Why does a first aid trainer need insurance?
Training error
When you’re responsible for imparting first aid knowledge, the consequences of making a mistake could have an impact. After leading a first aid at work course, you receive a note from the company saying their group wasn’t given the appropriate training. Even if you believe you delivered the correct session, you’ll need to defend yourself if they file a claim against your business for negligence.
Adding professional indemnity cover to your first aid training insurance can help fund legal defence and any settlement.
Employee injury
You run a fast-growing business specialising in paediatric first aid training. This mostly involves working with schools, so you find demand surges close to the start of term.
Hiring other first aid trainers allows you to deal with a busy September – but you could need employers’ liability insurance for additional risks. When one of your new hires sustains a sprained wrist while carrying a box of mannequins, they attempt to sue for damages – fortunately, your first aid insurance can help to cover the cost.
Stolen equipment
You’re hired to attend a corporate first aid awareness event – thankfully the day goes smoothly and you leave feeling that your message was delivered well. You kept a spare first aid bag locked in a room after the morning’s chest compression demonstrations, but when you go to collect it, it’s been stolen.
Since Hiscox’s portable equipment insurance is built into your first aid policy, we can help to pay for replacement kit.
What insurance is available for first aid training?
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance helps first aid training businesses deal with the risk that comes with giving advice and delivering a service. This type of work can lead to complaints, such as claims of professional negligence if the guidance you provide has negative consequences – for instance, if you teach an outdated move to dislodge airways when someone is choking, your client might take legal action if they harm someone with their first aid.
Insurance can help fund a legal defence and take care of compensation pay-outs.
Public liability insurance
When you’re a first aid trainer, or a first aider, working with people is part of what you do, so insurance can help mitigate associated risks. If a leg splint is left on the floor at a village fete, an attendee could trip over it and injure their wrist, or you might spill coffee on a laptop belonging to someone taking training notes.
A public liability policy can cover legal defence costs and compensation if someone says they became injured, or their property was damaged, because of your business.
Portable equipment insurance
For a first aider, equipment is vital. It can also be costly to replace, so safeguarding your resuscitation kit and defibrillator could be important. You use CPR training manikins and casualty simulation equipment to teach first aid – portable equipment insurance can pay for repairs and replacements if these items go missing or become damaged. This cover is also known as property away and in transit insurance.
If you experience mechanical or electrical failure of crucial kit such as oxygen regulators, adding equipment breakdown cover to your policy means you can be covered up to £15,000.
Insurance for first aid trainers can be tailored to also include personal accident cover, cyber insurance, legal protection and employers’ liability insurance – which may be a legal requirement (external link) if you have staff. If you work from permanent premises or have stock, tailored office insurance might help.
These are just some of the types of business insurance we can offer first aid trainers. Build a policy tailored to the requirements of your business.
Get your quoteFirst aid insurance: FAQs
Do you need insurance to be a first aid trainer?
There are several insurance products you may feel you need when you become a first aider, due to the position of responsibility you hold.
When you administer aid, there’s a chance someone might say you got it wrong. Professional treatment liability cover can step in if you’re accused of malpractice or negligence by helping to pay for legal fees and compensation.
Other covers may also be practical. If you’re self-employed, personal accident insurance can keep your finances on track, while public liability insurance may be a key consideration. Safeguarding your equipment might bring you reassurance, while employers' liability could even be required by law (external link) if you employ another first aider.
Is directors’ and officers’ insurance necessary for first aid trainers?
The only type of business insurance that is sometimes legally required in the UK is employers’ liability, but some first aid training business leaders consider directors’ and officers’ insurance necessary for them.
This is a type of management liability insurance designed to protect directors and other decision-makers from the risk of being held personally liable for issues such as failure to uphold health and safety regulations. It helps to meet compensation demands in such cases, protecting your finances and assets.
You might stand to benefit from this type of insurance if you’re one of the company directors of a first aid training business.
Does my business insurance cover me for defibrillator training?
As long as you’ve provided us with the full details of what you’re qualified to do within your role, and training others on the use of defibrillators is listed, then your business insurance will cover you for this work.
Teaching first aid involves understanding the nuances of health and illness in different people. We appreciate that this means having a comprehensive understanding and varied skillset, so we will strive to work with you and ensure your cover meets with your knowledge and qualifications.
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