Personal Trainer Insurance: Working Out What You Need For Your Business

Becoming a fitness professional means more than coaching great workouts — it’s about keeping yourself, your clients, and your business protected.

Whether offering training outdoors, at clients’ homes or you’re renting gym space as a personal trainer or fitness instructor, perhaps you’re offering online and virtual training, the right type of insurance cover gives you peace of mind and helps safeguard your reputation, earnings, and career.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about personal trainer insurance requirements — from Employers’ Liability Insurance and Professional Liability Insurance to optional specialist insurance add-ons. You’ll also find tips on choosing a reliable insurance provider that fits your goals and budget.

If you’re buying PT insurance for the first time or renewing your current policy, don’t worry — finding the right cover doesn’t have to be a pain. Let’s walk through the key points so you can stay protected and keep doing what you love.

Do you need personal trainer insurance?

Although the need for personal trainer insurance depends on your situation, the simple answer is yes — every trainer should have some form of cover to protect themselves from liability claims, client injuries, and financial loss.

We strongly recommend obtaining PT insurance in all circumstances, especially for Public Liability and Professional Indemnity coverage. In most cases, getting insured is crucial for financial and legal protection if a client makes a claim against you, or if you’re injured or ill yourself.

Legal Requirement: Employers’ Liability Insurance

If you employ staff, UK law requires you to hold Employers’ Liability Insurance (sometimes written as employer’s liability insurance) with a minimum of £5 million cover, as set out in the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969.
This protects you if an employee or assistant suffers a work-related injury or illness.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can issue fines of up to £2,500 per day for non-compliance.

When You Might Already Be Covered

The only situation where you might not need to arrange your own cover is if you’re employed by a gym and your activities are included in their policy – typically for public liability and professional indemnity.
Always review your contract and confirm whether you’re listed under the gym’s insurance. Don’t assume you’re automatically covered.

When You’ll Need Your Own Policy

If you plan to work independently or across multiple locations, you’ll need your own Personal Trainers’ insurance. Most gyms, leisure centres, and venues now require proof of insurance before allowing PTs to operate.

Here are a few common scenarios:

• Employed by a gym: Review your contract to check what’s covered under the gym’s policy.
• Working at different gym facilities: Make sure your policy includes all training locations.
• Freelance or self-employed trainer: It’s your responsibility to arrange your own insurance.
• Outdoor or home sessions: You’ll need Public Liability Insurance to cover clients outside a gym environment.

Without the right cover in place, you could lose access to venues or even face personal legal costs if an incident occurs.

Why is it important to get the right personal trainer insurance?

Insurance offers vital protection from claims that could otherwise damage your business or career.

Even the best trainers experience unforeseen issues, a client might trip over weights, claim improper supervision, or allege negligence in your training plan. A solid Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy or Professional Liability Insurance will cover these risks.

In addition, as a personal trainer, having appropriate cover shows clients and partners that you operate professionally, maintain required qualifications, and follow training content and policy subject to qualification clauses that align with your Level 2/3 qualification or higher. Ultimately, investing in the right insurance gives you peace of mind, allowing you to focus on providing the best possible service to your clients.

For these reasons, it’s well worth making sure you have up-to-date personal trainer insurance. Let’s take a closer look at the types of PT insurance you should be looking at.

What types of personal trainer insurance should I get?

Public liability cover

Public Liability Insurance protects you if a client or member of the public suffers bodily injury or property damage during one of your sessions. For example, if someone falls over a dumbbell you put on the floor, injures themselves and then holds you responsible, your public liability insurance would cover you in the event they make a claim. This might be particularly important if you take on NHS GP exercise referral clients for example. It’s among the most critical covers for any fitness instructor.

Most gyms, local authorities & sports centres require personal trainers to provide proof of Public Liability Insurance with at least £5 million cover (sometimes up to £10 million).

It also helps defend you against liability claims from client injuries, even if you’re not at fault. Some providers include this within a combined public and teacher liability insurance package, which is ideal for PTs who also teach group exercise or workshops.

You can usually get covered for high amounts by personal trainer insurance providers. For example, Insure4Sport and Protectivity both offer public liability cover options for £1m, £2m, £5m or £10m.

