
As a life coach, you're not just helping people achieve their goals, you're also taking on a level of responsibility for their well-being. This is why professional indemnity insurance is a must-have for any life coach.
You could be sued if a client feels you've given them bad advice or failed to meet their expectations. This is a risk that's hard to quantify, but it's a risk that's very real.
Professional indemnity insurance can help protect your business from these kinds of claims. It can cover the costs of defending yourself in court, as well as any damages you might be ordered to pay.
By having professional indemnity insurance, you'll be able to focus on what matters most – helping your clients achieve their goals – without worrying about the financial risks involved.
What Is Professional Indemnity Insurance?
Professional indemnity insurance is a must-have for life coaches, and it's often referred to as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance.

This type of insurance protects against claims of negligence, which means it could help you defend your business if a client sues you for following your advice.
It's essential to have this coverage in place to safeguard your business and financial stability.
For example, if a client claims that following your advice led to them being fired from their job and sues, E&O insurance could help cover the costs of defending your business.
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Benefits and Importance
Having professional indemnity insurance as a life coach is a must-have, and for good reason. It provides you with financial protection in case of a claim.
With coverage options up to $2 million per claim, you can rest assured that you're protected against potential lawsuits. This is especially important if you're just starting out and don't have the financial resources to deal with a costly lawsuit.
As a life coach, you're likely to encounter clients who may not be happy with the progress they're making or the advice you're giving. But with full consent to settle claims, you can quickly resolve disputes and move forward.
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Telemedicine and telehealth coverage is also a valuable benefit, allowing you to work with clients remotely and still be protected in case of a claim.
License defense coverage is another essential benefit, protecting your professional license in case of a complaint or lawsuit.
General liability coverage is also available, providing additional protection against claims related to your coaching practice.
It's worth noting that defense costs are included in addition to liability limits, so you won't have to worry about paying for your own defense costs.
Here are some of the key benefits of professional indemnity insurance for life coaches:
- Coverage options up to $2 million per claim
- Full consent to settle claims
- Telemedicine/telehealth coverage
- License defense coverage
- General liability available
- Defense costs in addition to liability limits
- Sexual misconduct defense
- HIPAA defense coverage
Who Needs It
If you're a life coach working with clients to change habits, reach goals, and overcome obstacles, you need to consider life coach insurance. Many life coaches operate as independent contractors, but that doesn't mean they're immune to lawsuits.
If you provide consultation to individuals or companies, professional liability insurance is a must. This type of policy will protect you in case a client claims your advice led to financial loss. If you have employees, workers' compensation is also essential.
Risks and Coverage

Professional indemnity insurance for life coaches is essential to protect against claims of negligence. This type of insurance can cover intangible liability, such as being sued for giving bad career or investment advice.
A life coach can be sued for negligence over their advice, breaching confidentiality, or giving bad career or investment advice. For example, a manager hires you to help them develop a professional growth plan, and after following your advice, they get fired instead of getting promoted, they could turn around and sue your business.
Professional liability coverage can protect you from expensive claims, such as a client who claims you gave them the wrong counsel or damaged their relationship with their spouse, boss, or colleagues. This coverage can handle legal defense, costs, and any resulting settlement or damages.
Here are some common claims that professional liability insurance can cover:
- Negligence over advice
- Breach of confidentiality
- Bad career or investment advice
The cost of professional indemnity insurance for life coaches can vary depending on several factors, including risk, location, and revenue. For example, the estimated annual premium for professional liability coverage can range from $600 to $1,150, with a coverage amount of $1 million total coverage and a deductible of $500 per occurrence.
Risks of Being a Coach
As a life coach, you're not just providing advice, you're also taking on potential risks. A client could sue you for negligence over your advice, or for breaching confidentiality.
Professional liability coverage can protect you from expensive claims, such as a client who claims you gave them the wrong counsel. This type of coverage is essential for businesses whose service is advice, like life coaching.
Even if you give people great advice, they might come back to you saying it didn't work for them and decide to sue you for damages. That's why products-completed operations coverage is also important.
A life coach can be sued for negligence over their advice, for breaching confidentiality, or for giving bad career or investment advice. Professional liability insurance helps handle legal defense, costs, and any resulting settlement or damages.
Some common risks of being a life coach include someone getting injured in your office, accidentally damaging furniture or artwork at a venue, or someone claiming you gave poor advice.
Average Costs

Life coach insurance costs vary depending on several factors, but here are some estimated annual premiums to give you an idea of what to expect.
Professional Liability insurance can cost between $600 to $1,150 per year.
General Liability insurance is estimated to be between $350 to $700 annually.
A Business Owner's Policy (BOP) can cost between $485 to $850 per year, with $15,000 in property coverage.
Cyber Liability insurance can range from $320 to $1,400 per year, with a total limit of $1 million.
The estimated costs of these policies vary because insurers consider factors like risk, location, and revenue when calculating premiums.
Claims history, number of employees, services provided, property value, financial advice, mental health, and location are all taken into account when determining the cost of insurance.
Here's a breakdown of estimated annual premiums for different types of insurance:
Finding a Reliable Provider
It's essential to research potential providers before making a decision. This will help you find a reliable provider who can offer the right level of coverage for your life coaching business.

Look for providers that have experience working with life coaches, as they will have a better understanding of the specific risks and challenges you face.
A provider's reputation is crucial, so check online reviews and ask for references from other life coaches to get a sense of their reputation.
Check if the provider offers a claims-made policy, which will cover you for any claims made during the policy period, even if the incident occurred before the policy was taken out.
Check the provider's financial stability, as you want to ensure they will be able to pay out any claims you make.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of liability insurance is recommended for all instructors?
Professional liability insurance, also known as malpractice insurance, is recommended for all instructors to protect against negligence claims related to their professional services or advice
Sources
- https://smartprofessionalindemnityinsurance.com.au/life-coaches/
- https://www.progressivecommercial.com/business-insurance/professions/life-coach-insurance/
- https://www.cmfgroup.com/professional-liability-insurance/health-wellness-professional-insurance/life-coach-insurance/
- https://www.insurancecanopy.com/life-coach-insurance
- https://fitsmallbusiness.com/life-coach-insurance/
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