Tutoring as a career can seem like a simple, risk-free option that usually only involves managing yourself and your clients. Unless you run a tutoring company where Employer’s Liability insurance is necessary, taking out other forms of insurance can often be easily overlooked and might even seem like a good place to save money.
However, despite the somewhat risk-free nature of the job, it’s not as risk-free as it might seem. But how can teaching children or young people lead to potential problems? Why would paperwork and a lesson plan equate to a hefty insurance claim made against you? If you are a private tutor, we’ve put together this guide to help.
What Are The Risks?
Depending on your tutoring style, you might think there aren’t many, if any risks involved in sitting down and teaching a student your chosen subject. Some areas of education might require a more physical lesson, such as P.E., music or swimming lessons with more obvious risks, but what about those with an otherwise sedentary style? Well, risks can come in all shapes and forms, including but not limited to:
- Damage caused by your business activity – e.g. a coffee is spilt on a laptop or school work, your pen leaks on their furniture, you damage their property with your car when parking or leaving at the end of the day
- Injuries caused by your work or your property – e.g. the student trips on your bag while moving around the room, another family member trips over the wire to your laptop, you spill a drink and someone slips
- The student fails their class – e.g. if the student goes through tutoring and still fails the class or what they’re being tutored for, the parent blames your teaching and claims of inadequate work
- Damage caused to your property – e.g. a student damages your notes or textbooks, an accident in the home leads to spillages over your bag, laptop etc.
While the very base of the job might seem risk-free for the most part, the risks involved are still very much worth considering. If you’re planning to become a tutor or are just getting started, looking into the insurance policies available to you could help you prepare for any potential accidents or incidents and therefore protect your business financially.
What Insurance Is Available?
Knowing what insurance products are available can help you determine which ones might suit your business best. Whether it’s public liability insurance for Private Tutors to cover you in case of third-party or client injury or illness, or professional indemnity insurance to protect your business and reputation in case of claims involving professional misconduct, the products you could consider include:
- Public Liability Insurance – This is one of the key policies you could consider no matter the business you are running, particularly if you’re working with children. Any damage made to the client’s property or any injury sustained by the student while being tutored can all be claimed for by the student or their parents, so it’s essential to make sure you have liability insurance in place to protect yourself and your business against the financial strain of these claims.
- Professional Indemnity Insurance – Professional indemnity insurance is designed to protect you against claims made by clients who may have experienced a loss as a result of your mistakes or business practices. In tutoring, this could look like a poor grade or incorrect information being given, or even important topics being missed during your lessons. Insurance will cover you financially in these cases.
- Employer’s Liability Insurance – If your company has at least one employee, then you are legally required to have Employer’s Liability Insurance. This protects you and your employees in case of their injury or illness while at work or as a result of the work, and is a must if you plan to or are already hiring additional staff.
Do I Need It?
With the exception of Employer’s Liability Insurance, there is no legal requirement for any other kind of insurance if you are a private tutor or plan to start a tutoring business. However, while it is not legally required, it is definitely something worth considering and could save you a lot of hassle and money in the future. Some key reasons you might want to consider insurance include:
- Protection for your business – If you have insurance in place, any claims made against you following an accident will usually be covered by the policy. This means that financially, your company won’t be caught out with any hefty legal bills or compensation requirements.
- Clients may prefer it – As in any business, some clients might prefer you to have insurance before agreeing to hire you. Having insurance in place can set you apart from your competitors and make you appear more professional to potential clients.
- Protection for You – When running your own business, particularly one in which you are the only employee, any potential claims made against the business can affect you directly. This can be financially, and reputationally.
If you’re considering insurance for your Private Tutor business, Ashburnham Insurance is on hand to help. Simply get in touch with a member of our team on 0800 1696137 for help finding the right policy or for more information.