Which insurance do you need as a personal trainer?
None is required by law, but liability insurance is the basis: many sports locations ask for it, and an injury to a client can otherwise cost you a lot. Here you’ll find what AVB, BAV, AOV and legal cover protect, roughly what they cost and what the planned mandatory AOV means.
- AVB (business liability): injury or damage to a client. The basis, roughly €150 to €350 a year.
- BAV (professional liability): loss from a mistake in your programme or advice. Mainly if you also do nutrition or online coaching.
- AOV: income if you can’t work yourself. Probably mandatory in a basic form from 2030.
- Legal cover and equipment: often in a package, roughly €25 to €55 a month together with the AVB.
The insurances at a glance
| Insurance | What it covers | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|
| AVB (business liability) | Injury or damage to someone else’s property caused by your work | €150 – €350 a year (Veel.nl); €8 – €20 a month (Veza) |
| BAV (professional liability) | Financial loss from a mistake in your advice, programme or nutrition plan | €270 – €600 a year (Veel.nl) |
| AOV (disability) | A monthly benefit if you can’t work because of illness or an accident | €50 – €150 a month (Veza); €600 – €1,440 a year (Veel.nl) |
| Legal cover | Help with a dispute with a client, landlord or supplier | Often in a package |
| Equipment (contents) | Damage to or theft of your training equipment, also on the road | Often in a package |
All amounts are indications. Your premium depends on your work, turnover, insured amount and excess. Request a few quotes and read what is and isn’t covered.
AVB: the basis for every trainer
A client hurts their knee during a jump exercise you demonstrated, or trips over your kettlebell. The client’s medical costs and lost income can add up quickly (Veza gives an example of €12,000 in medical costs plus three months off work). An AVB covers that kind of injury and damage, usually up to €1 to €2.5 million per claim (Veel.nl).
Many gyms, studios and outdoor locations only let you train there if you have such insurance.
BAV: if you give advice
A BAV doesn’t cover injury from an accident, but financial loss from a professional mistake: a training programme that builds up too fast, or a nutrition plan that isn’t right (Veel.nl). If you only coach during the session, an AVB is often enough. If you also make programmes or nutrition plans, or coach online, a BAV is worth considering (Veza).
AOV: your body is your business
As a personal trainer you work with your body. A shoulder or back injury and you can’t train clients for months. An AOV pays part of your income in that case. The shorter the waiting period before benefits start, the higher the premium: at Veel.nl an AOV with a 30-day waiting period costs €960 to €1,440 a year, with 90 days €600 to €960.
The mandatory AOV from 2030
The government wants a mandatory basic insurance for the self-employed. The bill is with the House of Representatives; the minister expects the obligation to start in 2030 (KVK, 21 May 2026). What the proposal says:
- Who: self-employed people who file income tax as an entrepreneur and make a profit.
- Premium: up to about €171 a month (based on the 2025 minimum wage), paid to the Belastingdienst and tax-deductible.
- Benefit: 70% of your profit, up to the minimum wage, until your state pension age.
- Waiting period: two years. You get nothing from this insurance during the first two years of illness.
- Opt-out: if you have your own AOV that is at least as good, you may keep it. The conditions and cut-off date are not yet fixed.
The rules may still change while Parliament handles the bill. Check KVK or the Rijksoverheid for the latest status.
Insurance on Gymies
On Gymies you, as a trainer, are responsible for suitable professional liability insurance; that is in the terms and conditions. Gymies handles bookings, payments and invoices on your behalf, and pays you out on the first working day of the month. More about Gymies for trainers
Frequently asked questions
Is insurance mandatory for a personal trainer?
No, there is currently no legal requirement. But many gyms, studios and outdoor locations ask for liability insurance before you can train there. And if a client gets injured with you, without insurance you are personally liable.
What is the difference between AVB and BAV?
AVB (business liability) covers injury and damage to other people’s property caused by your work, for example a client tripping over your equipment. BAV (professional liability) covers financial loss from a mistake in your advice, such as a wrong programme or nutrition plan (Veel.nl).
How much does liability insurance cost for a personal trainer?
An AVB costs roughly €150 to €350 a year, a BAV €270 to €600 (Veel.nl, 2026). A package with AVB, equipment and legal cover costs about €25 to €55 a month according to Veza. These are indications; request quotes.
Is mandatory disability insurance coming for the self-employed?
Probably. The bill is with the House of Representatives and the minister expects the mandatory AOV in 2030 (KVK, May 2026). The premium will be about €171 a month, tax-deductible, with benefits only after two years of illness. Your own AOV may replace it if it is at least as good.
Do I need insurance on Gymies?
On Gymies you, as a trainer, are responsible for suitable professional liability insurance. That is in the terms and conditions.
This article is an explanation, not insurance advice. If you’re unsure what fits you, ask an independent adviser.
Sources
- KVK, Verplichte AOV in 2030, kies nu nog zelf (21 May 2026, Dutch)
- Rijksoverheid, Plans for mandatory disability insurance for the self-employed (Dutch)
- Veel.nl, Verzekering personal trainer 2026: BAV, AOV en premies (28 June 2026, Dutch)
- Veza Verzekeringen, Insurance for personal trainers (Dutch)
- Start2Move, Do you need liability insurance as a personal trainer? (Dutch)