Martial Arts Schools and Studios

Affordable insurance coverage for schools, studios, dojos and gyms

Martial arts and karate school insurance provides the necessary coverage for owners to operate with peace of mind by eliminating the financial and emotional burden an injury or lawsuit can cause. The policy provides Participant Accident & Liability coverage.

You also have the option to add on coverage for:

  • camps
  • tournaments
  • hired and non-owned auto
  • sexual abuse and molestation
  • equipment

Coverage includes martial arts liability insurance for the school, including its employees and volunteers, for liability claims arising out of its operations and participant accidents. Instructors hired as W-2 Employees and Volunteer Staff Members are covered under the policy. Any instructor hired as an Independent Contractor is not covered under the policy, but can be added for an additional premium. Alternatively, you can require instructors to purchase their own martial arts instructor insurance, and name your business as an Additional Insured.

Martial arts and karate school insurance is available for online quoting and purchase through the Program applications below.

Cost of Martial Arts School Insurance

Annual premiums start between $490 – $551. Whether your premium will go up from there is based on several factors. A primary factor is number of participants. AIS offers two Martial Arts Insurance programs. Find out below which of the two you are eligible for.

If you have more than three years’ experience, depending on a few factors, Program A may be cheaper for you. If you are eligible for both programs, you can fill out both applications to see which is more affordable.

How to Apply

We offer two martial arts school insurance programs. Both programs cover facilities that, in addition to martial arts instruction, may also have yoga and/or exercise classes, hosted day camps (may require an additional quote), or hosted competitions. Additionally, Program A and Program B can both cover participation in the following off-site activities, if needed:

  • competitions
  • demonstrations
  • parades
  • fundraising

Program A only covers these styles:

  • Aikido
  • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
  • Capoeira
  • Fitness Boxing (non-contact)
  • Hapkido
  • Judo
  • Jiu Jitsu
  • Karate
  • Krav Maga
  • Kung Fu
  • Taekwondo
  • Tai Chi

If your gym teaches styles besides the above mentioned, such as Muay Thai, you’ll need to apply for Program B.

We do not cover HEMA. If you need coverage for MMA Events (Boxing, Kickboxing, or MMA), you need to apply for MMA event insurance.

Program A

If any of the following apply, you are eligible for Program A only. Note that your school must teach among the martial arts styles on the above list only.

  • You host birthday parties, inflatables, or have a traverse wall in your facility
  • Management has a minimum of 3 years’ experience in owning/operating a martial arts facility
  • You have a concussion management policy*

*Concussion Management Plan: Your concussion management plan must  include: for a participant you suspect has a concussion, that participant is immediately removed from the activity, and the athlete cannot return to the activity without written clearance from a licensed physician.

Program B

If you have less than 3 years of martial arts studio management experience, you are only eligible for Program B. Or, you can apply to both and compare rates. However, note that Program B requires you have a Risk Management Plan implemented at the time of policy purchase. A Risk Management plan contains policies and procedures that are used to help prevent and reduce liability and loss. For example, having emergency contacts for all of your participants, waiver release forms, etc.

Boxing Rings

Studios with Boxing Rings require internal quoting. Please contact us at 877-811-2271 if you need coverage for a boxing ring.

Commons Questions

How do I add my Landlord as an Additional Insured?

  • Program A – Additional Insured Certificates can be added online after the policy is purchased at anytime
  • Program B – Additional Insured Certificates can be added during the application or  online anytime after the policy is purchased

Are Instructors Covered?

W-2 employees and volunteer staff members are covered under this policy. Program A does not cover instructors hired as an Independent Contractor  (1099/non-employee).  If you go with Program A, Independent Contractors need their martial arts instructor insurance naming the studio as an Additional Insured. Program B offers independent contractor coverage for an additional premium of $75 per instructor.

Is my equipment covered under the policy?

No. Equipment is not automatically covered under the policy unless the option for Equipment is selected and purchased. Both programs include the option to add equipment coverage on the application. Equipment coverage protects your equipment against loss and damage resulting from theft, fire, flood, wind/hail, etc.