by Tiffany Cox, LMT

We’ve all seen the various acronyms: ABMP, NAMASTA, AMTA, and a few lesser-knows. They are heralding the integration of a National Massage Organization, providing valuable information for marketing and support to therapists nationwide, and…what else do they do again?

Oh yeah, insurance. Hmmmm….

‘I don’t need insurance,’ you think, ‘I work at a very elite spa, and they told me I don’t need liability insurance because they’re covered. So, anything I do is their responsibility…right?!?’

Well, be ensured that you are mistaken.

Being a bodyworker with that notion is akin to an uninsured motorist who relies on others’ insurance in case of an accident. Being without coverage as a therapist isn’t illegal ~ yet ~ but it is irresponsible, and potentially devastating to both you and your clients.

Try to look at yourself from another’s point of view. Would you go to a Massage Therapist who you knew couldn’t financially protect you, or even herself, in the event of a mishap? Given time to consider the situation, probably not.

More and more massage therapy students are becoming aware of the importance of coverage, mostly due to the introduction of the concept being built into curriculum, and in some cases being a prerequisite to participate in clinic hours. This is an essential step forward in the advancement of our profession, preparing each generation of students as thoroughly and proficiently as possible.

When I went to massage school the first time, liability insurance was a tiny blip on the curriculum radar, and I had a vague notion that it might be a good idea if I were doing something “dangerous” like Sports Massage or Pre-Natal Therapy.

During my advanced schooling, representatives from several liability insurance providers actually visited our school, shared valued information and materials, offered limited-coverage discounts for students, and supplied us with the knowledge we needed to make informed decisions.

This change is in large part thanks to the impending nationalization of our chosen profession, as it is becoming a nationally-recognized-and-certified labor industry that will insure our success well into the 21st century and beyond.

Did you know that liability coverage comes with perks? And that it typically costs less than $20 a month? Being protected in case of an accident isn’t the only support they provide, either.

Your membership can include access to a vast array of resources from marketing tools and online education, to discounts on supplies and free massage-specific magazine subscriptions and newsletters, free web space and online tools, and they all offer the validation of being an accredited professional.

This endorsement will increase your marketability, provide confidence and security, authenticate your professional credibility, and furnish the resources for your prosperity. The security of being able to share in a collective of colleagues, seasoned professionals, and leaders in the massage industry should be motivation enough to incite you to pursue the insurance option.

If nothing else, consider the consequences of being an individual without the legal and financial support of one of these organizations if the need suddenly arose.

Trust me, you can’t afford not to.