ALL MARTIAL ARTS STYLES - COVERED

Martial Arts Insurance is a specialised niche market and needs its own product, because the cover is required to be very broad, so it includes a wide range of activities spread across multiple styles. We have spent significant time working with Underwriters making sure they understand the industry and their products are fit for purpose. You don’t want to find out your policy isn’t, when you need to make a claim.

A broker needs to be aware of the differences between: Taekwondo, Karate Shotokan, Goju, Wado, Shukokai, Ashihara, Budokan, Chito Ryu, Enshin, Isshin Ryu, Kyokushin, Seidokaikan, Shito Ryu, Uechi Ryu, Shuri Ryu, Yoseikan, Kenshinkan, Shotokai, Kung Fu, Wing Chun, Shaolin, Hung Ga, Praying Mantis, Choy Li Fut, Wushu, Tai Chi, Eagle Claw, White Crane, Sanda, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), Aikido, Hapkido, Sambo, Wrestling, Sumo, Tang So Do, Kempo, Iaido, Ninjutsu, Kendo, Kobudo, Shuriji Kempo, Judo, Silat, Boxing, Krav Maga, Systema, Eskrima, Defensive Tactics for example, so they will be able to understand how incidents happen. Other elements to be aware of are how classes are conducted, matching partners, giving instruction, supervising the mats and the intensity of workouts for example. This knowledge is especially important if there is a potential claim and the broker doesn’t have the appropriate experience, to help the club owner get the best outcome. Essential incident reporting by the insured, combined with an in depth knowledge of martial arts techniques by the broker, can be difference between a claim escalating or going away.

Operators new to the professional side of the industry may ask, what insurance cover is the absolute minimum, as price is their priority. Some business operators believe all they are required to have is Public Liability, so they can rent / lease their facility and run classes. This is true, public liability insurance is generally all the landlord will ask for, in order to hand over the keys. However, some landlords are being advised by smart lawyers, to ask their tenets to include professional indemnity / civil liability. This is because its much more likely that the tenet will be sued from giving the wrong advice / coaching direction, than a slip & trip public liability cover. The lawyer’s reasoning is if the tenet is fighting a claim with just public liability, it could compromise their business and their ability to service the lease.

What Insurance are you looking for?   PUBLIC LIABILITY - CIVIL LIABILITY  - MANAGEMENT LIABILITY - PERSONAL ACCIDENT - CONTENTS / PROPERTY

A further level of cover is to include personal injury and income protection for members as this reduces the chance of a larger drawn out liability claim. This type of cover includes three areas: medical benefits, total permanent disability / death and time off work described in more details here. Insurers and Brokers encourage business operators to be part of a peak professional body (national and or international association), as they have had to meet a set criteria of expertise to join.

Peak Bodies have a very good understanding of the risks of martial art participation and have guided Underwriters to make sure they know and except these activities in their policy wording and / or endorsements. Martial Arts Australia is the largest by membership and services providing a wide range of free and subsidised products. It’s prestigious membership offers instructors / schools greater credibility and access to business tools / resources along with higher education for coaches. Martial Arts Australia specifically, has a whole range of essential business products (One Stop Shop), providing discounted rates on some leading brands in – software, billing, websites, training courses, promotional videos to name a few.