Attn Gym Owners: Insurance question

armbarking

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I rent space from a TMA school to hold BJJ classes. I am a legal business and have signed waivers from all the guys that train with us. I asked the guy who owns the place if we would be covered under his insurance or if I need my own. But, he didn't know. Does anyone know the answer to this? If I do need my own insurance, anyone have any suggestions where I can get some on the cheap? Thanks.

_dub
 
I rent space from a TMA school to hold BJJ classes. I am a legal business and have signed waivers from all the guys that train with us. I asked the guy who owns the place if we would be covered under his insurance or if I need my own. But, he didn't know. Does anyone know the answer to this? If I do need my own insurance, anyone have any suggestions where I can get some on the cheap? Thanks.

_dub
Your students should be covered on his insurance. It is his place so he is the one who needs to carry the insurance. The insurance I have covers a certain amount of students, which you can change at any time (for more money, of course). I can't remember the name of it but I will look tonight when I am at the studio. It doesn't cover much. It only covers the amount of the person's co-pay. I just had an issue where the person didn't have insurance so it basically covered nothing. Waivers are definitely needed. It sucks because you have to have it but it really doesn't do anything. Unless you get sued, then it covers you completely. In fact, my first claim was denied because I was one day off on the date of service and even though it was obvious, they wouldn't cover because the date I put was the day before. Apparently it's the only insurance for martial arts studios around though. No one else will cover. Though, I think my first comment about it being his studio so no need for you to get insurance is correct. I will get you the name just in case I am wrong.
 
Because it is his establishment, he needs to provide insurance. However, I would look into getting your own as well. It is extremely hard to find insurance for martial arts that apply joint locking and choking techniques. It took me forever to find insurance, so I had my insurance handler look for me.
 
Actually it should have been stipulated in your lease. Typically the leasee is required to carry liability insurance and that policy should cover the leaser as well as himself. If he didn't raise the point I would still get it, as it is the only protection you have for your personal assets. Even if you are incorporated, a lack of corporate assets allows for the corporate veil to be pierced and the indivuals to be held liable. Your landlord's insurace will protect him, but it will not cover you.

Pricing on policies typically depends on things like number of students, do they wear protective gear, do you do full contact, do you spar, do you teach weapons, etc.

A lot of schools make their students pay for their own policy when they join. Just something to consider.
 
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No lease. I just cut the guy a check and he gave me a key. The place is a TMA school, so I know he has insurance, but I'm not hired by him to teach grappling, I just pay him a monthly fee for mat space and operate under my own flag. That's why I'm not sure if we're covered or who to ask if I need coverage.
 
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No lease. I just cut the guy a check and he gave me a key. The place is a TMA school, so I know he has insurance, but I'm not hired by him to teach grappling, I just pay him a monthly fee for mat space and operate under my own flag. That's why I'm not sure if we're covered or who to ask if I need coverage.

Ok...as a douchebag attorney, if there were a claim against his insurance from one of your students, I'd advise him to argue against liability...but that'd just be settlement ploy.

Insurance like that tends to be for a location, not a person...and it tends to cover anything that typically happens at the location.

In the end, it might be worth looking into your own limited coverage because you have no idea what his says. He might have a carve out (you), he might be lapsed on his coverage...who knows.
 
I'm not 100% on this but if you do not have a contractual arrangement, and you are not considered his "employee" you should probably look into a policy for yourself.

While I'm pretty sure a suit against you would be very difficult in the context of grappling, after stuff I've read about court rulings exposing individuals to massive damages, you may want the protection.
 
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Good news is I have no money and hardly any assets!!

That's not as much protection as you think. Anybody can still get a judgment against you that can attach itself to your income for quite some time.

As a former gym owner, I recommend you investigate and get your own policy. Any policy that your landlord holds only protects him, not you. You can still be sued by your students separately from the landlord. I am no attorney, but having hired independent contractors for years, I have always been advised to tell them this before giving them their key.
 
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