Get a Massage Therapist (RMT) Insurance Quote

What is massage therapist (RMT) insurance?

Massage therapist insurance is a type of business insurance. It provides coverages specific to the risks faced by RMTs in Canada. This includes professional liability, property damage and third-party injury.

Massage therapist insurance can be customized to fit the specific needs of your business. Beyond the basic coverages that policies typically include, add-ons can be used to extend the amount and types of protection included.

Who needs massage therapist insurance?

Massage therapist insurance is useful to anyone who offers massage therapy services, or operates a business offering massage therapy. While not a mandatory requirement for RMTs to operate in Canada, insurance coverage is highly recommended for all professionals in the industry.

Whether you own a building and have several employees providing massage therapy services, or you work out of a home studio as a sole proprietor, getting insurance is advisable.

Massage therapist insurance is customizable, so you're able to get the amount of coverage that's applicable to you.

What does massage therapist insurance cover my business for?

Massage therapist insurance typically covers the following areas:

• Professional liability: Also known as malpractice insurance, this covers you if a client claims they were injured as a result of receiving treatment. For example, if a client accuses you of causing nerve damage during a massage, this coverage will help with the legal fees.
• General liability: Protects against claims of bodily injury or property damage that occur on your premises. Let's say a client slips and falls down some stairs as you're showing them to the treatment room. General liability coverage will help pay for the medical and legal fees.
• Business interruption: Covers lost income if your practice is temporarily unable to operate due to a covered event, like a fire or flood. It will help pay for ongoing expenses, like rent and employee salaries.

What insurance coverage add-ons are recommended for massage therapists?

In addition to standard coverage, there are several add-ons that can provide extra protection for your practice:

• Contents insurance: Covers your business equipment, such as massage tables and other tools, against theft or damage.
• Legal expense insurance: Provides coverage for legal costs in case you need to defend yourself against a lawsuit.
• Commercial auto insurance: If you visit clients in their homes and drive a vehicle to your appointments, then your vehicle should be covered as part of your business. This type of coverage protects your vehicle and the contents within (it would protect your massage table, for example) while you're on the road.

There are other types of business insurance coverages that massage therapists may wish to add to their policy, depending on their own specific needs. These examples are merely common selections for RMTs in Canada.

How much does massage therapist insurance cost in Canada?

The cost of massage therapist insurance varies widely based on several factors. Whether you visit clients at their homes, operate out of your own home or have a building that your business operates from will heavily impact your rate.

Other factors, like whether you're a sole proprietor or have staff, also impact what you'll pay for insurance.

With that in mind, RMTs in Canada can expect to pay between $300 to $1,500 annually, depending on the extent of coverage and additional add-ons. However, some practitioners may need to pay more for coverage.

To get a more accurate sense of the cost of RMT insurance for your own business, you'll need to get a quote.

What factors determine the cost of massage therapist insurance rates?

The size and location of your massage therapy business will contribute to determining the cost of insurance coverage. Other factors include your experience and qualifications - the longer you've been in business, especially if you've gone a long time without filing a claim - and whether you choose a named perils or comprehensive coverage.

A named perils policy protects you from only the hazards specified by your policy, whereas a comprehensive policy will protect you from all hazards inherent to the massage therapy industry.

All in all, the range in cost for RMT insurance is quite broad, reflecting the diversity in business structures across the country.

How does massage therapist insurance work?

Here are some scenarios that demonstrate how massage therapist insurance can protect RMTs in Canada.

• Client injury: If a client sustains an injury during a massage and takes legal action, the professional liability portion of your insurance policy will help cover the legal fees.
• Equipment damage: Massage tables are expensive. If yours happens to break, massage therapist insurance will help cover the cost of a replacement.
• Claims of malpractice: If a client claims you made inappropriate physical contact during the course of a massage, your insurance policy would help pay for the legal fees.
• Loss or damage to a client's property: If a client's personal belongings are damaged or stolen while in your care, the property damage portion of your insurance policy will help cover the cost of replacement or repairs.

In cases such as these, your policy can help cover costs up to the specified limits, minus your deductible. Both the limits and deductibles of a policy can be adjusted at your discretion, and will impact the premiums you pay for coverage.

How to get the cheapest massage therapist insurance quote

Finding the most affordable massage therapist insurance doesn’t mean you have to compromise on coverage. Here are some tips to help you get the best rates:

• Compare quotes: The absolute best way to get the lowest price on insurance coverage is to get quotes from multiple insurance providers. This enables you to shop the market rather than taking the first price you see.
• Bundle policies: Consider bundling your professional liability and general liability into one policy to save money.
• Increase deductibles: The more you're willing to pay in the event a claim is filed - e.g. the higher you set your deductible - the lower your premiums will be. But while this is a good way to reduce the cost of insurance, it's important to make sure you will be able to afford the cost of making a claim when the time comes.