The CrossFit affiliate community is independently diverse in plans, box sizes, members, strengths, and weaknesses. That’s what makes it so incredible – each affiliate is creative, unique, and inventive in the CrossFit community. Not to mention, all boxes are helpful and welcoming to all CrossFitters in need of training and support. However, there is an unspoken truth that is sometimes hard to hear, and it is that any client you have is likely to sue you when the time comes. Accidents happen, and if they’re injured and cannot support themselves or their family, they’ll have no other choice but to seek compensation from you to make up for it.
Nobody wants to believe the worse can happen to them and their business, but it certainly can (and in many cases, it will). The best any business owner can do is be protected the best they can when (and if) circumstances require it. No business is entirely safe from major financial setbacks without insurance. In fact, you run the risk of not being able to cover costs and losing everything you’ve worked so hard for. Don’t worry, we have you covered on what is required in CrossFit affiliate insurance policies.
Why do I need CrossFit Affiliate Insurance?
If you’re an aspiring U.S. CrossFit affiliate, you have to submit proof of insurance to move on to the next step of the affiliation process with CrossFit®. International affiliates aren’t required to be insured, however, it’s strongly recommended for added protection.
Also, being properly insured guarantees you and your business are protected from any unfortunate circumstances that can happen. From property damage and occurrence liability to personal/advertising injuries and medical expenses – when you’re covered by CrossFit affiliate insurance, you have the peace of mind that everything you’ve worked so hard for is protected. Nobody wants to believe it’ll happen to them until it does, and they weren’t suitably covered.
CrossFit Affiliate Insurance Requirements
There are three major requirements you must meet in order to complete your affiliation process. Aside from unrelated insurance requirements – like a CrossFit training certificate, annual costs, and a live website – you’ll need proof of insurance that includes:
1. Certificate of Insurance (COI)
A certificate of insurance is a document that provides details on your insurance coverage. It isn’t a replacement for actual insurance policy documents, but it is an acceptable form for proof of insurance. Your COI is expected to include information on your general liability coverage and professional liability coverage.
2. Comprehensive General Liability
General liability is the most basic and essential insurance every CrossFit affiliate needs to have. The most effective general liability plans cover occurrence liability, medical expenses, personal and advertising injuries, damage to rented premise, aggregate-general liability, aggregate all coverage parts, abuse and molestation occurrence/aggregate, and product completed operations aggregate.
On the other hand, general liability does not cover your own property damage, professional negligence, auto claims, employee injuries, product defects, and lost business incomes, although CrossFit RRG partners with NEXO Fitness Solutions, where additional policies are provided.
Your CrossFit requirement for general liability is $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate.
3. Professional Liability
Professional liability (also known as “errors & omissions” insurance) is a plan that covers general costs associated with negligence claims. It is crucial for any affiliate for added protection from any “errors & commissions” in performing your professional services. There are too many liabilities involved with providing clients with health and fitness advice, leaving room for mistakes that can cost you your business.
Like all insurance plans, professional liability does not cover everything. Some exclusions that can apply in most (but not all) policies include bodily injury, property damage, and intentional/dishonest acts.
You’re expected to have professional liability coverage of $1,000,000.00.
Additional Measures You Should Take
These measures aren’t necessarily required, but they are essential in reducing risks and protecting your clients from injuries. It won’t be the “cure-all” solution that will stop accidents from happening, but it will prevent many.
CrossFit® recommends limiting you and your client’s risk by having:
- Waivers – waivers may not be admissible in court, but they’re definitely helpful to have. They’re important because they inform your members of the risks involved in participating in CrossFit activities. The more they know about the risks, the more careful they may be.
- Health Questionnaires – You’re building a relationship with your clients and getting to know them and their fitness potential. Health questionnaires give you more insight into their health information and possible limitations, so ask questions about eating habits, health issues, medications…etc.
- Client Consultations – These consultations are another great measure to take after receiving your client’s health questionnaire results. This way, you may discuss limitations and preventative measures as you advance with their fitness plan.
- First-Workout Evaluations – Whether set in a private manner or a classroom setting, first-workout evaluations allow you to see what your clients can do, consider modifications, and monitor their warm-up and practice.
- Incident Reporting and Follow-Ups – When dealing with many clients over time, you’ll notice it’s impossible to remember everything that happens. Incident reporting will detail everything from date and time, the incident, the client, staff & witness, and whatever else you can think of as important to record. Follow-ups and referrals are also essential because it shows you care.
- Trainer Education – Aside from the required Level 1 certifications all coaches should have, it is recommended to keep your staff educated on safety policies, waivers, health questionnaires, consultations, first-workout evaluations, and incident reports. And not only aware but actively following them as well.
CrossFit Affiliate Insurance Costs
Contact us to decipher your potential affiliate insurance costs. Many variables go into having insurance and making sure you and your business are fully covered when accidents happen, so there’s not always a “one-size-fits-all” cost. For instance, location, income, claims, and contract history are a few examples of factors that will be considered when an insurance company provides you with a cost estimate.
To better understand what you can expect, average general liability costs are $53 a month, and professional liability’s average cost is $46 a month. In some cases, you’ll even find a plan that combines the two required affiliate insurance plans with an average of $99 a month for both.
CrossFit® Recommended
There aren’t many things more fulfilling and gratifying than being a part of the CrossFit affiliate and training community. In fact, CrossFit RRG is so enamored by the branded fitness regimen that we built an insurance company specific to CrossFit. We understand the unique needs and complete protections necessary for successfully running a fitness business. While it is important to understand what is required of you in the CrossFit affiliate insurance process, we make it as quick and easy as possible so you can spend more time on more important matters like your clients and growing your business.
If you’re a broker looking for innovative insurance solutions for your clients, we invite you to learn more about NEXO Insurance Services. With a focus on technology, flexibility, and customer service, NEXO offers a wide range of insurance products and services designed to meet the unique needs of today’s businesses.
By partnering with NEXO, you can offer your clients the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have the right insurance coverage in place. To learn more about NEXO Insurance Services and how they can help you grow your business, visit our Agents & Broker website or contact us today.