Martial Arts

COVERING ALL MARTIAL ARTS STYLES

Martial Arts Insurance is a specialised niche market and needs its own product, because the cover is required to be very broad, so it includes a wide range of activities spread across multiple different styles. We have spent significant time working with Underwriters making sure they understand the industry and their products cover gyms / clubs / schools appropriately. You don’t want to find out that you policy doesn't cover what you do, when you need to make a claim.


A broker needs to be aware of the differences between Karate and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for example, so they will be able to understand how incidents happen. Other elements to be aware of are how classes are conducted, matching partners, (weight / height / age divisions) giving instruction, supervising the mats and the intensity of workouts for example. This knowledge is especially important if there is a potential claim as the the broker needs the appropriate experience, to help the club owner get the best outcome. Essential incident reporting by the insured, combined with an in depth knowledge of martial arts operations by the broker, can be difference between a claim escalating or going away.


Martial Arts School operators new to the professional side of the industry may ask, what insurance cover is the absolute minimum, as price being most instructors' priority. Some business operators believe all they are required to have is Public Liability, so they can rent / lease their facility and run classes. This is true, public liability insurance is generally all the landlord will ask for, in order to hand over the keys. However, some landlords are being advised by smart lawyers, to ask their tenets to include professional indemnity / civil liability. This is because its much more likely that the tenet will be sued for giving the wrong advice / coaching direction, than a slip & trip public liability cover. The lawyer’s reasoning is if the tenet is fighting a claim with just public liability, it could compromise their business and their ability to service the lease.  Our specialty brokers understand how martial arts businesses operate so we are happy to speak your language, contact us today.
Need help setting up your school? We know Martial Arts Australia can provide support in a number of ways, here is their site: www.MartialArtsAustralia.com.au
Want to keep up to date on the latest martial arts trends, events and stories? We know Australasian Martial Arts Mag has great insights, check them out!

MARTIAL ARTS STYLES

Here are some styles but not limited too...

  • BRAZILIAN JUI JITSU

    Brazilian Jiu Jitsu installs the hypothesis that by enforcing adequate method, a lower, less powerful individual can effectively protect against a heavier, stronger, larger assailant. To defeat the adversary, BJJ applies joint locks and choke-holds. BJJ training can be used to compete or self-defence sport grappling tournaments and mixed martial arts. Upholding the assumption that most of the benefit of a bigger, stronger opponent comes from superior reach and more strong strikes, both of which are mitigated when grappling on the floor, Brazilian jiu-jitsu emphasises bringing an opponent to the floor to use ground combat methods and submission holds involving joint locks and chokeholds. A more accurate way to describe this would be to say that physical strength can be offset or improved on the floor by an experienced grappler who understands how to maximise force using mechanical advantage rather than sheer physical strength. After getting a grip, BJJ allows a broad range of methods to bring the battle to the floor. While other combat sports, such as Judo and Wrestling, almost always use a takedown to take an opponent to the floor, one choice in BJJ is to "pull guard," which involves gripping the opponent and then bringing the battle or match to the mat by sitting directly down. Once the opponent is on the floor, there are several maneuvers (and counter-maneuvers) available to manipulate the opponent into an appropriate situation to apply a submission method. Achieving a dominant stance on the floor is one of the hallmarks of the BJJ style and involves efficient use of the position of the guard (a signature position of BJJ) to protect yourself from the bottom (using both submissions and sweeps, with sweeps leading to the possibility of a dominant situation or the chance of passing the guard) and allowing the guard to dominate from the top with side control, mount, and back mount positions. When used by two experienced practitioners, this system of maneuvering and manipulation can be compared to a form of kinetic chess. A submission hold is the equivalent of a sport checkmate, reflecting a drawback that would be highly hard to overcome in a battle (such as a dislocated joint or unconsciousness).

