Class by class, studio by studio
Many teachers cover a timetable across several studios, gyms and community halls, add private clients and run a retreat or workshop now and then. Each class pays only if you teach it. Cancel because you are ill and the studio finds a cover teacher.
Online classes have given many teachers a steadier income, though they still need you well enough to lead them. A long illness affects those classes as much as the studio timetable.
Some teachers rent a hall and sell their own class passes. That brings more income but also costs that carry on when you cannot teach.
Teachers who run retreats or teacher training courses often take bookings and deposits months ahead. Illness can mean refunds as well as lost earnings, so think about how long you could manage before choosing a waiting period.
How insurers treat a teacher's income
Insurers use the profit from your tax return, typically averaged over two or three years. Teaching income often grows as your reputation builds, so recent growth might not show fully yet.
If you also have a part-time employed job, insurers add the income together. Retreat income counts if it is declared and regular.
Many teachers trained after leaving another career, sometimes keeping part of that old job. If so, insurers will ask about both roles and may class you on the one that takes most of your time.
- Keep your tax returns and records of studio payments
- Mention private clients and online classes
- Tell us if you teach overseas retreats
Injury, demonstration and risk class
Yoga looks gentle, but teachers demonstrate poses many times a day, adjust students and can overstretch. Hip, knee, wrist and lower back injuries are common. Insurers group jobs into risk classes and usually see fitness teaching as more physical than desk work.
Own occupation cover pays if you cannot work as a yoga teacher. If you are offered a wider definition, we explain what it means. Teachers who mainly instruct verbally and demonstrate little may be rated differently.
Pilates, barre and hot yoga teachers are usually grouped with yoga teachers, but some insurers ask the type of class you teach. Describe it plainly so the insurer can rate you correctly.
Choosing your wait and protecting home
If studios pay you nothing when you are off, a shorter deferred period gets help to you sooner. If you have savings, a longer one costs less.
If you die while the policy runs, life insurance pays one sum to the people you choose. It protects a mortgage, a partner or children. Being fit and a non-smoker can help keep the price down.
There is no fee for our advice. We show you how life cover and income protection fit together, and whether critical illness cover adds anything for you.
How Hi Tomorrow helps yoga teachers
We explain your teaching to insurers in clear terms, compare definitions and prices, and help you complete the application accurately. If you claim, we help you gather the evidence of earnings and medical reports the insurer asks for.