Professional indemnity

Sometimes known as Professional Liability Insurance, this cover protects you against legal costs and damages that you may be ordered to pay if a client claims they have suffered injury or loss due to your advice or instruction, rather than something from a physical accident.

For example, if a client alleges your programme led to an accidental injury, malpractice professional indemnity insurance covers legal costs and compensation.

As giving advice is a core element of being a personal trainer, professional indemnity insurance is a must in our eyes as it ensures that you’re protected in these situations.

Always check the Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy offered by your provider and confirm it matches your qualification requirements and the training content you deliver.

This is particularly important if you work with special populations (e.g., pre/post-natal or medical referrals) where specific certifications apply.

Insurance provider protectivity will provide professional indemnity cover that matches the level of your public liability. Insure4Sport provides £1m professional indemnity cover for free when you include public liability on your policy.

 

Employers liability insurance

If you employ staff – even part-time assistants or freelance instructors as part of your personal training business, you’re legally required to have Employers’ Liability Insurance.

This protects against employee injury, Client Injuries, and workplace illness claims. Some policies may list this under “Exclusions — Employers Liability Insurance,” so double-check your terms. Employers’ liability insurance typically covers full-time and part-time staff, as well as temporary, voluntary and apprentices.

If you’re a Training School or run a small studio employing others, ensure your insurance portfolio includes this mandatory element. However, if you’re a sole trader or freelancer and don’t employ anyone else, you don’t need employers’ liability insurance. 

Sports equipment cover

The kit and equipment used by personal trainers is often expensive. And as you know, accidents can happen at any time and gym kit can often break or need repairing. It’s also known as equipment insurance or Tools & Materials Insurance, this covers items such as resistance bands, dumbbells, mats, and electronics against loss, theft, or accidental damage.

Protecting your equipment is particularly important if you’re a mobile personal trainer, run outdoor bootcamps or fitness classes, or own a gym or training space. The cost of replacing damaged or stolen equipment can be significant, so having the right coverage in place is essential for minimising financial losses and making sure your business can continue running.

This is where sports equipment insurance comes in. Having this in place means you’ll be compensated if your equipment is lost, stolen or damaged. Insure4Sport will cover single items of sports equipment up to a maximum value of £2,500. Protectivity offers insurance of sports equipment up to £500 as standard, but you can get insured for kit worth up to £30,000. 

Some providers bundle this into a comprehensive Fitness Insurance or specialist insurance plan, which can include Household Insurance extensions if you store kit at home.

Personal accident cover

It’s not just your clients that you’ve got to think about. You can have an accident too – yes, even as a strong and knowledgeable personal trainer! If you’re injured and unable to work, personal accident insurance ensures you’re not left without income.

Personal accident insurance provides coverage for a range of injuries. From minor ones, such as those that require physiotherapy or dental treatment, up to more severe accidents resulting in broken bones or worse. Many policies also offer weekly benefit payments for temporary disablement, and lump sums for permanent injury. They can also help cover treatment or rehabilitation costs.

It’s usual to have personal accident protection up to £50,000, which can help cover the costs of medical treatment and provide compensation in case of serious accidents during one of your training sessions.

Consider combining personal accident cover with income protection or business interruption insurance if you rely solely on personal training as your income stream.

Loss of earnings cover

Going hand in hand with personal accident insurance is loss of earnings insurance. If you suffer a serious injury whilst carrying out your insured activity, you might not be able to work or run your personal training business for an extended period, leaving you out of pocket.

Loss of earnings insurance provides financial support when you’re unable to work due to an injury sustained whilst working as a personal trainer. This gives you some financial security until you can return to work, covering your expenses and lost income whilst you recover. You can get an idea of how much personal trainers make here.

Specialist and Contingent Insurance

For trainers who operate across multiple sites or teach under other organisations, specialist insurance or Contingent Insurance provides extra protection.

For example, if you occasionally instruct classes at a school or community centre, you might need School Insurance coverage or a Clinic / Salon Insurance Policy if you use shared wellness spaces.

Adding this ensures your type of insurance policy is valid across all environments where you operate.

Cyber / Crime Insurance for Online Trainers

As more trainers transition to online personal training and virtual coaching, it’s important to protect against digital risks.

