Liability Requirements for Self-Employed Instructors Review.
As a newly arrived English teacher in Germany, one of the many instances of culture shock that I encountered was just how much German people seemed to love insurance. “Really? I need insurance for that?” I said when someone explained that I needed to have personal liabilty insurance – a type of insurance that I had never even heard of before, let alone considered paying money for. Therefore, I considered it a sign of cultural integration when in January I attended and enjoyed an ELTAS workshop on Liability Requirements for Self-Employed Instructors.
The workshop:
On this occasion, ELTAS welcomed Edit Frater from Trainer Versorgung e.V., on liability requirements for self-employed instructors. This is a professional association which supports trainers, consultants, coaches and lecturers in their work. This includes providing information and advice on areas such as tax, pensions, liability, legal issues etc, as well as events and networking opportunities.
Edit explained that, although it is standard for people in Germany to have personal liability insurance, this does NOT cover damages incurred at work. For example:
- If a lady wearing high heels slips on wet leaves and injures herself in the courtyard of a hotel where you teach, not only the hotel but also you are liable, because you failed to do anything about it.
- When you teach intercultural skills and you give incorrect advice which results in financial loss for the client, then you are liable for damages.
- Suppose a client’s data is stolen because you are a victim of hacking, then you can be held liable.
All of these cases can be covered by professinal liability insurance, and luckily Trainer Versorgung offers this exact thing to its members. Also, ELTAS is a Trainer Versorgung partner member, which means that ELTAS members can join as a basic Trainer Versorgung member for free and also sign up for this insurance.
If you have any questions about the Trainer Versorgung and the benefits you can get as an ELTAS member, feel free to reach out to us at any time via either via email or social media.