  • AIKIDO

    Aikido is a cutting edge Japanese military workmanship created by Morihei Ueshiba as a union of his military examinations, theory and religious convictions. Ueshiba's objective was to make a workmanship that professionals could use to guard themselves while likewise shielding their aggressor from damage. Aikido is regularly deciphered as "the method for binding together (with) life vitality" or as "the method for amicable soul". Aikido's strategies include: irimi (entering), and tenkan (turning) developments (that divert the adversary's assault energy), different sorts of tosses and joint locks. Aikido is a successful military craftsmanship for self protection, not just in light of the fact that it shows us how to guard against an assortment of assaults, but since it is likewise preparing our perspective and physical condition. Improved stance and breathing assistance us to fit better into our bodies; a positive perspective influences how we move on the planet and how we are seen by others. The capacity to keep up physical focus and mental quiet encourages us in gathering distressing circumstances or in settling struggle in an assortment of circumstances – in the dojo, in the city, at school, in a conference, or at home. Most hand to hand fighting can enable us to improve physical things like equalisation, timing, and response. One of the motivations behind continued preparing is to move these things from cognizant handling to programmed reflex. Aikido likewise encourages us build up our soul, feeling of prosperity, mindfulness and empathy. The multi-faceted way to deal with Aikido preparing makes us more grounded and progressively complete people, better ready to diffuse or protect against antagonistic circumstances.

  • KARATE

    One of the most famous martial arts in the world, Karate relies on intense physical coordination and mental concentrate. Karate is a extremely efficient self-defence mechanism, as well as an outstanding type of practice that enhances a number of life skills, values and health. The martial art karate was not created in China, contrary to common view. Rather, the island of Okinawa in Japan has its roots. The term "Karate" implies the "empty hand" or "Chinese hand," and this name has been given as it includes a fast use of hands and feet in an intense close fight. Karate provides many health advantages, it tones and shapes the body, increases aerobic endurance, improves muscle power and flexibility, improves equilibrium, agility and coordination, and accelerates reflexes. Karate also increases our mental health, challenging the brain continually, improving concentration and concentrate. It also grows the composure of a person and gives a greater insight into themselves One of the benefits of karate is that learners can train at their own speed so that even those who have not trained in a while can begin to learn and gain from the benefits of karate.

  • MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

    Mixed martial arts, also known as MMA, is a full-contact fighting sport that enables striking and fighting, both on and off the floor, using methods such as boxing, wrestling, judo, jujitsu, karate, Muay Thai (Thai boxing) and other disciplines. By using three particular strategies, two rivals try to attain dominance over each other: striking, finishing holds, and control. Victory is usually achieved by knock-out, submission (one player grants victory to the other by tapping his hand on the ground or adversary), or stoppage by the referee, the player doctor, or a competitor's corner man. MMA is one of the fastest increasing spectator sports in the globe, in many nations and in all 50 U.S. states, MMA events are authorised. Rules and regulations The UFC was instrumental in pushing for a set of rules for global sport standardisation, and by 2009 regulatory bodies in the United States and many fighting promotions worldwide had adopted standards known as the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. MMA members compete in a ring or fenced region under these regulations, fighting using padded finger-less gloves but not wearing shoes or headgear. They may hit, throw, kick, or clash with an adversary, and either from a standing place or on the floor, attacks may be initiated. Head butt, gouging (pushing a finger or thumb into the eye of an opponent), biting, pulling hair, and groin assaults of any kind are prohibited. Downward elbow strikes, throat strikes, and back or spine strikes are also illegal, as are some assaults on a grounded opponent, including kicking or kneeing the head. If a fighter breaches a rule, the referee may issue a warning, deduct points, or — especially when a flagrant foul is considered to have been committed— disqualify the offending contestant. In order to make the competition fairer, UFC has implemented a weight class scheme where a competitor can only face an opposition within the same weight range as itself.

  • JUDO

    Judo is generally viewed as a modern Japanese martial art, which has since progressed in the years into an Olympic event. The sport was created in 1882 by Jigoro Kano as a physical, mental, and moral pedagogy in Japan.

  • TAI CHI

    Tai chi, sometimes also known as "Shadowboxing," is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for defense training, health benefits, and meditation.

