Question about instructors and insurance

[Eleanor]

Is it common for instructors not to have instructor insurance in the USA?

I am finding that the more instructors I talk to about coming and doing a clinic in Canada, most only have a farm insurance that covers them on their farm so they are not sure if it is any good in Canada.

My insurance that I have to hold clinics requires that the instructors have to have there own insurance as well.

The insurance that I had when I had my boarding/training barn covered me to teach anywhere. So I find it a little funny/weird that they tell me they have to check on the insurance.

[Lady_Eboshi]

In the US ANY legitimate trainer, instructor or clinician who expects to work at venues they do not own not ONLY has appropriate insurance, they’re ready willing and able to give BO’s a certificate issued by the insurance company naming them specifically as “additional insured.” This insurance is not difficult to get; on my policy it doesn’t even cost extra.

Not having insurance is an absolute deal-breaker for me.

[arapaloosa_lady]

Why would you expect a trainer to know offhand how her insurance works internationally? I’m sure some are well-versed in their policies, and others were just sold a policy by an insurance agent who told them it covered their daily activities.

I suspect it’s less a case of being un-insured, and more a case of not knowing the details of insurance policies.

[quietann]

At every place I have boarded, trainers, whether visiting or not, were required to have their own insurance. I know this isn’t required, necessarily, in every state, but in MA it seems to be.

[IronwoodFarm]

I agree with arapaloosa lady. Many liability policies will offer world wide coverage as long as the suit is brought in a US court. Sometimes Canadian courts are allowed. I have been a licensed insurance consultant for 30 years and I have no idea if my own GL policy covers me for teaching outside the US. I would have to read the policy or check with my agent. I think it is a sign of a sensible professional to want to check their coverage.

[Janet]

My sister’s instructor’s insurance covered her in Virginia, but would not cover her in NY.

She would have had to pay a MUCH bigger premium to be covered in NY.

[Meredith_Clark]

[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;7983920]
In the US ANY legitimate trainer, instructor or clinician who expects to work at venues they do not own not ONLY has appropriate insurance, they’re ready willing and able to give BO’s a certificate issued by the insurance company naming them specifically as “additional insured.” This insurance is not difficult to get; on my policy it doesn’t even cost extra.

Not having insurance is an absolute deal-breaker for me.[/QUOTE]

What do you mean it doesn’t cost extra? What type of policy do you have?

[BeeHoney]

As a BO who allows outside instructors, I have to ask for these certificates all the time. I have never heard of an insurance company charging a fee to the instructor for this. The certificate does not expand that person’s insurance, it simply proves to me that the person does have insurance for teaching and training. Also, once the insurance co. has issued a certificate, they would notify me if that person dropped their insurance or changed their coverage within the next year.

Now, mind you, there are many instructors who say they are insured but really are not–or only have a commercial farm policy that covers them doing things on their own farm, and may not cover instruction. Frankly, it’s surprising, but I guess that some instructors feel that they need/want to spend the money. I really do feel that any serious, reputable instructor ought to have appropriate insurance and be prepared to offer proof to any venue they expect to teach at.

[Meredith_Clark]

[QUOTE=BeeHoney;7984276]
Frankly, it’s surprising, but I guess that some instructors feel that they need/want to spend the money. I really do feel that any serious, reputable instructor ought to have appropriate insurance and be prepared to offer proof to any venue they expect to teach at.[/QUOTE]

Let me start by saying I am NOT a riding instructor. In fact I’m a small human instructor (4th grade teacher). But my BO had approached me about giving lessons this summer to the kids that didn’t do the full camp, but still wanted to ride. I looked into my own policy and the cheapest I could find was around $700. I wouldn’t even make that much this summer giving lessons.

He’s going to see if he can put me on the farm policy.

[Janet]

[QUOTE=Meredith Clark;7984243]
What do you mean it doesn’t cost extra? What type of policy do you have?[/QUOTE]
I think she means that there is no extra charge for an additional “named insured”.

I do not think she means that there is no extra charge for teaching off your own farm (adding an “instructor” policy to a “farm” policy), or in other states.

[BeeHoney]

[QUOTE=Meredith Clark;7984322]
Let me start by saying I am NOT a riding instructor. In fact I’m a small human instructor (4th grade teacher). But my BO had approached me about giving lessons this summer to the kids that didn’t do the full camp, but still wanted to ride. I looked into my own policy and the cheapest I could find was around $700. I wouldn’t even make that much this summer giving lessons.

He’s going to see if he can put me on the farm policy.[/QUOTE]

Obviously get the details directly from the insurance company in question, but if you work for the BO as an employee, you should be covered under his insurance policy. I hire trainers/riders that work on my farm and they are covered under my commercial policy. However, if a trainer is an independent contractor who is hired/paid by a client of mine, then they must provide their own insurance.

Teaching riding lessons is a high liability line of work–very different from teaching piano. So small time riding instructors often are better off teaching as an employee/assistant at a larger facility that can provide insurance.