Personal trainer insurance UK: what cover you need and what it costs

TL;DR: A self-employed PT usually needs public liability (a client or member of the public gets hurt or their property is damaged) and professional indemnity (a client says your advice or instruction caused them harm or loss). If you take anyone on, read GOV.UK's employers' liability page first. On cost, Simply Business says the cheapest 10% of its PT customers paid £60.54 or less a year for up to £2m public liability (January to June 2026).

In practice, most PTs can't work without it:

• Your gym may ask. If you rent space in a gym, ask what cover and limit they require before you start.
• Clients may ask. Companies booking corporate wellness sessions may want to see your certificate.
• Claims are expensive. Simply Business says the average PT claim it paid was £30,995. That's based on only three claims, so treat it as a warning, not an average you can plan around.

Taking someone on? Before an assistant coach starts, read GOV.UK's employers' liability insurance page and ask your broker what you need.

Your job is advice and instruction. That's exactly what professional indemnity covers.

CIMSPA, the professional body for sport and physical activity, has a Benefit Partner insurer for its members. CIMSPA says that cover always includes both professional indemnity (claims about advice, instruction or coaching errors) and public and products liability. Optional add-ons include employers' liability, equipment cover, personal accident and overseas cover.

You don't have to buy through CIMSPA. But that list is a good checklist of what a PT policy should include.

Simply Business says 89% of its PT customers pick £1 million of public liability and 11% pick £2 million.

Before you choose, check:

1. What limit your gym asks for.
2. What any corporate client's contract asks for.
3. Where you train: in people's homes, outdoors or both.

Buy at least the highest of those.

This is a "cheapest 10%" figure from one broker's customers, not a market average. Adding professional indemnity, equipment cover or employers' liability costs more. Get your own quotes.

Ask the insurer or broker these questions. Write the answers down.

1. Does it cover every place I train? Gym floor, outdoors, clients' homes, online.
2. Does it cover every type of session I run? One-to-one, small groups, bootcamps, boxing pads, kettlebells.
3. Does it cover online coaching and nutrition advice? Some policies limit what advice is covered. Stay within your qualification.
4. Are there group size limits?
5. Does it cover clients with medical conditions? If you work with people recovering from illness or injury, check your qualifications and your cover match.
6. Are there conditions I must meet? For example, a valid first aid certificate. The National Careers Service says it's usual for PTs to have a first aid certificate that includes CPR.
7. Is equipment covered in the car overnight?

Insurance works best when you can show you did things properly. Before each new client:

1. Do a health screening (often called a PAR-Q) and keep it on file.
2. Get signed consent and a liability waiver.
3. Keep a short note of each session: what you did and anything the client reported.
4. Record any accident, however small, the same day.

If a client ever makes a claim, these records are your evidence.

The Personal Trainers Business Documents — Premium (£19.99) includes a Client Consultation & Health Screening form, an Informed Consent & Liability Waiver, a Session Record & Training Log, a Nutrition Guidance Disclaimer and an Emergency Contact & Medical Authorisation form, among 13 templates.

The Personal Trainers Startup Guide (£4.99) covers PT insurance alongside registration and gym partnerships. They're templates and guidance, not insurance or legal advice.

Most do. Gyms and clients may ask for public liability and professional indemnity, and one claim can cost far more than a year's cover. If you take anyone on, check GOV.UK's employers' liability page.

Simply Business says the cheapest 10% of its PT customers paid £60.54 or less a year for up to £2m public liability, between January and June 2026. Adding professional indemnity and other cover costs more. Get quotes for the cover you actually need.

Most start with public liability and professional indemnity. Add equipment cover if your kit is expensive, personal accident or income protection if you'd struggle to pay bills while injured, and check employers' liability before you take on staff.

Not always. Ask the insurer directly whether online coaching, programme writing and nutrition advice are covered, and get the answer in writing.

Simply Business says 89% of its PT customers choose £1 million. Check what your gym and clients ask for and buy at least that.

All accessed 1 October 2026.

• Simply Business, "Personal trainer insurance" (cheapest 10% paid £60.54 or less a year / £5.05 a month for up to £2m PL, 1 Jan–30 Jun 2026; 89% choose £1m, 11% £2m; average claim £30,995 from 3 claims)
• GOV.UK, "Employers' liability insurance"
• CIMSPA, "Introducing Protectivity: a new insurance benefit for CIMSPA members" (PI and public/products liability included; optional EL, equipment, personal accident, overseas)
• National Careers Service, "Personal trainer" (usual to hold a first aid certificate including CPR)

This article is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Policies differ. Read the policy wording and speak to an FCA-authorised broker or insurer before you buy.