Mobile Gym Training: What Insurance Do You Need?

Since March of this year when COVID-19 became a stark reality, things have been changing rapidly and many times without warning. Business owners have been doing all they can to adapt and keep their businesses running.

Like so many others, gyms were forced to temporarily close due to the pandemic and owners had to come up with creative solutions, including providing mobile training services. This typically involves an RV that has been retrofitted to be a “gym on wheels,” but other types of vehicles can be used as well. While we are always impressed by the creativity of gym owners and applaud their efforts, it is equally important to understand how risk exposures change when implementing a new program or type of operation.

Commercial Liability

The first and arguably most important is Liability insurance. Liability covers your business for bodily injury and property damage to third parties.  A vast majority of Liability policies restrict coverage to a specific area (typically the brick and mortar of the physical location) meaning that if a claim were to occur off-site, coverage could be denied. This is not ideal for a mobile gym or any operation that trains members exclusively off-site or remotely. This restriction is commonly referred to as a “Designated Premises Endorsement.” Since a mobile gym needs to have the freedom to train members anywhere, obtaining an insurance policy without this endorsement is crucial.

Automobile Liability

The next thing to consider is an auto policy for the RV itself. The Liability policy referenced above will only extend coverage to the fitness portion of the operations, not the vehicle (including while it is in motion to or from a location or when it is used for non-business related purposes). This leaves a large gap as traveling to clients is a requirement for a mobile gym. Therefore, an auto policy is a must have. Not only is it a legal requirement to have auto insurance, but it will also provide coverage in case there is an accident or damage to the RV itself.

Contents Coverage

Property insurance is another essential consideration. This covers your equipment from exposures such as fire, theft, water damage, damage from wind & hail, etc. Like the Liability coverage, some carriers restrict coverage to a certain area. It is important for any mobile fitness facility to obtain property coverage that does not restrict coverage to a specific location. Since a mobile gym can be training anywhere, it is important to obtain a policy that will cover your equipment wherever you go.

Optional Policies

Other types of insurance to consider are Workers Compensation and Participant Accident Insurance. However, the Liability, Auto, and Property policies are what we would consider requirements for any mobile fitness operations.

How we can help!

If you are considering starting or are already operating a mobile gym and need insurance, our NEXOFit team can help find the right coverages for your business. We work with all types of fitness facilities whether mobile or otherwise. Feel free to visit our website or reach out to us with any questions at . 

Most importantly, we are all in this together and will get to the other side - just hopefully sooner rather than later!