# What Insurance Do Kids' Camps and Classes Need?

> What general liability, participant accident, abuse and molestation, professional liability and workers' comp cover for kids' programs, and how COIs work.

For providers · Dee Taylor, Founder, Kaleto · Updated 2026-10-15 · https://www.kaleto.ai/blog/insurance-for-kids-activity-providers

**The short answer:** Most kids' camps and classes need general liability insurance, participant accident coverage and abuse and molestation coverage, which many general liability policies exclude. Add professional liability if you give instruction or advice, and workers' compensation once you have employees. Schools and venues will usually ask for a certificate of insurance naming them as an additional insured.

Insurance for a kids' program has one awkward feature: the policy most people buy first, general liability, often excludes the claim a youth program fears most. This guide explains what each common coverage does, where the gaps usually are, and what schools and venues will ask to see. It doesn't quote premiums, because they depend on your activity, location, payroll and claims history. A licensed agent can price your actual risk.

## What insurance does a kids' activity business need?

A typical kids' activity provider carries general liability, participant accident coverage and abuse and molestation coverage, plus workers' compensation once it has employees. Depending on what you do, you may add professional liability, commercial auto and property coverage.

| Coverage | What it pays for | Who usually needs it |
| --- | --- | --- |
| General liability | Third-party bodily injury, property damage and the cost of defending lawsuits | Every provider |
| Participant accident | Medical bills for an injured participant, regardless of fault | Camps, sports, active classes |
| Abuse and molestation | Claims alleging abuse by staff, volunteers or others | Anyone supervising children |
| Professional liability | Claims of errors, negligence or mistakes in your services | Tutors, coaches, therapists, instructors |
| Workers' compensation | Employee injuries on the job | Any business with employees |
| Commercial property | Your owned or rented building and equipment | Providers with a space or gear |
| Commercial auto | Vehicles used for the business | Anyone transporting kids |

The SBA's general rule is to buy what the law requires first, then insure against anything you couldn't afford to pay for yourself.

## What does general liability insurance cover for a kids' program?

General liability covers claims that your business caused bodily injury or property damage to someone else, plus your legal defense. The SBA says it protects against financial loss from bodily injury, property damage, medical expenses, libel, slander, defending lawsuits, and settlements or judgments.

For a kids' program, that's the parent who trips in your lobby, the child injured because of a hazard you should have fixed, or damage to a rented gym. It's the coverage schools and landlords ask about first.

What it usually doesn't do well:

- **Abuse claims.** Many general liability policies exclude them (see below).
- **Your own employees' injuries.** That's workers' compensation.
- **Mistakes in your instruction or advice.** That's professional liability.
- **No-fault medical bills.** General liability responds when you're legally liable. Participant accident pays whether or not anyone was at fault.

## What is participant accident insurance?

Participant accident insurance pays medical expenses for a participant who is injured during a covered activity, without anyone having to prove fault. Philadelphia Insurance Companies says a participant accident policy can help pay medical expenses a member, participant or volunteer incurs when injured during a covered activity, and that it reduces the chance a family sues to recover out-of-pocket costs. It lists dance schools, YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs and recreational programs among eligible groups.

Many of these policies are excess coverage. Nonprofits Insurance Alliance says its participant accident coverage may apply before or in excess of the participant's own health insurance. Excess means the family's health plan pays first and the accident policy picks up some of what's left. Ask your agent whether a quote is primary or excess, and what the medical limit is.

For a camp or sports program, this is often the coverage that keeps a sprained ankle from turning into a lawsuit.

## Do I need abuse and molestation insurance?

Yes, if you supervise children, and you should confirm in writing whether your general liability policy excludes it. Marsh McLennan Agency, an insurance broker, says general liability coverage often excludes abuse-related incidents, and names schools, youth groups and camps among the organizations that need dedicated abuse coverage. It also notes that insurers look for background checks, written abuse prevention procedures and documented training when they underwrite it.

Abuse and molestation coverage fills that gap, either as an endorsement to your liability policy or as a separate policy. Great American Insurance Group, which includes youth programs and summer camps among the classes it covers, says this coverage is often bought with minimal limits. On its policies the abuse limit is separate from the general and professional liability limits, so an abuse claim doesn't use up the rest of your coverage. When you compare quotes, ask:

- Is abuse coverage included, sublimited or excluded?
- Is the abuse limit separate from, or shared with, the general liability limit?
- Are defense costs inside or outside the limit?
- Does it cover physical and verbal abuse, or only sexual abuse?
- Does it cover claims of abuse between children, not just staff and child?

Insurers take screening seriously here. Good hiring practices are part of what you are buying coverage for, and some carriers offer screening resources. See [background checks for youth program staff](https://www.kaleto.ai/blog/background-checks-for-youth-program-staff) for what to put in place.

## Do kids' class instructors need professional liability insurance?

You may, if families pay you for instruction, coaching, tutoring or advice. The SBA says professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions insurance, protects businesses that provide services against financial loss from malpractice, errors and negligence. The Hartford notes that clients can sue over an alleged mistake in your services even if no mistake happened.

