Gym Insurance+ by PushPress

Best overall for martial arts schools

Most gym insurance policies were written for fitness studios, not combat sports schools. That distinction matters more than you'd think. A general fitness policy might cover a pulled hamstring during a cycling class, but quietly exclude injuries from sparring, grappling, or weapons training, all of which are core to what you do.

Gym Insurance+ was built differently. Our policies are designed around how martial arts schools actually operate, with clear allowances for sparring, submissions, takedowns, and kids' classes.

What sets us apart:

• Built by gym owners, for gym owners. Our team includes current and former CrossFit box owners, BJJ academy founders, and fitness entrepreneurs.
• Professional liability included on every policy.
• Participant medical payments included as standard (up to $25,000/year).
• Property and equipment coverage easily added. Covers full replacement costs for your mats, mirrors, bags, and build-outs.
• Fast online quoting. Most gym owners are covered in under 5 minutes.
• Policies underwritten by Everspan (AM Best 'A-') and Starr Specialty (AM Best 'A'). Financially stable, nationally regulated carriers.
• Policies stay with your business if you add disciplines, move locations, or change affiliations.

What to know:

• Special events coverage is required for competitions with 100+ participants
• U.S.-based gyms only

Not ideal if: You only need a single-day event policy.

AGuard /Affiliate Guard

Best for gyms with medical-grade amenities

AGuard (previously Affiliate Guard) is a solid option for gyms that have layered in services like cryotherapy, IV therapy, or physical therapy alongside their martial arts programming. Their policies can accommodate those unusual combinations.

What to know:

• Policies are sold through brokers, which means extra fees layered on top of your premium
• Business personal property coverage is typically not included — your mats, equipment, and build-out aren't protected under a standard policy
• Not all policies include medical expense limits, so verify before you sign

Not ideal if: You want property coverage bundled in, or you want to avoid brokerage fees.

Jiu Jitsu Insurance

Best for BJJ gyms needing single-day event coverage

Jiu Jitsu Insurance is a niche brokerage focused almost entirely on the BJJ market. If you're hosting a tournament and need a one-day event policy, they're worth a call.

What to know:

• As a smaller brokerage, their access to competitive pricing across carriers is more limited than larger providers
• Coverage is narrowly focused on BJJ — if your school teaches Muay Thai, Judo, or MMA alongside BJJ, you may find gaps
• Event-specific endorsements may be required for off-site competitions

Not ideal if: You teach disciplines beyond BJJ, or you want a single policy that covers your whole operation.

Karate Insurance

Best for Karate and Taekwondo instructors who want agent support

Karate Insurance caters to traditional martial arts instructors — particularly Karate and Taekwondo — who prefer working with an agent rather than buying online.

What to know:

• Pricing is structured on a per-student basis, which can make costs unpredictable as your enrollment fluctuates
• Per-student models can get expensive quickly for schools with high trial or seasonal membership turnover
• Customer reviews mention friction during the claims process — worth researching before you commit

Not ideal if: You run a kids' program with variable enrollment, or you want straightforward flat-rate pricing.

Martial Arts Group Insurance

Best for gym owners who want to talk through options with an agent

Martial Arts Group Insurance (MAGI) offers agent-supported purchasing for gym owners who want a more guided experience before they buy. If you're insuring a complex operation or have specific coverage questions, having a human in the loop can be valuable.

What to know:

• Policies carry minimum payment requirements. Even if your school is small or seasonal, you're locked into paying ~$500–$700/year regardless of actual coverage usage.
• All W2 employees and 1099 instructors are required to pass background checks, which adds administrative overhead for schools with large or rotating coaching staff.
• Per-student pricing applies here as well.

Not ideal if: You use a lot of 1099 instructors, or you want the flexibility to scale coverage up and down with your membership.

Markel Insurance

Best for gym owners who own their own gym building

Markel is a large, well-capitalized carrier with coverage available for property ownership coverage and umbrella policies.

What to know:

• Policies are sold through local brokers who often lack martial arts industry expertise. Expect to do some educating.
• Many policies exclude sparring, striking, and contact martial arts for day-to-day operations, making Markel better suited for commercial building coverage than a primary policy.
• The offline sales process typically takes 2–3 weeks. Not ideal if you need coverage quickly.

Not ideal if: You rent your gym space and run a standard BJJ, Muay Thai, or Karate school.

K&K Insurance

Best for highest-risk martial arts operations and one-day events

K&K is one of the few carriers willing to insure the highest-risk martial arts operations, such as cage fighting promotions, law enforcement and military combatives programs, and single or multi-day competition events. If your operation is genuinely high-risk and other carriers have turned you down, K&K is worth pursuing.

What to know:

• There is no online quoting or policy management — everything is handled by phone or email
• Response times and service can be slower than digital-first providers
• For standard martial arts schools, K&K is almost always more expensive than necessary

Not ideal if: You want a fast, online experience or you run a standard martial arts school.