I was spotting a heavy squat. The client bailed, and the bar crashed onto my tibia. I couldn’t walk, let alone train, for 12 weeks. My liability insurance defended me against the client (who was fine), but it paid me zero dollars for my lost income. I burned through my savings in month one.
Key Takeaways
- Liability vs. Disability: Liability protects your assets from lawsuits. Disability protects your income from injury. They are opposites.
- Workers Comp: If you are Self-Employed, you likely don’t have Workers Comp unless you bought it.
- “Own Occupation” Definition: You need a policy that pays if you can’t be a Trainer. Some cheap policies only pay if you can’t do any job (like answering phones), so they won’t pay you because you can still sit at a desk.
- Waiting Period: Most policies have a 7-30 day waiting period (Elimination Period) before checks start.
The “Why”: The Physical Labor Trap
The Trap:
Your body is your business.
If you break a leg, revenue hits $0 immediately.
You need Short-Term Disability (STD) or Accident Insurance.
Standard “Business Interruption” insurance (part of a BOP) requires property damage (fire), not bodily injury. It won’t help here.
The Investigation: I Quoted 3 Options
1. Breeze / Assurity
- My Analysis: They offer “Income Protection” for freelancers. I quoted a policy for a 30-year-old trainer. For ~$40/month, I could get $2,000/month in benefits if injured.
- Pros: Fast online quote.
2. AFLAC (Accident Indemnity)
- My Analysis: Not true income replacement, but it pays cash lumps sums. “Broken Leg = $2,500 check.”
- Pros: Fast cash to pay rent. No waiting period for the accident payout.
3. Northwestern Mutual
- My Analysis: Long-Term Disability (LTD). This is for career-ending injuries. It’s expensive and takes weeks to underwrite (medical exams), but essential for long-term security.
[IMAGE: Graphic showing “Income Gap” during recovery with and without insurance]
Comparison Table: Income Protection
| Type | Pays For… | Cost | Waiting Period |
| Short-Term Disability | Monthly Income | | 7-14 Days |
| Accident Plan | Lump Sum Cash | $ | None |
| Workers Comp | Medical + Income | | None |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Build an Emergency Fund: 3 months of expenses. Insurance takes time to pay.
- Buy Accident Insurance: It’s cheap and pays immediately for breaks/tears.
- Check “Own Occ”: Ensure your Disability policy defines your job as “Physical Trainer.”
- Consider Workers Comp: Even if solo, buying a “Ghost Policy” or coverage for yourself can cover medical bills + wages, though it’s pricey.
FAQ
Does health insurance cover lost wages?
No. Never.
Can I train on crutches?
Maybe, but if you trip and hurt a client, your liability insurance might say you were “impaired” and deny the claim.
Is this tax deductible?
If you deduct the premiums, the payout is taxable. If you pay with post-tax dollars, the payout is tax-free. (Consult CPA).