For a kids' provider, that could be a claim that your tutoring didn't deliver a promised result or your coaching advice led to an injury. Some youth and nonprofit carriers bundle professional liability with general liability, so check before buying it separately.

## Do I need workers' compensation for camp staff?

Generally yes, once you have employees. The SBA lists workers' compensation, unemployment and disability insurance as required for businesses with employees, and says requirements vary by state. Check your state's rules before your first summer hire. The Hartford says workers' compensation helps pay an employee's medical bills, replaces some lost wages and covers ongoing care after a work-related injury or illness.

## What is a certificate of insurance and why do schools ask for one?

A certificate of insurance (COI) is a one-page proof of coverage that schools, landlords and partners ask for before you use their space. The Hartford says a COI lists the named insured, the insurer, the types of coverage, the policy number, effective and expiration dates, limits, and any additional insured details. It doesn't change or guarantee your coverage. It summarizes it.

Most COIs for liability coverage use the standard ACORD 25 form. You request one from your insurer or agent, often online.

Schools usually ask for more than the certificate. Beaverton School District in Oregon is a representative example: it requires outside users to carry general liability with limits of at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, name the district as an additional insured, and provide a copy of the additional insured endorsement. For use during school hours, the policy can't exclude sexual abuse and molestation, or the user must show separate abuse coverage at the same limits. Other districts set their own terms, so ask for the requirements in writing before you sign.

## What is the difference between a certificate holder and an additional insured?

A certificate holder just receives proof that you're insured. An additional insured gets some protection under your policy. The Hartford describes an additional insured as a person or business added to your policy who receives some protection under your liability coverage, and says clients, landlords and partners often require it.

When a school or venue asks to be named as an additional insured, your agent adds an endorsement to your policy. Some insurers charge for it. Then they issue a COI that shows the endorsement. Keep a list of every venue that needs one and request updated certificates when your policy renews.

## How do I buy insurance for a kids' activity business?

Work with a licensed commercial agent who writes youth programs, and give them the full picture. The SBA recommends assessing your risks, finding a reputable licensed agent and comparing rates, terms and benefits from several agents. Before you call, have ready:

- Your activities, including any swimming, climbing, sports or travel
- Ages served, typical enrollment and number of sessions per year
- Locations, and whether you own, rent or use school space
- Staff count, payroll and how you screen and train staff
- Venue contracts that set insurance requirements
- Any past claims

Ask each agent the abuse coverage questions above, and get quotes in writing.

## Where can families find insured, well-run programs?

Families compare programs before they enroll, and clear safety and insurance practices help yours stand out. Families search camps, classes and enrichment programs on Kaleto, providers list their programs there, and AI assistants connected to Kaleto can search those listings. [List your program on Kaleto](https://www.kaleto.ai/camp).

## Common questions

### Does general liability insurance cover abuse claims?

Often not. Broker Marsh McLennan Agency says general liability coverage often excludes abuse-related incidents, so confirm with your agent and buy separate abuse coverage if yours is excluded.

### What is participant accident insurance?

It pays medical expenses for a participant injured during a covered activity without anyone proving fault. Many policies are excess coverage, so the family's own health insurance pays first.

### What is a certificate of insurance?

A certificate of insurance is a one-page summary that proves your coverage, listing the insurer, policy types, policy numbers, dates and limits. Your insurer or agent issues it, and it doesn't change your coverage.

### Why do schools want to be named as an additional insured?

Being named as an additional insured gives the school some protection under your liability policy if a claim arises from your program. Many districts require it, plus a copy of the endorsement, before you can use their facilities.

### Do I need workers' compensation for summer camp counselors?

Generally yes, once you have employees. The SBA lists workers' compensation as required for businesses with employees, and state rules vary, so check your state's requirements before you hire.

## Sources

1. [U.S. Small Business Administration — Launch your business: Get business insurance (2025)](https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/get-business-insurance)
2. [Philadelphia Insurance Companies — Participant Accident Insurance (2026)](https://www.phly.com/products/participant-accident-insurance)
3. [Nonprofits Insurance Alliance — Volunteer/Participant Accident Coverage (2025)](https://insurancefornonprofits.org/coverages/participant-volunteer-accident-coverage/)
4. [Marsh McLennan Agency — Understanding Sexual Abuse and Molestation (SAM) Coverage (2025)](https://mmanorthwest.com/understanding-sexual-abuse-and-molestation-sam-coverage-policies-and-protection-strategies/)
5. [Great American Insurance Group — Abuse or Molestation Coverage (2026)](https://www.greatamericaninsurancegroup.com/about-us/business-operations/subproduct/specialty-human-services/coverage-we-offer/abuse-molestation-coverage)
6. [The Hartford — Additional Insured on Professional Liability Policies (2026)](https://www.thehartford.com/professional-liability-insurance/additional-insured)
7. [The Hartford — ACORD Liability Insurance Certificate (2026)](https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/acord-certificate-of-insurance)
8. [Beaverton School District — Facility Use Insurance Requirements (2026)](https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/risk-management/insurance/facility-use-requirements)