Events, gradings, and seminars are milestones in a martial arts school’s calendar. They mark progress, build community, and reinforce the culture of learning. However, from an insurance perspective, these activities also represent a change in risk—often a significant one.



Many Australian martial arts schools assume that because events are part of normal practice, they are automatically covered under standard insurance policies. In reality, these activities are among the most common sources of insurance disputes. Understanding where coverage gaps occur—and how to avoid them—is essential for protecting instructors, students, and the school itself.

Why Events Are Treated Differently by Insurers

Insurers assess risk based on predictability and control. Regular weekly classes are familiar, structured, and consistent. Events and gradings introduce variables such as:

• Increased training intensity
• Time pressure and fatigue
• External instructors or assessors
• Larger groups and spectators
• Temporary venues or altered layouts

These changes matter to insurers, even if they feel routine to school owners.

Gradings: High Stakes, Higher Scrutiny

Gradings are one of the most misunderstood risk areas in martial arts insurance.

While they are an extension of training, gradings often involve:

• Students being pushed to physical limits
• Emotional pressure to perform
• Rapid decision-making by instructors
• Allegations related to readiness or supervision

If a student is injured during a grading, insurers may examine whether:

• The grading was disclosed as an activity
• The student was appropriately prepared
• Supervision levels were adequate
• Professional judgement was exercised reasonably

Without clear coverage, disputes can arise quickly.

Seminars and Guest Instructors

Seminars introduce additional complexity, particularly when guest instructors are involved.

Key insurance considerations include:

• Who is responsible for instruction
• Whether guest instructors are covered under the host school’s policy
• Whether their qualifications and activities align with declared cover

Assuming that visiting instructors “bring their own insurance” is risky unless responsibilities are clearly defined and documented.

Tournaments and Competitive Events

Competitions—formal or informal—carry elevated exposure due to:

• Increased contact and intensity
• Inter-school participation
• Refereeing and rule enforcement decisions
• Greater likelihood of disputes

Standard class-based insurance may not adequately respond if competitions were not disclosed or were assumed to be excluded.

Public Demonstrations and Spectator Risk

Demonstrations introduce non-participants into the risk environment. This changes the nature of public liability exposure.

Insurers will consider:

• Crowd proximity to demonstrations
• Temporary equipment or staging
• Control measures for public safety

Assuming that demonstrations are “low risk” because they are choreographed can be a costly mistake.

Temporary and External Venues

Events often occur in venues different from regular training locations:

• Community centres
• Sports halls
• Outdoor spaces
• Schools or civic venues

Insurance policies may restrict or require disclosure for:

• Temporary locations
• Public or outdoor venues
• Non-standard facilities

Venue agreements may also impose additional insurance obligations.

Common Coverage Gaps During Events

The most frequent event-related insurance gaps include:

• Activities not disclosed to insurers
• Lack of professional indemnity for assessment decisions
• Guest instructors not covered
• Events assumed to be part of “normal operations”
• Venue requirements not aligned with policy terms

These gaps are rarely intentional—they result from assumptions.

Why Disclosure Is More Important Than Frequency

Some schools believe that events only need special consideration if they are frequent. In reality, even a single annual grading or seminar can require disclosure if it materially changes the risk profile.

Insurance responds to what was disclosed—not how often it happens.

Industry Context Makes Event Coverage Practical

Industry-aligned frameworks supported by Martial Arts Australia recognise that events, gradings, and seminars are essential to martial arts education—not anomalies.

This understanding helps ensure that:

• Events are anticipated within insurance structures
• Claims are assessed with appropriate context
• Schools are not penalised for normal industry practices

Context reduces friction and improves outcomes.

A Practical Event Coverage Check

Before running an event, schools should ask:

• Is this activity clearly included in our insurance?
• Are all instructors and assessors covered?
• Does the venue accept our insurance?
• Does the intensity differ from regular classes?
• Are spectators or external participants involved?

If uncertainty exists, review coverage before the event—not after.

Final Thoughts

Events, gradings, and seminars are central to martial arts culture, but they also attract increased scrutiny when incidents occur. Proper coverage is not about adding complexity—it is about ensuring clarity when activities extend beyond the routine.

Schools that review event coverage proactively protect their instructors, students, and reputation while continuing to offer meaningful milestones within their programs.