  • BOXING

    Boxing is a Martial Art and Combat Sport in which two individuals toss punches at one another, for the most part with gloved hands. Generally, the objectives have been to prepare as a competitor and in rivalry box to debilitate and thump down the adversary to win a match/rivalry in the true sporting sense. Boxing is both an Olympic and Commonwealth sport and is a typical installation in most worldwide diversions—it additionally has its very own World Championships. Boxing is regulated by an arbitrator over a progression of 1-3 minute interims called rounds. The outcome is chosen when an adversary is regarded unfit to proceed by a ref, is precluded for disrupting a guideline, leaves by tossing in a towel, or is articulated the champ or washout dependent on the judges' scorecards toward the finish of the challenge. If the two warriors addition equivalent scores from the judges, the battle is viewed as a draw. Boxing has been around for quite a long time and as of late fills in as an incredible physical outlet to cleanse hostility, help pressure, stay in shape and keep up significant component to a sound way of life. For some, individuals Boxing/Kickboxing isn't tied in with getting in the ring to quarrel it is over the preparation, the bag hitting the feel of command over their body and the certainty one feels on the off chance that they needed to protect themselves.

  • HAPKIDO

    Hapkido is a martial Korean art practiced throughout the globe. Characterised by joint locks, throws and vibrant kicking methods, it is unique among Korean martial arts (Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do) in its focus on deflecting an opponent's assaults rather than strong blockade. Hapkido was intended as a manner of defending and overcoming a skillful attacker in many types of martial fighting. With origins in Aikijujitsu, Hapkido makes it one of the initial mixed martial arts, adding striking and punching to joint-locks, throws, and grappling. Unlike contemporary MMA practice, however, Hapkido provides the student with a strong basis in various types of defense, and roots that defense's approach in water, circle, and harmony values. This provides the student a strong structure to develop their skills so that when in real defense scenarios they are not caught off guard. The vision of the training is to enable a martial artist to subdue an adversary quickly and make any attacker totally unable to cause damage. Since Hapkido provides complete control over a physical conflict and emphasizes accuracy over brute strength, the hapkidoist can locate any harm inflicted on an adversary and prevent unintended injury. If you are teaching Hapkido you need an insurance policy that covers what you do and our martial arts insurance packages are specifically designed to cover all styles / disciplines.

  • KICKBOXING

    Kickboxing is a martial art combining boxing and kicking (fighting sport). In 1950, it first appeared in Japan, it has spread throughout the globe. Now it's one of the most famous combat sports. Japanese kickboxing originated in the late 1950s and since then has had contests. American kickboxing originated in the 1970s and became prominent in September 1974, when the first World Championships were held by the Professional Karate Association (PKA). Kickboxing can historically be regarded a hybrid martial art created by combining components of different traditional styles. Since the 1970s, this strategy has become increasingly common, and since the 1990s, kickboxing has contributed to the creation of mixed martial arts through further hybridization with Brazilian jiu-jitsu ground combat methods and folk wrestling. Like other sports, the game has a number of rules and regulations to safeguard players ' health and security. To regulate their corresponding kickboxing matches, each country has its own federation. Therefore, the laws may alter slightly from one country to another, but the main laws stay the same.

  • TAEKWONDO

    Tae Kwon Do (also known as Taekwondo) is Korea's art of self-defense. It is acknowledged as one of the world's oldest types of martial arts, going back more than 2,000 years. For its proper description of the art, the name was chosen: Tae (foot), Kwon (hand), Do(art). Tae Kwon Do aims to unite the mind and body of the practitioner into a single concentrated force capable of overpowering an aggressor quickly irrespective of their size, age or strength. Tae Kwon Do is appropriate for males, females and kids and requires no previous fitness or understanding The exercise of Tae Kwon Do enhances the flexibility and conditioning of the whole body; enhances concentration, discipline and self-confidence; and encourages excellent personality and ethical behaviour. Some advantages of Tae Kwon Do ; fight childhood obesity, develop abilities to protect yourself, attain and maintain a healthier lifestyle, learn to concentrate and enhance school performance, set and attain short-term and long-term objectives, enhance stamina, strength and general fitness, become role models and create management characteristics, increase the probability of regulations

  • JUJUTSU

    Jujutsu, also known as jiu-jitsu and ju-jitsu, is a group of Japanese martial arts which looks at close combat that can be used defensively or offensively to kill or subdue one or more weaponless or armed and armored opponents.

  • MUAY THAI

    Muay Thai is a martial art and combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. This discipline is known as the "art of eight limbs" as it is characterized by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and shins.

