# Insurance for martial arts schools, dojos and self defence classes in Germany

> In a martial arts school, physical contact is part of the lesson. Throws, kicks and locks are intended, yet not every injury on the mat is simply bad luck. If a child falls during an unsupervised moment in a kids' class, or a coach goes too hard in sparring, the question of liability comes up quickly. Whether you run a dojo, a boxing gym or self defence classes in a rented sports hall in Germany, this page explains what you need and what it costs.

Quelle/Source: https://www.nammert.com/en/business-insurance-martial-arts-school.php  
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Is my martial arts school liable if a member gets injured in training?

Not automatically. People who train in martial arts accept the usual risks. Liability arises if you are accused of a mistake: a poor sparring match up, missing supervision in a kids' class, worn mats. Your business liability insurance then examines the claim, pays justified claims and defends unjustified ones. For injuries without fault, only accident insurance helps.

## At a glance

- **Compulsory:** No statutory insurance duty for commercial martial arts schools in Germany; hall landlords and partners such as schools often require liability cover in the contract
- **Biggest risk:** Injured participants, especially children, when supervision, choice of exercises or equipment is later criticised
- **Basic cover from:** about €150 a year for the business liability of a self employed coach, a guide figure from our quoting work
- **Supervision:** Anyone who takes on the supervision of minors by contract is liable for damage they cause to others unless supervision was properly carried out (section 832 German Civil Code)
- **Often forgotten:** Accidents nobody is to blame for: liability only pays if the school is responsible. For ordinary sports injuries you need accident cover

## What goes wrong in this trade

- **Sparring injury:** A beginner is paired with a much heavier partner and suffers a broken jaw. The accusation: a wrong match up.
- **Kids' class:** While the coach takes a phone call, a child jumps off the wall bars and gets hurt. The parents claim there was no supervision.
- **Mats and equipment:** A shifted mat edge or a broken heavy bag hook leads to a fall.
- **Your own body:** Cruciate ligament, shoulder, nose: coaches get injured themselves and are out for weeks.
- **Damage to rented halls:** During a seminar in a rented sports hall the floor is damaged.
- **Disputes over fees:** Members cancel after an injury and demand their fees back; the school has to defend itself.

**Risk radar** (Compared with other trades, 1 low to 5 high.): Liability 5, Fire and water 3, Theft 2, Cyber 2, Downtime 3, Health 5

## The insurance you need

- **Business liability** (Essential): Covers claims from injured participants and third parties, supervision of children and damage to rented halls. Martial arts must be named explicitly as the insured activity. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-liability.php
- **Group accident insurance** (Strongly advised): Pays fixed sums for injured members or course participants, even if the school is not at fault. That prevents many disputes. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-group-accident.php
- **Accident insurance** (Strongly advised): For you as a coach: permanent consequences of an accident, in training and in your free time. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-accident-insurance.php
- **Business contents** (Strongly advised): For mats, bags, ring, mirrors and cash against fire, burglary and water damage. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-contents.php
- **Business interruption** (Depends on the business): Pays rent and running costs if the school has to close after water damage. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-interruption.php
- **Occupational disability** (Depends on the business): Protects your income if injury or illness permanently stops you teaching. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-occupational-disability.php
- **Business legal expenses** (Depends on the business): For disputes with members over contracts and fees, with your landlord and with staff. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-legal-expenses.php

## What it costs: example prices

Premiums depend on the number of members and coaches, the share of children, and whether you offer full contact, competitions or only self defence.

| Insurance | Example | Typical range |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Business liability | Self employed self defence coach, €3 million cover | about €150 to €350 a year |
| Business liability | Martial arts school with 200 members and kids' classes, €5 million cover | about €500 to €1,400 a year |
| Group accident insurance | 200 members, €50,000 base sum per person | about €1,000 to €2,500 a year |
| Accident insurance | Coach aged 35, €150,000 base sum with progression | about €250 to €550 a year |
| Business contents | Mats, ring and equipment worth €40,000 | about €200 to €500 a year |

For comparison: Liability cover for a mid sized martial arts school costs about as much a year as ten to twenty monthly memberships.

