Yoga is relaxing and goats are adorable! Insurance claims are neither.
Even with the friendliest goats and every safety precaution in place, accidents, injuries, and other mishaps can still happen.
Learn About Common Goat Yoga Insurance Claims
According to the founders of Original Goat Yoga, the most likely risks related to the goats during a yoga class include:
- Chewing/eating things
- Biting
- Stepping on hands or feet
- Allergic reactions
- Headbutting
The Goat That Ate the Wedding Ring
Goats are said to eat almost anything. Maybe that’s because they tend to be inquisitive animals who explore the world with their mouths. (How else can they explore when they have no hands?)
Because of this curiosity, goats often nibble on zippers, drawstrings, jewelry, fingers, and whatever else they find. If a participant isn’t paying attention, this may lead to a damaged mat, chewed-up shoelaces, or permanently missing jewelry.
If a student loses their wedding ring while attending a class you’re leading and you’re blamed for the disappearance, your goat yoga insurance is designed to help you cover that loss.
Charlie the Goat Bit My Finger!
All animals can bite. However, Goat bites are usually minimal and won’t break the skin because they don’t have upper front teeth. But they do have strong, sharp back teeth that can result in a painful bite and broken skin.
Goat yoga teacher insurance is designed to help pay for medical costs if a bite is severe enough to warrant medical attention.
Hand, Foot, and Ouch!
Goats are hooved animals and don’t care about delicate fingers and toes, so they may end up stepping on participants’ exposed piggies. This could cause the person’s skin to bruise, nail to crack, or, in rare cases, break the digit.
Goat Allergies
Watery eyes and an itchy red rash can indicate allergic reactions to goats in class, something on the goats’ fur, or another environmental allergen (like pollen). In rare cases, the allergic reaction could escalate into something severe that needs urgent medical attention.
Butting Heads
Goats have thick skulls and sometimes play with each other by butting heads. Despite warnings not to headbutt the goats themselves, a class participant who ignores this rule may end up with a gnarly headache, an open cut, a black eye, or worse.
While most goats won’t headbutt you first, it happens occasionally. Headbutts to other areas like the thigh or back can result in bruises or other injury.
Zoo Dystopia
While uncommon, there’s a risk of infection from bites or preexisting cuts that get exposed to dirt, goat saliva, or other germs. Even rarer are cases of zoonotic diseases — infectious illnesses that transfer from animals to humans.
Goat or No Goat
Many classes may be more about the goats than the yoga, but even a basic yoga class has its own risks.
Accidents and injuries in yoga with and without goats include things like:
- A goat bleats and startles one of your students, causing them to lose their balance and fall into and injure another class member
- A goat lays down between someone’s legs, leading the person to twist their knee to the point of injury
- A participant sprains their wrist from repeated chaturangas
- A class member trips over your mat on their way into class
- A yoga newbie pulls a hamstring while performing downward dog
Goat yoga teacher insurance is designed to protect you from paying out of pocket for claims like these and goat-related incidents.
Stay Protected with Goat Yoga Insurance
Goat-for-hire companies often provide at least one Goat Wrangler to travel with and supervise the animals. Even with a wrangler’s assistance, mishaps can’t be avoided every time. There’s always the chance someone will include your name on a lawsuit or become injured due to the yoga portion of your class.
Pro Tip: Use yoga liability waivers in every class for an additional layer of protection.
Ensure you have a safety net for events like these with goat yoga liability insurance from Insurance Canopy.
For as little as $15 per month or $159 per year, you get coverage for:
- Third-party injuries and property damage
- Errors or omissions in your yoga instruction (also known as professional liability insurance)
- Medical expenses for injuries regardless of fault
Personalize your plan with optional add-on coverages like Gear and Equipment Coverage (also known as inland marine), which can help repair or replace your equipment if the herd turns your blocks into snacks or bolsters into toys. Learn more about what yoga teacher insurance covers in our comprehensive guide.
Don’t kid around with your business! Get comprehensive goat yoga instructor insurance today!
FAQs About Goat Yoga Insurance Claims
Do You Need a License for Goat Yoga?
You need an appropriate yoga instructor certification, but you do not need a separate license to teach goat yoga.
However, depending on local laws, the goat owners and/or venue may require specific licenses or permits to host a goat yoga class.
Does This Policy Cover Other Forms of Yoga?
Yes! This policy can cover over 40 types of yoga, including hot yoga, pre-natal yoga, and more. Check out our full list of covered yoga modalities.
Does This Policy Cover Other Farm-Related Activities I Offer, Like Petting Zoos or Farm Tours?
No. This policy is designed for yoga instructors only. It covers a variety of yoga styles, including goat yoga, puppy yoga, or kitten yoga, but no additional farm or animal-related activities.
Does This Policy Cover Injury to the Goats?
No. This policy applies to instructors and their human students only. The farm, organization, or owner who provides the goats should handle their care.
