Yoga teachers may be legally responsible for the well-being of participants on a yoga retreat.
Standard professional liability insurance for teachers will not cover for the following:
- Travel arrangements, including booking taxis and providing transportation
- Trips or tours
- Food and drinks
- Accommodation
Any such services or facilities fall under regulations for tour operators, and you may be held responsible (liable) for any losses or injuries your participants suffer.
It is a legal necessity to have third-party & tour operator liability insurance if you might be classified as a tour operator.
It's best to check with your insurance provider directly.
For YAP members with the Balens Policy offered through membership
You are covered to provide teaching but won't be covered for organising the event. Balens has put together a guide on how the insurance policy responds, and a flyer for events/retreats cover.
If you have organised two or more elements of the retreat, then you are considered a tour operator and require separate insurance.
If you have insurance elsewhere, it is worth checking directly with your insurer!
All the details from Balens can be found here.
Keep in mind that the policy excludes United States of America, Canada, Russia, and Belarus.
If you want to obtain insurance coverage for your upcoming retreats, Balens can provide a quote. Contact them at YAP@balens.co.uk.
Yoga Alliance Professionals Master Teacher Policy
The master policy offers cover for members teaching a yoga class as part of a retreat, provided they are teaching within their insured modality and have completed the necessary risk assessments.