_All figures are guide values from our quoting work, excluding German insurance premium tax, as of October 2026. We found no published tariffs specifically for martial arts schools; the sources document the legal position. We obtain the exact quote for you._

- [Gesetze im Internet: section 832 German Civil Code, liability of persons with a duty to supervise](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__832.html)
- [Gesetze im Internet: section 2 Social Code VII, compulsory accident insurance](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_7/__2.html)
- [Gesetze im Internet: section 6 Social Code VII, voluntary insurance](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_7/__6.html)

## Our suggestions: three packages

- **Coach** (self employed coaches and self defence classes in rented halls): Business liability, Accident insurance. Together: about €400 to €900 a year
- **Dojo** (martial arts schools and dojos with their own premises and kids' classes): Business liability, Group accident insurance, Business contents, Accident insurance. Together: about €1,900 to €4,900 a year
- **Centre** (larger school with employees, several styles and a competition team): Business liability, Group accident insurance, Business contents, Business interruption, Business legal expenses. Together: about €3,500 to €8,000 a year

## The worst day in the dojo

Six things that really happen to martial arts schools, all on one Saturday with a kids' class and a seminar. Tap through and see who pays.

- 09:30: In the kids' class a boy jumps off the wall bars and breaks his arm. The parents claim there was no supervision. (€5,000, Paid by: Business liability)
- 11:00: A participant twists his knee on his own: torn ligament. (€4,000, Paid by: Group accident insurance)
- 13:15: In sparring a beginner paired with a much heavier partner suffers a broken jaw. (€12,000, Paid by: Business liability)
- 15:40: You demonstrate a throw and tear your shoulder. (€15,000, Paid by: Accident insurance)
- 18:20: A member cancels after the injury and sues for a refund of the annual fee. (€1,200, Paid by: Business legal expenses)
- 23:50: A water pipe above the training room bursts and the mats are soaked. (€6,500, Paid by: Business contents)

**Damage so far:** €43,700

## Practical tips from your broker

- Have your martial arts, full contact, competitions and kids' classes named explicitly in the liability policy.
- Pair sparring partners by weight and experience and write down your rules.
- Check mats and equipment regularly and keep a written record.
- Take out group accident cover for members; it defuses disputes after injuries nobody caused.
- For seminars in other halls, check whether damage to rented property is included in your liability cover.
- If you teach yourself, cover your own accident risk; as a business owner you are not automatically covered by statutory accident insurance.

## Why NAMMERT for your business

- **Martial arts properly in the policy:** Not every insurer accepts full contact or competitions. As an insurance broker we compare several offers and check that your teaching is really covered.
- **Liability and accident cover together:** Liability and group accident cover complement each other. We align both so members are not left with a lawsuit as their only option.
- **Business and private in one place:** Norman Nammert, your insurance broker, looks after your school and your own accident and income protection together.
- **Family business, placing cover since 1989:** Our work is free for you; the insurer pays our commission. We advise in English or German.

## FAQ

### Is insurance compulsory for martial arts schools in Germany?

There is no statutory insurance duty. Hall landlords and partners often require liability cover, and without it you bear every claim yourself.

### Do I have to pay if a member gets injured in training?

Only if you or your coaches made a mistake. Athletes bear the usual risk of injury themselves. Your liability insurer examines whether there was a mistake.

### How am I liable in kids' classes?

Under section 832 of the German Civil Code, anyone who takes on supervision of minors is liable for damage the children cause to others if supervision was not properly carried out. If a child hurts itself, your duty of care is what counts.

### What does liability insurance for a martial arts school cost?

About €150 to €350 a year for a self employed coach and about €500 to €1,400 for a school with around 200 members. These are guide values from our quoting work.

### Are my employees covered for accidents?

Yes, employees are covered by statutory accident insurance by law. Members and course participants are not covered through your school.

### Does my liability cover competitions?

Only if competitions are included. Ask explicitly, especially for full contact and events you organise yourself.

## Request quotes

We obtain quotes and come back with a comparison, free of charge. You can write in English. https://www.nammert.com/en/business-insurance-martial-arts-school.php#anfrage

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Your broker: Norman Nammert, trading as NAMMERT. Insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act. Broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37. NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH is a separate company. It does not arrange your contract.

NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH, Karl-Marx-Straße 4, 15711 Königs Wusterhausen, +49 3375 29 12 77, info@nammert.com. Wikidata: Q141141479.