Many massage therapists are looking for affordable liability insurance to protect themselves from lawsuits and takes a look at the top benefits of liability insurance in this article.
What type of insurance is right for you?
If you are a massage therapist, you may be wondering what type of liability insurance is right for you. Here is a rundown of the different types of insurance that are available to massage therapists, and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
CGLI (Commercial General Liability Insurance): This type of insurance protects you from personal injury lawsuits arising from your professional activities. It typically includes coverage for lost income, medical expenses,
and damage to property. CGLI can be expensive, but it is often essential for massage therapists who work in high-risk industries.
Bonds: A bond is a financial guarantee that an organization will repay a specified amount of money if it fails to meet its obligations. Bond insurers typically require a down payment and an annual premium payment. Bonds provide peace of mind, but they can also be costly.
Workman’s Compensation: Workman’s compensation policies provide benefits if you are injured while performing your job. Coverage typically includes medical expenses, income replacement, and death benefits. Workman’s compensation policies are usually cheap and easy to obtain,
but they may not provide enough coverage for massage therapists who work in high-risk industries.
Types of Insurance
There are a few different types of insurance that you may need as a massage therapist. Below is a list of the most common types of insurance and what they cover:
1. Massage Therapy Insurance: This type of insurance covers medical expenses and damage caused by your clients. It typically covers you for injuries sustained during your massage sessions,
as well as any related medical bills.
2. Auto Insurance for Massage Therapists: Many massage therapists own cars and drive to work. Make sure you have auto insurance in case something happens while you’re driving to or from your massage session. This includes things like getting pulled over, getting into an accident, or getting lost while on your way to or from work.
3. Worker’s Compensation: If you’re injured on the job,
worker’s compensation can help pay for your medical expenses and lost wages. This coverage is usually required by most states, so make sure you have it if you work in a profession that could require it (like massage therapy).
4. Business Insurance: If your business is hurt in some way,
business insurance can help cover the costs associated with that injury (like
Liability Insurance Options
Introduction to Massage Therapy Liability Insurance
There is no question that massage therapy is a popular profession. According to the National Association ofmassage therapists (NAMT),
nearly 2 million people are currently employed as massage therapists in the United States.1 This popularity has led to an increased demand for massage therapy services, which in turn has created an increased demand for massage therapists who are properly insured.
Understanding Massage Therapy Liability Insurance
When you work as a massage therapist,
you may be subject to personal injury lawsuits. If a client suffers an injury during your massage session, the client may sue you, the spa where you work, and/or the massage therapist who provided the service. If you are sued and lose your case, you could be liable for damages awarded to the plaintiff.
To protect yourself from possible liability,
it is important to have liability insurance. There are a number of types of liability insurance available for massage therapists, and each has its own specific requirements. Here are three types of massage therapy liability insurance that you may want to consider:
Massage Therapy Professional Liability Insurance: This type of insurance covers you if you are
What Areas Can You Cover with Liability Insurance?
Your massage business could be covered under a variety of liability insurance policies, depending on the coverage areas you choose and the limits that are offered. Here are some common coverage areas for massage therapists:
1. Professional liability insurance covers you for any legal action that is brought against you due to your professional actions. This could include claims of negligence or wrongful death.
2. Employer liability insurance provides coverage for any legal action that is brought against your business by an employee or client. This could include claims of sexual harassment or wrongful termination.
3. Products liability insurance protects you from any legal action that is brought against you due to the products you sell or provide services with. This could include claims of defective products,
injury caused by mishandling a product, or product misuse.
4. Business auto insurance protects you and your business vehicle from any accidents or claims that may occur while it’s in use. This includes personal property damage as well as bodily injury claims.
–
5. Workers’ compensation insurance provides financial assistance to employees who are injured on the job,
whether their injuries were caused by the employer or another member of the workplace.6. Workers’ compensation insurance pays medical and wage benefits to injured employees after they recover,
up to a certain point.
7. Property insurance protects against accidental destruction or loss of property that you own, including problems like fire, theft, vandalism or natural disasters.
8. Health insurance protects you from paying for medical treatments and medications if you are unable to pay with your own personal insurance or family coverage. While most health plans are required by law to provide equal coverage for both privately insured and uninsured individuals in the same class ranks,
including children under age 19 through 26 and only limited exceptions for pregnancy related conditions (with no co-pays),
there can be exceptions depending on the type of plan being used as well
When is Liability Insurance Worth It?
We cover massage therapists and bodyworkers in solo careers, small spa environments, or as employees of national franchises. We also cover mobile massage therapists. Insure LMT offers affordable LMT insurance at only $97 for full coverage.
When it comes to massage therapy, many people may think that the risk of injury is low. However,
this is not always the case. According to the National Board of Massage Therapy, 1 out of every 200 massage therapists experiences an injury that requires professional medical care.
This means that, even if your injury is minor, you could be liable for expensive medical bills if you don’t have liability insurance.
Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding whether or not liability insurance is right for you:
– Your profession: Liability insurance isn’t always necessary for massage therapists who work in high-risk professions. For example, a massage therapist who works at a hospital may be protected by liability insurance regardless of the type of massage they perform.
– The amount of money you make: Although liability insurance is generally affordable, the more money you make,
the more coverage you will need. For example, a massage therapist who makes $50,000 per year will need coverage worth $100,000 if they are sued.
– The type of massage you provide: In most cases, massage therapists providing Swedish or deep tissue massages are not typically covered by liability
How Much Does Liability Insurance Cost?
Affordable liability insurance for massage therapists can be a pricey proposition. While the average price for liability insurance for a massage therapist is around $600 per year, the price can vary drastically depending on the carrier and your location.
To get an idea of how much you could potentially pay for liability insurance,
we recommend checking with your state Insurance department or an independent broker. They can provide you with a ballpark estimate that will include the cost of coverage, as well as other considerations such as deductible amounts and exclusions.
Should you get multiple policies?
Massage therapists are often in high-risk professions and can be injured while providing services. Therefore,
it is important to have adequate liability insurance to protect yourself and your business.
However, with the cost of liability insurance skyrocketing,
many massage therapists are wondering if it’s worth getting multiple policies. Here are four factors to consider before making that decision:
1. Size of Business: A single policy will likely cover your business for less than $100,000 in total damages. However,
if your business grows significantly or you offer services outside of massage, you may need to get a more comprehensive policy.
2. Profession: Certain professions (such as doctors) are automatically covered by government-issued liability insurance. This isn’t always the case for massage therapists, so it’s important to do your research to see if you’re eligible for coverage.
3. Frequency of Services: If you offer services on a regular basis or have a high risk of injury,
it may be worth getting a policy that covers more damages. Conversely, if your business is low-risk and you only offer occasional services, a policy that costs less per occurrence may be more economical.
