007 - 5:59 AMAmarise--I am pretty certain that this policy specifically covers teachers and not performers. As far as teaching in your home...it's possible that you may not be covered if it's illegal for you to do business in a residential area or your insurance agency insists that your homeowners policy should cover a student's injury if they trip or fall or get hit by a ceiling fan!...it's worth checking out!
My understanding is that the policy protects teachers should a student have an injury or accident in the classroom that is related to your teaching. If a student is negligent by, let's say, fooling around and she pulls a muscle...you wouldn't be liable. If she's out in the hallway and trips on a chair? The venue would be at fault for not providing a safe environment (...someone correct me if I'm wrong please!) and you would not be liable...unless you rented the studio space and had control over the surroundings and the safety of your students.
Gia -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Fri, February 23, 2007 - 10:33 AMFrom what I remember of my initial conversations with Venbrook last July Gia is pretty much dead on what they told me. We got the insurance for the studio itself (covers ceiling fans falling on people ;)) plus all the teachers (covers injury/accidents related to teaching). You can call them yourself and inquire about coverage. They were pretty responsive to me and I didn't have too much trouble getting someone on the phone. -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Fri, February 23, 2007 - 12:42 PMGreat- thanks so much!
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Fri, February 23, 2007 - 10:24 AMDoes anyone know if you can get liability insurance to cover an entire troupe separately from its individual members?
Thanks! -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Wed, August 12, 2009 - 1:45 PMDoes anyone here have property damage/protection required per their rental space?
My new studio wants to be listed as additional insured ( sure- no prob!), and a standard amt of coverage. BUT they also want $1,000,000 of property damage coverage!!! I was all set to go with K&K, but they only offer $300,000 at my really loved premium price!
ARGH!!!! -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Wed, August 12, 2009 - 4:00 PMHi Joy,
I just ran into this issue due to opening a studio and it turns out that myfitness insurance covers all of this AND allows you to add additional insured (up to 10) for no cost: myfitnessinsurance.com/genera...ies.htm
See myfitnessinsurance.com/additi...nfo.htm
Additional Policy Information
COMPREHENSIVE GENERAL LIABILITY
Provides premises protection for any claims arising from the facilities you own, lease or occupy.
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY
Protects you against claims arising out of rendering or failure to render professional services.
PERSONAL INJURY LIABILITY
Protects you against suits involving libel, slander, wrongful invasion of privacy, etc.
FIRE LEGAL LIABILITY $50,000 LIMIT
Pays for damage caused by fire for the facilities not owned but in your care, custody or control if you are proven negligent.
CONTRACTUAL
Limited to Leases, Easements Agreements, Sidetrack Agreements, Elevator Maintenance Agreements, or Indemnification of a municipality as required by ordinance.
HOST LIQUOR LIABILITY
Provides coverage if you are hosting a social event where alcohol is served and a claim arises. This does not cover someone whose business is the sale of alcohol.
MAJOR EXCLUSIONS OF LIABILITY PROGRAMS
1. Dishonest, fraudulent or criminal acts or omissions.
2. Ownership, maintenance, operation, uses, entrustment, loading or unloading of any vehicle, mobile equipment, watercraft or aircraft.
3. Workers Compensation, Disability Benefits, Unemployment Compensation Laws, or any similar law
4. Any Securities Act or the Employees Retirement and Security Act of 1974 or amendment, or additions thereto.
5. Absolute Pollution
6. Punitive Damages
7. First Party Property
8. Assault and Battery
9. Asbestos
10. Lead Contamination
11. Discrimination
12. Designated Products
13. Sexual Abuse
PLEASE NOTE:
This is a general liability policy only. There is no medical coverage. -
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Venbrook...
Wed, August 12, 2009 - 4:44 PMThey had studio size exclusions last year, so we went with a local agent and are doing fine.
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Taaj recommended Venbrook last winter
Sat, April 7, 2007 - 1:43 PMand Ruric needed insurance as a teacher, and they were one of the few willing to quote on teaching, not studio ownership, so we decided to go with them. However, problems have arisen.. .They seem to be going through a transition - they have switched underwriters, or whatever they are called, and the new one has different rules and allows different options, and they are transitioning from one computer system to another so sometimes one hand doesn't know what the other is doing. For instance, there was a problem with a payment, whcy is unclear, and they did not notify us promptly. Then the insurance company for one of the studios Ruric teaches at decided they didn't like the kind of policy Venbrook offers - and Venbrook cannot offer the kind of policy the studio insurance company wants because of new underwriter rules. Long and short of it is, I think we're in a situation where each insurance company is trying to minimize its exposure, AND Venbrook is undergoing major changes, AND we didn't know enough about insurance to get agreement from the studio that what we was buying is what was needed. Must say the people at Venbrook are consistently helpful and polite - when you can get hold of them - maybe folks left/were laid off during transition.... Anyway, back in the market for insurance of the 'right' kind, unless the studio insurance company relents... the owner even offered to add us as additional insured but somehow that was not ok! -
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Re: Taaj recommended Venbrook last winter
Mon, April 23, 2007 - 11:59 AMHas anyone had someone actually file a claim?
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Mon, April 23, 2007 - 12:40 PMdoes anybody know where one can get inexpensive insurance for a drummer (and drumming teacher) ?
venbrook only covers kindergarten music teachers! -
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Re: Liability Insurance for Dance Teachers
Wed, August 12, 2009 - 6:22 PMThe international dance teacher association does seem to be a good insurance company for dance classes--- not may people have them , huh?
They seem very clear cut and affordable!
Katie-- maybe theres a music teacher association? um.... someone trying to nail you for a bruised a pal or tympanic membrane? :)
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