I was teaching a virtual intermediate flow to twenty students on Zoom when one of them—who had her camera off—attempted a headstand I hadn’t even queued yet. She crashed into her coffee table, herniated two discs, and is now suing me for $150,000 in medical bills, claiming I “failed to provide a safe environment” and “failed to supervise.” My studio insurance agent told me my policy might not cover accidents that happen in someone else’s living room.
Key Takeaways
- “Designated Premises” Limit: Many fitness policies only cover injuries that happen at the studio address listed on the Declarations page.
- Virtual Endorsement Required: In 2026, if your policy doesn’t explicitly state “Online/Virtual Instruction” is covered, you are likely exposed.
- The “Camera Off” Defense: You cannot supervise what you cannot see. Your waivers must explicitly release you from liability for unsupervised home environments.
- Jurisdiction Matters: If you are in New York and the student is in California, you can be sued in California. Does your policy cover interstate lawsuits?
The “Why”: The Designated Premises Endorsement
The Trap:
Check your General Liability policy for a form called CG 21 44 – Limitation of Coverage to Designated Premises.
If this form is attached, coverage applies only to the address listed (your gym).
If a student trips over their own rug in their own house while watching your stream, the injury occurred off-premises. The carrier will deny the claim, arguing they insured a gym, not the entire internet. You need a policy with “Designated Operations” coverage (e.g., “Yoga Instruction”) regardless of location.
The Investigation: I Quoted 3 Major Carriers
1. Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY)
- My Analysis: The gold standard for fitness professionals. Their policy typically includes a specific endorsement for “Live Streaming and Pre-Recorded Content,” provided you keep the recordings for 3 years (for evidence).
- The Cons: They are strict. If you didn’t use a specific disclaimer at the start of the video, they might fight the claim.
2. K&K Insurance
- My Analysis: They understand the gig. Their online application asks specifically: “Do you teach virtual classes?” If you check yes, they add the rider. It’s affordable (~$200/year extra).
3. NEXT Insurance
- My Analysis: Good for quick coverage, but read the fine print. Their standard “Personal Trainer” policy covers you at “client locations,” but the definition of a “location” in virtual space is legally murky. I’d want written confirmation from an underwriter before relying on it for Zoom classes.
[IMAGE: Screenshot of a Zoom disclaimer slide that trainers should use]
Comparison Table: Virtual Liability Coverage
| Carrier | Covers Live Zoom? | Covers Pre-Recorded? | Recording Requirement? | Cost |
| PHLY | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| K&K | Yes | Yes | No | |
| NEXT | Ambiguous | No | N/A | $ |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Update Your Waiver: It must specifically mention “Online/Virtual Activities” and “Home Environment Risks.”
- Verbal Disclaimer: Start every recording with: “Consult a doctor. Clear your space. If you turn your camera off, I cannot correct your form.”
- Check Policy Territory: Ensure it covers “USA/Canada” or “Worldwide,” not just “123 Main St.”
- Notify Carrier: If you haven’t told them you teach online, do it today. It changes the risk profile.
FAQ
Am I liable if they turn their camera off?
Legally, you have a better defense (“Assumption of Risk”), but you can still be sued. Insurance pays the lawyer to argue that point.
Does this cover YouTube videos?
“Pre-recorded” is different from “Live.” Check your policy. Some exclude “Media Liability” (publishing videos).
Can I teach students in Europe?
Only if your policy has “Worldwide Jurisdiction.” Most US policies exclude lawsuits filed outside the US/Canada.