What the Next Phase of the Insurance Code Review Means for Trainers

As noted in our previous reporting, the draft code placed renewed attention on claims handling standards, customer communication and fair treatment. The final wording has not yet been settled, but the direction is clear: policyholders are increasingly expected to understand their rights, keep better records and engage promptly when something goes wrong.

That matters in a fitness setting because claims can move quickly from an incident report to a liability question. A client injury during a session, a complaint about advice, or accidental damage to a venue may require detailed evidence. Session notes, screening forms, signed waivers, program modifications, maintenance records and messages with the client can all become relevant when an insurer assesses what happened.

The review also highlights a common gap for sole traders and microbusinesses: many only look closely at their policy when a claim is already underway. By then, exclusions, notification requirements, excesses and limits of indemnity may shape the outcome. Renewal season is a better time to check whether your public liability, professional indemnity and business equipment sections still match how you train, where you operate and whether you provide online or group services.

Practical steps for trainers include:

• checking claim notification timeframes and evidence requirements before renewal;
• updating client onboarding and injury-reporting procedures;
• reviewing whether subcontractors, outdoor sessions or online programs are clearly covered;
• asking a broker or insurer to explain any unclear exclusions in writing.

The code review will not replace the need to read your own Product Disclosure Statement or policy schedule. However, it does reinforce a bigger trend in the market: insurers, regulators and customers are paying closer attention to transparency, communication and claims outcomes. For personal trainers, the best response is not to wait for the final code. It is to make your insurance file, client records and risk controls easier to defend before a claim ever occurs.