Insurance Companies assess the risk of businesses in many ways and one of them is making sure martial arts instructors are qualified for what they teach. They also want to see that they operate with the appropriate risk management policies and adhere to an industry best practice.

What is Best Practice Operations? 

It is a code of practice (COP) that companies / businesses / sporting disciplines abide by. Those that operate with this COP as part of their business ethic, promote consumer confidence in their product / service. Part of the COD relates to consumer / retail / OH&S laws that all businesses are required to adhere to.

Martial Arts Clubs run with a diverse business ethic with some operating from home (some oblivious or disregard consumer laws), others from community halls and those that lease / buy a commercial building. Irrespective of how much revenue a club earns, it is their duty as professional / credible operator, to hold appropriate insurances and adhere to the industry’s code of practice and commercial laws.


What sort of items / processes will you find in code of practice document. Product disclosure / warranties, membership cancelation / refund policy, clear contract terms, minimum instructor qualifications, risk management protocols, hours of trade, advertising guidelines, a fair method to deal with complaints etc.

School / Gym Operators need to be aware of industry standards as set out by peak bodies which include instructor qualifications.


INSTRUCTORS DEEMED QUALIFIED – Academic Qualifications -             
Industry Recognised academic qualifications in order of lowest to highest -             
Degree in education / sports science / sports coaching and other relevant qualification -             
Diploma Military / Policing / Security -             
Diploma / Cert IV in coaching, fitness, sports recreation, trainer assessor, security -             
As above Cert II / III coaching, fitness, security etc -             
AMACS coaching courses (Levels 1 – 3) -             
Australian Sport Commission (previously available as NCAS (Levels 1- 3) -             
Australian Sport Commission (Coaching General Principles) -             
Inhouse Association instructor’s program (rated higher if assessed by peak body MAA) -             
Inhouse school instructor’s program (rated higher if assessed by peak body MAA)

WANT TO UP SKILL YOUR QUALIFICATIONS OR BUILD UP YOUR TEAM WITH INSTRUCTOR COACHING COURSES?  CLICK HERE FOR AMACS COURSES


MARTIAL ARTS – COMBAT SPORTS - Discipline / Style Specific -             
Minimum 4 years training (unsupervised 2 years under supervision) -             
Black (karate/TKD/KungFu/Aikido etc) Belt/Sash (BJJ Purple accepted – Blue under special conditions) -             
Age 10 Team Leader / Age 12-18 assistant instructor (supervised) 18+ instructor (unsupervised) -             
Team leader (4 grades+) assistant (2 yrs exp / 5 grades+ / green-purple-brown belt equivalent)


ADDITIONAL SKILLS - certificates / licenses / checks -             
First Aid
 – there should always be someone delegated as a first aid officer at each class -             
Weapons
 – If prohibited weapons are being taught the instructors should have the appropriate licence -             
Children checks
 – instructors teaching children (U18) (see current requirements in your State) -             
Police check 
– instructors are not required to have one for insurance, but the club owner may request it


What if Club Operators / Instructors are not deemed qualified to teach?
It is up to instructors / club operators to lift the bar above what is deemed the industry standard. This can be done by always striving to improve instructor skills to a higher professional level, giving Insurers more confidence to maintain stable prices. This is the same for consumers, they feel safer to participate and join a club. If an instructor holds an insurance policy and is not deemed qualified, it makes it easier to prove negligence for a claimant. This will have a significant impact on an Insurers’ defence of a claim and may result in the instructor being uninsurable in the future.


Some martial arts styles are deemed more risk than others
Each style of martial art normally has a set curriculum with various activities some practised individually others with partners (drills / sparring).
Each style is given a risk rating by the Insurer that is assessed each year by the claims coming from that discipline. If a particular style has higher claims than others they are investigated and this can make their premiums go up or they may become uninsurable (just as kickboxing / muay thai / sambo / wrestling / vale tudo / BJJ / MMA have been in the past). Once a style is deemed uninsurable it is very hard to obtain cover in the future. Coming back from an insurable position will make their premiums much higher and instructor qualification requirements will also be stricter.

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GET A QUICK QUOTE - 03 8201 9908

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