Insurance is often spoken of in general terms – “the studio has insurance” or “I am insured” – but these statements are too general. Insurance policies vary significantly in their scope, their exclusions, and the parties they protect. Understanding these differences is essential for any yoga teacher who wishes to know whether they are genuinely covered or whether coverage gaps exist.
In earlier posts in this series, we explored how liability arises in reality and what waivers can and cannot do. This post looks at the third aspect of the risk management picture – insurance.
Two types of insurance that matter
The two most relevant types of insurance for yoga teachers in Singapore are professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance. Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they serve distinct purposes and cover different types of risk.
- Professional indemnity insurance covers claims arising from alleged negligence in the provision of professional services. For yoga teachers, this typically means allegations that a teacher’s instruction, adjustment, or failure to respond appropriately caused injury to a student. This type of insurance is particularly relevant for freelance teachers, who may not be covered by a studio’s policy. If a student brings a claim against a freelance teacher personally and the teacher does not hold professional indemnity insurance, the teacher may be required to meet the costs of defending the claim and any damages awarded out of their own pocket.
- Public liability insurance covers claims arising from accidents or injuries that occur on the premises or in connection with the use of the premises. If a student slips on a wet floor in the studio reception area or trips over a yoga block left in a practice room, public liability insurance may cover the claim. This type of insurance is typically held by the studio. Individual teachers who conduct private classes in rented spaces or lead outdoor sessions may wish to consider taking up their own policy.
This distinction matters because it determines which policy, if any, will respond to a particular claim. A claim arising from an alleged teaching error would typically fall under professional indemnity, whereas a premises-related accident would typically fall under public liability. Teachers who assume they are ‘covered’ without knowing which type of insurance applies may discover that the wrong policy is in place, or that no policy covers the specific situation at all.
Are you actually covered by the studio’s policy?
Many teachers assume that because they teach at a studio, they are automatically covered by the studio’s insurance. This is not always correct. A critical distinction exists between being a named insured and being an additional insured under a studio’s policy.
A named insured is the primary party covered – typically the studio or the company. An additional insured is a party granted coverage under the policy, often subject to specific conditions. Coverage for individual teachers may depend on whether the teacher is classified as an employee or independent contractor, whether the teacher is expressly named in the policy, and whether the teacher complies with conditions specified in the policy.
For example, a studio’s professional indemnity policy may cover teachers, but only if those teachers hold valid yoga teaching certifications and only if they comply with the studio’s safety protocols. Teachers who do not hold valid teaching certifications, or who deviate significantly from the studio’s established practices, may find that coverage does not extend to them in the event of a claim.
Teachers should not assume coverage. They should ask the studio for written confirmation of whether they are covered, under what circumstances coverage applies, and what conditions they must meet to maintain coverage. If the studio cannot or will not provide this confirmation, or if coverage is conditional or uncertain, teachers should consider obtaining their own professional indemnity insurance.
Coverage gaps teachers overlook
Even when insurance exists, coverage gaps are common. Teachers often overlook these gaps because these gaps were not explicitly disclosed or made known to the teachers, or the teachers did not read (or understand) the policy documents.
- Exclusions for certain activities. Many professional indemnity policies are written with standard studio classes in mind. Activities outside this scope – for example, aerial yoga, acro-yoga, or practices like sound healing and breathwork – may be excluded. If a claim arises from an excluded activity, the insurer may deny coverage.
- Exclusions for overseas activities. Teachers who lead retreats or workshops outside Singapore may assume their Singapore insurance policy covers them internationally. However, it may be the case that the policy is limited to activities conducted within Singapore, or the policy requires advance notification and additional premium for overseas coverage.
- Exclusions for gross negligence or wilful misconduct. Policies typically cover ordinary negligence but not gross negligence (reckless disregard for safety) or wilful misconduct (intentional acts causing harm).
- Notification requirements. Most policies require the insured to notify the insurer of any incident that may give rise to a claim within a specified time frame – often days or weeks. Failure to notify promptly can result in the insurer denying coverage, even if the claim would otherwise have been valid.
What you need and don’t need
Not all teaching situations carry the same risk profile, and not every teacher needs the same level of insurance coverage.
If you teach regular classes at an established studio with comprehensive studio-held insurance that expressly covers you, the studio’s existing arrangements may be adequate for standard class-related risks. You should still verify your coverage in writing, but you may not need a separate individual policy for those classes.
If you teach as a freelancer across multiple studios, lead private sessions, or conduct outdoor classes, your exposure is higher and less predictable. You cannot rely on any single studio’s insurance to cover you consistently. Individual professional indemnity insurance becomes important, not as a luxury, but as a basic professional safeguard.
If you lead retreats, workshops involving advanced practices, or classes in specialised modalities, check whether your existing coverage extends to those activities. If it does not, additional coverage may be warranted.
If you teach exclusively online, your risk profile would again be different. Professional indemnity remains relevant – since a student could still allege that your instruction caused harm – but public liability is less likely to be needed since students are not on your premises.
The principle underneath
Insurance is a risk management tool, not a guarantee. It does not prevent claims from arising and it does not eliminate liability. What it does, when properly structured, is provide financial protection against the consequences of claims that could otherwise be devastating for an individual teacher.
But insurance only works if you understand what your policy covers, what it excludes, who it protects, and what conditions you must meet to maintain coverage. Teachers who rely on vague assurances that they are ‘covered’ without verifying the details may find that assumption tested at precisely the moment they can least afford it.
This post is part of an ongoing series on legal resources for yoga teachers in Singapore. A comprehensive toolkit covering this topic and more is coming soon!
The information in this article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal advice. Laws and regulations may change, and the information provided may not reflect the most current legal developments. For advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a qualified lawyer. No solicitor-client relationship is created by reading this content.