Cyber Insurance or Cyber / Crime Insurance safeguards your business from data breaches, hacking, and online fraud. It covers the cost of recovering data, notifying clients, and even restoring damaged IT systems.

Many insurance providers now include optional cyber cover within their PT packages, offering risk assessment tools and guidance on claim prevention for trainers delivering services online.

Online and Virtual Training Coverage

The fitness landscape has shifted significantly since 2020, with online training and hybrid programmes now a permanent part of the industry.

Many modern Fitness Insurance providers have adapted, offering dedicated online and virtual training clauses within their policies.

• Insure4Sport offers comprehensive cover for live and pre-recorded sessions, with specified limits on group size and location.
• Some include protection for recorded content and remote guidance under its Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy.
• There are also those that offer extended digital liability as part of its specialist insurance suite, alongside contingent insurance and cyber insurance.

When choosing your provider, always verify the period of insurance, territorial limits, and exclusions regarding online sessions or pre-recorded content.

Additional Insurance Policies to Consider

Beyond core cover, there are several additional insurance policies you might add to your insurance portfolio for extra peace of mind:

• Clinic / Salon Insurance Policy – Ideal for PTs or therapists who deliver recovery or wellness sessions in shared facilities.
• School Insurance – Covers instructors who teach fitness within educational environments or school PE sessions.
• Training Extension Add-On – Extends your policy to cover newly acquired qualifications or expanded teaching roles within an Association or Training School.

Each type of insurance cover can be tailored to your needs, depending on your services, environment, and the risks you face.

What activities does PT insurance cover?

Personal trainer insurance is designed to cover a wide range of regular activities covered by PTs working in various settings and going about their everyday job. 

Standard PT insurance should cover places such as gyms, health clubs, studios, community centres, homes, outdoors and online. Please always double check the details to make sure you know what’s included and what isn’t. For interest, take a look at some of the best gyms in Manchester, Derby and Glasgow.

In terms of the activities, most personal trainer insurance policies will include a list of covered activities in their terms and conditions. These typically include popular classes like zumba, spin, Les Mills, circuit training, weight training, functional fitness, dance workouts, cycling workouts and much more. 

As with the location settings, it’s essential to review the specific terms of your policy to ensure that all the activities you offer are covered. Some specialised or high-risk activities may require additional coverage or be excluded from standard policies.

How much does insurance for personal trainers cost? 

The cost of Personal Trainers’ insurance varies depending on your level of cover, provider, and whether you include optional add-ons like equipment insurance or personal accident insurance.

In 2025, typical fitness insurance packages start around £46–£53 per year for entry-level cover, rising to £100–£150+ for comprehensive packages that include cyber insurance, loss of earnings insurance, and Clinic / Salon Insurance Policy extensions. Most providers give you the option to pay this upfront or via a monthly direct debit.  

If you want to add more cover to your insurance policy, it’s likely you’ll be paying well over £100 per year. It’s important to keep in mind that the more comprehensive your coverage, the higher your premiums are likely to be. However, investing in the right insurance is essential for protecting your business and providing peace of mind.

When comparing providers, consider:

• The period of insurance and renewal terms.
• Your specific business needs
• Exclusions related to specific disciplines or environments.
• The options of insurance cover available, such as training add-ons or digital coverage.
• Whether your previous insurance policy included any loyalty or no-claims benefits.

Choose a level of coverage that offers adequate protection without breaking the bank. Don’t forget to review your insurance regularly and update your coverage as your business grows and evolves.

Does personal trainer insurance cover online PTs?

Online personal training is a thriving business at the minute. Insurance providers recognise this and now offer coverage for virtual sessions and online training. Of course, the extent of coverage and the specific terms and conditions may vary between insurers.

For example, Insure4Sport’s public liability insurance covers you for face-to-face sessions as well as online sessions. But if you provide training programmes for clients and don’t actually see them during their session, you’d need to be covered by professional indemnity insurance to protect you from any claims arising as a result of your advice for the session. In Insure4Sport’s terms, they won’t provide cover if all your training sessions are conducted entirely online without any real-time interaction or video communication with your clients.

