This is one of the most misunderstood areas in martial arts schools.
A dojo may have solid public liability insurance in place. The certificate looks current. The limit is adequate. The business feels protected.
Then the question arises:
“If I’m teaching inside this dojo, am I automatically covered?”
The answer depends entirely on structure — not assumption.
And structure in martial arts schools is rarely as simple as it appears.
Let’s clarify this properly.
The First Question: Are You an Employee or a Contractor?
Insurance follows legal classification.
If an instructor is a
true employee, working under a formal employment agreement, paid wages, and covered under workers compensation, they are generally included within the dojo’s liability structure.
But many martial arts schools operate differently.
Common arrangements include:
- Revenue-sharing instructors
- Subcontractor instructors running their own classes
- Affiliate black belts using the premises
- Visiting instructors conducting seminars
- Independent coaches hiring mat space
These individuals are often not employees — even if they feel part of the school family.
And that distinction changes insurance responsibility.
Why This Distinction Matters
If an instructor is legally a contractor and a claim arises from their instruction, liability may attach to:
- The instructor personally
- The dojo
- Or both
If the instructor does not carry their own professional indemnity cover, they may be financially exposed.
At the same time, the dojo’s insurer may question:
Was this instructor declared?
Were they acting within the scope of insured activities?
Is their relationship documented?
Unclear structures create friction during claims.
Clear structures create confidence.
The “I Thought They Were Covered” Problem
This is where many schools encounter difficulty.
A head instructor assumes everyone teaching under their banner is automatically protected.
An assistant instructor assumes the dojo’s policy extends to them personally.
Neither assumption may be correct without proper disclosure and documentation.
Insurance policies respond based on defined insured parties.
If the instructor is not explicitly covered — either as an employee or declared contractor — ambiguity arises.
Ambiguity during a claim is not desirable.
Professional Indemnity: The Often Overlooked Exposure
Martial arts instruction is professional guidance.
When an instructor:
- Teaches technique
- Designs drills
- Assesses readiness for sparring
- Determines grading eligibility
- Modifies training for injury
They are exercising professional judgment.
If a student alleges negligent instruction — not unsafe premises, but poor coaching decisions — that may fall within professional indemnity territory.
If only the dojo carries cover and the instructor is operating independently, there may be a gap.
That gap can expose both parties.
Affiliate Schools and Multi-Location Structures
Many martial arts systems operate through affiliate models.
A central organisation may provide branding, grading standards, and technical direction.
Individual schools may operate as separate legal entities.
Insurance must reflect legal reality — not association hierarchy.
If each school is a separate entity, each typically requires its own policy.
Shared branding does not equal shared liability coverage.
This is a critical distinction within martial arts networks.
Visiting Instructors and Seminars
Another common grey area arises during:
- Interstate seminars
- Guest black belt workshops
- Competition training camps
If a visiting instructor teaches within your dojo, several questions emerge:
- Are they insured independently?
- Are they temporarily covered under your policy?
- Have you notified your insurer of event-based instruction?
Without clarity, exposure increases.
Event-based activities often require explicit disclosure.
Workers Compensation vs Liability
Instructors who are employees must typically be covered under workers compensation schemes for workplace injury.
This is separate from public liability.
If an employed instructor is injured while teaching, workers compensation may apply.
If a contractor is injured, the situation becomes more complex.
Misclassification can create regulatory and insurance complications.
Legal structure matters beyond premium cost.
Protecting the Instructor and the School
The most stable approach is layered clarity:
- Written agreements defining status (employee vs contractor)
- Clear insurance requirements within contracts
- Verification of instructor certificates of currency
- Disclosure of all instructors to the insurer
- Policy wording aligned with real teaching activities
When these elements are aligned, claims are handled smoothly.
When they are informal or assumed, disputes can arise.
Why Specialist Insurance Matters in Martial Arts
Generic fitness policies often fail to appreciate:
- Contact training structures
- Grading systems
- Youth class dynamics
- Sparring progression
- Affiliate relationships
Martial arts instruction is not generic group fitness.
The exposures are distinct.
Insurance arrangements must recognise that difference.
MAAIS structures cover specifically aligned to how martial arts schools genuinely operate — not how insurers assume gyms operate.
That alignment reduces uncertainty.
The Question Every Head Instructor Should Ask
If an assistant instructor made a serious error tomorrow, resulting in a claim:
- Is their status clearly defined?
- Is their instruction declared within your policy?
- Do they carry independent cover if required?
- Would your insurer recognise them as an insured party?
If those answers are unclear, the structure deserves review.
This is not about distrust.
It is about clarity.
Clear structure protects relationships.
Final Perspective
Martial arts schools are built on hierarchy, mentorship, and respect.
But legal and insurance structures must operate with precision.
An instructor teaching inside your dojo is not automatically protected simply because they wear your patch.
Coverage depends on classification, disclosure, and policy wording.
When structure is deliberate and documented, protection is strong.
When structure is informal and assumed, vulnerability increases.
Strong dojos train deliberately.
Insurance should be arranged the same way.
