Why do sports massage therapists need insurance?
Impacting a client injury
It can be normal for a client to feel a little sore after a massage – after all, you’re typically focusing on an injured area of their body. However, despite your best intentions to help, your massage could worsen their injury. Should a client present with a thigh strain and it turn out to be an acute rupture or tear, your massage has the potential to exacerbate bleeding and tissue damage. A treatment and professional liability insurance policy helps to cover the cost of negligence claims.
Breaking an expensive vase
You might visit a client at their home for an initial consultation and knock an expensive vase off the mantelpiece during an assessment of their injury. Another client could visit your clinic as you’re having a new appointment monitor installed and trip over a rogue wire. No matter where you operate from, your business involves working with members of the public every day. Sports massage insurance with public liability cover built in can help protect you if a member of the public is injured or their property damaged as a result of your business activities.
You're out of action
Your business focuses on helping people recover from injuries – but what if the tables are turned? You might be working on someone’s niggly hamstring and feel a pop in your shoulder, or you could be ice skating on a day off and sprain your ankle. Should you or a named employee become injured and unable to perform massages for a certain amount of time, you could experience a significant loss of earnings. With personal accident insurance, Hiscox can provide a lump sum or a weekly amount to protect against this financial strain.
What cover is included in insurance for sports massage therapists?
Public liability insurance
Sometimes accidents happen – whether a client slips on a wet floor on your business premises, trips over a promotional banner stand outside your building, or you damage their expensive watch during therapy. The associated legal and compensation costs from a claim could have a large financial impact on your business. A public liability policy helps to cover these costs in the event a member of the public claims your business activities caused them injury, illness or poor health, or that their property was damaged.
Personal accident insurance
If you’re unable to work a personal accident insurance policy as part of your sports massage business insurance can help. Your work is hands-on, so whether you sprain your wrist during a deep tissue massage, or burn your palms cooking at home, you may be unable to massage clients for some time. Personal accident cover will assist you in covering expenses so you can focus on rehabilitation – you’ll be at the therapy table and welcoming clients before you know it.
Treatment and professional liability insurance
Businesses that deliver treatments, such as sports massage, may benefit from treatment and professional liability insurance. This type of cover keeps you protected if a sports massage patient claims your work aggravated or worsened their problem, and it also helps if you make an honest mistake such as selecting the wrong treatment plan. Treatment and professional liability insurance could be important for professionals who give aftercare advice to their clients, since there’s a chance you could face a compensation claim if your words cause harm.
We can help you to build a wide-ranging package of sports massage therapy insurance, tailored specifically to your business. Other relevant insurances might include employers’ liability, office insurance and cyber and data cover.
If you’re not sure what you need, tell us a little more about what you do. We’ll help you to build your quote and explore any other insurance needs.
Build my coverInsurance for sports massage therapists FAQs
Will I be covered for giving massages in my own home?
Yes – a Hiscox sports massage policy can be tailored to suit your operational needs, so you can build your cover to include home-based business insurance.
Should you decide to run your massage therapy clinic from home, the space you have will need to be appropriate for appointments and also pass safety checks. Before you start opening your front door to massage clients, you’ll also need to make your home insurance provider aware of the change in circumstances.
Are other types of therapy included in my policy?
Our sports massage therapy insurance is tailored to cater to the specific requirements of this profession, so other types of therapy won’t be included in your policy. All our packages of profession cover are made-to-measure in order to assist you in leaving no stone unturned – so you can focus on helping your clients get back on their feet.
Should you operate in another therapy field, you might find it helpful to get in touch with our team of business insurance specialists, who can help explore your insurance needs.
Do I need proof of qualification to get sports massage insurance?
At Hiscox, we don’t ask to see proof of qualifications or certificates before we tailor sports massage therapy cover to your business. Our team trusts that you are qualified to operate within your industry and that this qualification at least meets the minimum standard of a regulatory body.
Of course, if a claim is made against you, confirmation of your credentials will be required in this instance. Without being able to provide evidence of your professional experience and eligibility in the event of a claim, we might be unable to assist with your case.
Related articles and guides
How much does public liability insurance cost?
If you offer massage therapy to professional athletes and recreational sports players, public liability might provide stability – learn how much this insurance costs with Hiscox.
How to become a wellness therapist
Thinking of setting out on your own? Find out how to become a wellness therapist and offer massage, aromatherapy or reflexology with our guide.
The formula for business success
Thinking of setting out on your own? Find ways to create the perfect formula for business success for your sports massage venture with our guide.