To ensure you’re adequately protected, look for insurance policies that specifically cover online personal training sessions. Keep in mind that most policies will have terms and conditions you must meet to be covered, so be sure to read the fine print and adhere to any guidelines set by the insurer.

Key steps to consider when buying PT insurance

Here is our 4 step plan to follow when buying insurance for your personal training business:

1. Decide when to take out personal trainer insurance

It’s never too early to get cover in place as a personal trainer. As soon as your business is liable or exposed to risk, you should consider insurance. You could be exposed to risk even before you start taking on clients and running sessions. For example, if you’ve purchased exercise equipment, you may want to buy cover before you start trading officially. 

There is some flexibility in how you can set the start date for your personal trainer insurance. If you know you’ll need cover soon, or will be moving from another provider, you can buy your policy now and set a date in the future for your cover to start.

2. Pay attention to covers, limits and excess

Decide on the type of personal trainer insurance and how comprehensive you want your cover to be. 

You might want to consider specialised insurance if you offer specific services. For example, if you offer pre and post-natal training to your clients, you may need to consider medical malpractice cover. This protects against claims for medical negligence if a client believes they’ve suffered physical damage from a treatment or piece of advice you gave.

It’s important to only purchase covers that apply to your business in order to avoid overpaying for your personal trainer insurance. For example, if you don’t have any employees and operate completely freelance, you won’t need employers liability insurance. Whilst some insurers bundle up their covers, flexible business insurance allows personal trainers to tailor quotes to provide a policy.

If you’re renting space for your personal training activity, you may find that the owner requires you to have some level of cover in place to take on the lease.

Once you’ve decided on your personal trainer insurance coverage, you may also need to choose what limits of cover you require. Limits are the maximum amount your policy will pay out in the event of a claim. Choosing the correct limit is another way to make sure your personal training business isn’t over or under-insured. Generally, the higher the limit you choose, the more you’ll pay.

In some instances, industry bodies or associations will require certain limits of liability for you to work with them.

Lastly, you should also take note of the excess you are willing to pay within your personal trainer insurance policy. Excess is the amount you will pay towards making a claim. Generally, if you choose a higher excess, you may pay a lower premium.

3. Research your chosen insurer

Now you know when you want your personal trainer insurance to start and what cover you require, you’ll need to choose an insurer. Like with any purchase, there are a number of factors you should consider when selecting an insurer, and a little bit of research pays off down the line.

Here are some things you should check when choosing an insurer:

• Reviews – Reading reviews from customers like you is a helpful way to assess the strengths and weaknesses of an insurer, as well as gain an objective sense of how trustworthy and reliable the insurer is.
• Regulation – Insurers in the UK are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and you should be able to find evidence of this on an insurer’s site. The financial strength of an insurer will also give an indication of their ability to pay claims.
• Contact and support – It may be useful to understand how you can contact your insurer, particularly if you’d like the ability to speak with someone directly, as some providers only offer online options.
• Products – Some insurers will bundle up policies while others offer more tailored cover, so checking the insurer can meet your specific needs as a personal trainer is important. It’s also essential to understand any fees that may be applied if you take certain actions, such as cancelling early.

4. Provide accurate information about your business

Providing accurate details when setting up your personal trainer insurance policy will ensure your cover is relevant and can be relied upon in the event of a claim. To complete a quote for insurance you’ll typically need the following information:

Your business type – Is your business set up as a sole trader, limited company or partnership?

What your business does – What type of work do you carry out in the fitness industry? Are you looking for insurance for a personal training business or a sports massage business for example.

Your business turnover – How much money do you expect to receive for your work over a 12 month period?

Where your business operates – Does your work cover the UK only or will you be working in other locations too?

Your employees – If you have any.

Whether you have cover in place currently – and if you do, your renewal date if you know it.

There may be some other information required to get the right insurance cover as a personal trainer, depending on what your business does.

The importance of keeping personal trainer insurance up to date

Regularly reviewing and updating your personal trainer insurance is crucial to make sure your coverage remains valid. It also helps to make sure you’re not overpaying for your policy. As your business grows and evolves, your insurance needs may change, and failing to keep your coverage up to date could leave you underinsured in the event of a claim.

