Instructor Liability and Insurance Considerations for Teaching Courses

If you teach a course-whether it’s a yoga class in a community center, a coding bootcamp online, or a workshop at a local college-you’re not just sharing knowledge. You’re taking on real legal risk. One slip on a wet floor, one student injury during physical activity, one claim of emotional harm from harsh feedback-any of these can turn into a lawsuit. And if you don’t have the right insurance, you could be paying out of pocket for legal fees, medical bills, or settlements. This isn’t fear-mongering. It’s reality.

What Exactly Is Instructor Liability?

Instructor liability means you can be held legally responsible if someone gets hurt or suffers damage because of something you did-or didn’t do-while teaching. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t mean harm. Courts look at whether you acted with reasonable care. That’s called negligence.

For example:

• You lead a high-intensity fitness class and don’t offer modifications for beginners. One student pulls a muscle. They sue.
• You run an online business course and share outdated financial advice that leads a student to lose money. They claim you gave professional guidance without credentials.
• You host an in-person writing workshop and leave a loose cable across the floor. A participant trips and breaks their wrist.

In each case, the issue isn’t whether you’re a bad teacher. It’s whether you took basic steps to prevent harm. If you didn’t, you could be liable-even if you’re teaching for free.

Types of Claims You Could Face

Not all liability claims are the same. Here are the most common ones instructors face:

• Physical injury: Falls, strains, burns, or accidents during hands-on activities. Common in fitness, art, culinary, and STEM labs.
• Emotional or psychological harm: A student claims your feedback was so harsh it caused anxiety or depression. This is rising in online courses where tone gets lost.
• Intellectual property infringement: Using copyrighted material-images, videos, articles-in your course without permission. Even if you credit the source, that doesn’t make it legal.
• Breach of contract: Promising outcomes you can’t deliver, like “Get a job in 30 days” or “Master Python in one week.” If the student doesn’t get that result, they may sue for false advertising.
• Data privacy violations: Storing student emails, addresses, or payment info without proper security. If a breach happens, you could be fined under state or federal laws.

These aren’t theoretical. In 2023, the National Association of Independent Trainers reported over 1,200 liability claims against individual instructors-up 40% from 2020. Most were for under $25,000, but legal defense alone averaged $8,000.

Do You Need Insurance?

Yes. Unless you’re teaching under a large institution’s umbrella-like a university or corporate training department-you’re likely on your own legally. Most platforms (Udemy, Teachable, Skillshare) don’t cover you. Their terms say you’re responsible for your own legal risks.

General liability insurance for instructors typically covers:

• Medical expenses for injured students
• Legal defense costs
• Settlements or judgments up to your policy limit
• Property damage caused during your course

Professional liability (also called errors and omissions or E&O) covers claims about your advice, content, or teaching methods. For example, if someone says your financial advice led to a bad investment, this policy kicks in.

Many instructors think, “I teach online-I don’t need insurance.” But online teaching brings its own risks. A student could screenshot your video and claim defamation. Or a platform could suspend your account over a complaint, and you’d need legal help to fight back.

What Coverage Should You Get?

Not all insurance is the same. Here’s what most instructors need:

Most instructors start with general liability and professional liability bundled together. That’s called an instructor liability package. Providers like Hiscox, Thimble, and CoverWallet offer these for under $1,000 a year. You can often buy it monthly.

How to Reduce Your Risk (Even Without Insurance)

Insurance isn’t a substitute for smart practices. Here’s how to lower your risk before you even buy a policy:

• Use clear waivers: Have students sign a liability waiver before attending. It doesn’t make you immune, but it shows you warned them. Templates are available from legal sites like LegalZoom or Rocket Lawyer.
• State your limits: Don’t promise results. Instead of “Become a developer in 30 days,” say “Learn the fundamentals of JavaScript and build three projects.”
• Use licensed materials: Only use images, music, or videos you own, have licensed, or are under Creative Commons with proper attribution. Use sites like Unsplash, Pixabay, or YouTube’s Audio Library.
• Secure student data: Don’t store payment info or Social Security numbers. Use Stripe, PayPal, or Teachable’s built-in payment system. Encrypt emails and files.
• Document everything: Keep records of course materials, student communications, and feedback. If a claim comes up, you’ll need proof of what was taught and how.
• Train for safety: If your course involves movement, equipment, or tools, get certified in first aid and risk management. It’s not just for gyms-cooking instructors, robotics teachers, and even VR trainers benefit from this.

What Happens If You Don’t Have Insurance?

Let’s say a student sues you for $15,000 in medical bills after falling during a dance class. You don’t have insurance. Now you’re facing:

• $5,000-$10,000 in legal fees just to respond to the lawsuit
• Time spent in court, depositions, and meetings with lawyers
• Potential wage garnishment or bank levies if you lose
• Damage to your reputation-even if you win, people may avoid you

Some instructors try to self-insure by setting aside money. But $15,000 is a lot to save up. And what if two students sue you in the same year?

Insurance is cheap compared to the cost of one mistake. For less than the price of a new laptop, you can get protection that covers you for years.

Where to Get Insurance

Not all insurers understand teaching. Look for providers who specialize in educators, coaches, or freelancers. Here are three trusted options in the U.S. as of 2025:

• Hiscox: Offers bundled general and professional liability. Easy online application. Covers both in-person and online teaching.
• Thimble: Pay-as-you-go coverage. Buy insurance by the day, week, or month. Great for pop-up workshops or one-off events.
• CoverWallet: Compares multiple providers. Good if you want to shop around for the best price.

Don’t buy from a general business insurer unless they specifically list “instructors” or “educators” as covered. Most won’t.

Common Myths About Instructor Insurance

Here’s what people get wrong:

• Myth: “My home insurance covers my teaching.” Truth: Homeowners policies explicitly exclude business activities. You’re not covered.
• Myth: “I teach for free, so I can’t be sued.” Truth: You can be sued regardless of payment. A student doesn’t need to pay you to claim harm.
• Myth: “The platform I use covers me.” Truth: Udemy, Teachable, and others disclaim all liability. You’re on your own.
• Myth: “I’m too small to be targeted.” Truth: Lawsuits aren’t about size. They’re about money and opportunity. A $500 claim is worth filing if your insurance isn’t there.

Final Checklist: Are You Protected?

Before you teach your next course, ask yourself:

• Do I have a written waiver signed by every student?
• Do I use only licensed or original content in my materials?
• Do I avoid making guarantees about outcomes?
• Do I store student data securely?
• Do I have liability insurance that covers both physical and professional risks?

If you answered no to any of these, you’re exposed. Fixing it now takes less time than dealing with a lawsuit later.