Studios full of kids need more than a liability policy.
General liability, abuse and molestation, student accident, property and workers' comp for dance studios, competition teams, ballroom schools and dance halls.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Young dancers, recitals and road trips
Dance studios teach a lot of minors, so the questions go past slips and sprains. Insurers want to know about background checks, who supervises changing rooms and how instructors communicate with students, and abuse and molestation coverage is often excluded unless you add it. Lifts, jumps and tumbling in competition routines also lead to injuries.
Recitals usually happen at rented theaters or school auditoriums that require a certificate naming them, and competition teams travel. I build the studio policy around all of it: general and abuse coverage, student accident for medical bills, property for floors, mirrors and sound gear, and workers' comp for teachers.
- General liabilityInjuries to students, parents and visitors.
- Abuse and molestationOften excluded unless added to the policy.
- Student accidentMedical bills for injured dancers, regardless of fault.
- PropertySprung floors, mirrors, barres and sound systems.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Studio: address, square footage and number of rooms.
- Students: enrollment and age ranges.
- Staff: teachers, assistants, background checks and training.
- Events: recitals, competitions and travel each year.
- Revenue and payroll: annual tuition and staff pay.
- History: current policies and any claims.
Dance studio insurance, answered
Is abuse and molestation coverage included?
Often not. Many general liability policies exclude it, so I quote it separately or as an added coverage for any studio that teaches minors.
What's student accident insurance for?
It pays medical bills for an injured dancer up to a set amount, regardless of fault, which can keep a sprain from turning into a lawsuit.
Can I get a certificate for the recital venue?
Yes. Theaters and schools usually want to be named as additional insured. Send me their requirements and I'll get the certificate issued.
Are my contract teachers covered?
It depends on how the policy and California's worker classification rules treat them. Teachers who are really employees need workers' comp.
Do you offer dance studio insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. Sam Alishahi is licensed in 48 states and Washington, DC and places policies there directly. In Florida and Washington, where Sam's licenses are still being issued, a partner agency in your state helps in the meantime. The shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Tell me about your studio. I'll shop it.
Enrollment, ages and your recital schedule are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued.
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(877) 711-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
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