Some common changes in your personal training business that would require you to revisit your coverage include:

• Expanding the types of services you offer to clients
• Hiring new employees
• Launching into new markets or locations

These factors can significantly impact your insurance requirements, and if not reflected in your existing policy, they could leave you vulnerable to financial losses.

To effectively manage your personal trainer insurance, consider the following tips:

1. Set reminders to review your policy regularly, such as every 6 months or annually.
2. Keep detailed records of any changes in your business, including new services, equipment purchases, or additional employees.
3. Communicate any changes to your insurer promptly to ensure your coverage is adjusted accordingly.
4. Compare quotes from different providers at renewal time to ensure you’re getting the best value for your coverage.

By staying proactive and diligent in managing your personal trainer insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that your business is adequately protected, allowing you to focus on providing exceptional service to your clients.

What about insurance for your own gym? 

If you own a gym or fitness space, your insurance requirements will extend beyond the typical coverage needed for personal trainers. In addition to protecting your clients and your professional liability, you’ll need to ensure that your business assets, including the building and its contents, are insured too.

Gym insurance is separate from personal trainer insurance and is designed to provide comprehensive coverage for the specific needs of gym owners. Much like home insurance, gym insurance protects your building and its contents from potential risks such as fire, theft or damage.

When considering gym insurance, you’ll need to assess the value of your business assets and choose coverage limits that adequately protect your investment. This may include the following types of coverage:

• Building insurance: Protects the physical structure of your gym, including walls, roofs, and fixtures.
• Contents insurance: Covers the equipment, machinery, and other assets within your gym, such as weights, cardio machines, and office equipment.
• Business interruption insurance: Provides financial support if your gym is forced to close temporarily due to a covered event, such as a fire or natural disaster.
• Liability insurance: Protects your business against claims of injury or property damage made by clients or third parties.

In addition to these core coverages, you may also want to consider additional policies depending on the specific needs of your gym. For example, if you sell products like supplements or merchandise, you may need product liability insurance.

Remember, investing in comprehensive gym insurance not only protects your business assets but also provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on growing your facility and serving your clients.

Is personal training insurance tax deductible?

Yes, in the UK, most business insurance premiums are tax-deductible, provided they are taken out wholly and exclusively for business purposes. If you’re in the process of doing your accounting or filing a tax return, it’s important to keep this in mind.

All business insurance premiums are considered as an ‘allowable expense’ by HMRC, along with accountancy and legal fees. This means that you can write off the cost of your premium against your taxable income when completing a tax return, potentially reducing your overall tax liability.

However, policies that combine personal and business benefits (such as Household Insurance for home offices) may require apportionment. Check HMRC’s guidance or consult an accountant if unsure.

To claim your personal training insurance as a tax-deductible expense, you’ll need to keep accurate records of your premium payments. This may include invoices, bank statements, or other proof of payment. When it comes time to file your tax return, you’ll include these expenses in the appropriate section of your return.

It’s always a good idea to consult with a qualified accountant or tax professional to ensure that you’re claiming all eligible expenses and maximising your tax deductions. They can provide guidance on record-keeping requirements and help you navigate the tax filing process. Maintaining accurate documentation of your insurance portfolio helps during renewals and claim periods.

By taking advantage of the tax deductibility of your personal training insurance premiums, you can reduce your overall business costs and reinvest those savings into growing your practice.

Recommended providers of personal trainer insurance

When searching for the best personal trainer insurance in the UK, it’s important to take the time to research and compare policies from multiple providers. One of the most effective ways to evaluate insurers is by reading reviews from actual customers.

To make sure you’re getting an unbiased perspective, it’s best to use third party review sites such as Trustpilot and Feefo. These platforms allow you to read reviews from verified customers, giving you a more accurate picture of the insurance provider. 

To give you a quick insight, Insure4Sport have a highly impressive rating of 4.8/5 from over 4,600 reviews. Protectivity also have a 4.8 rating from around 400 reviews.

When choosing a personal trainer insurance provider, you’ll also want to consider factors like:

• Coverage options and limits
• Policy flexibility and customization
• Price and payment plans
• Claims process and customer support
• Financial stability and industry reputation

By thoroughly researching your options and selecting a reputable provider, you can ensure that you have the right coverage in place to protect your business and give you peace of mind as you grow your personal training practice.