Liability protection for kayak instructor

[louise2]

What is the name of your state? Michigan
I teach a beginning kayak class at a high school pool through the City Community Education Department. I do not make very much money doing this, it is mostly just for fun. The school provides a lifeguard. A friend told me that I should become a limited liability company to protect my personal assets in case that a student should get injured and sue me. Would becoming an LLC really be of benefit in this situation? The American Canoe Association offers liability insurance for instructors, but the cost is more than the small fee that I collect from the students, plus it is no good if you cannot register the names of the students more than 10 days before the start of the class. The risk of injury is pretty small in this environment, but it is always possible that someone could strain a shoulder or aggravate a back problem.

well, an LLC isn't going to help much unless you have employees that work under you. I doubt it would help at all, but some might disagree.

You'll still be personally liable for any negligence. LLC protects you from claims against your business, not against you personally in your capacity as the instructor.

there's some stuff you can do to manage risk, but you need to individualize it. see an attorney.

[IAAL-15]

Originally Posted by louise2

What is the name of your state? Michigan
I teach a beginning kayak class at a high school pool through the City Community Education Department. I do not make very much money doing this, it is mostly just for fun. The school provides a lifeguard. A friend told me that I should become a limited liability company to protect my personal assets in case that a student should get injured and sue me. Would becoming an LLC really be of benefit in this situation? The American Canoe Association offers liability insurance for instructors, but the cost is more than the small fee that I collect from the students, plus it is no good if you cannot register the names of the students more than 10 days before the start of the class. The risk of injury is pretty small in this environment, but it is always possible that someone could strain a shoulder or aggravate a back problem.

My response:

Wait a minute . . . aren't you covered under the policy of the City Community Education Department? If I were injured, I wouldn't look to you, necessarily. I'd be going after the "deep pocket."

Also, isn't the City Community Education Department part of a Governmental entity; e.g., a school district?

IAAL