Getting the right dance insurance program is a lot like getting the right dance shoe--it has to fit, it has to work well, and you have to be comfortable with it. Like a good dance shoe, a good dance insurance program can truly enhance your performance--all without giving you blisters or scrunching your toes.

Dance Insurance--Who Needs It?

You do. In fact, you really can't run your studio without it. Simply put, you need insurance because it protects you from financial loss. What happens if you have a property loss, such as a broken water pipe that ruins your dance floor, or a liability loss, such as when a dancer is injured and sues you for negligence?

If you don't have dance insurance, you have to pay for losses out of your own pocket. Paying to replace a floor is bad enough, but paying for a liability loss is even more expensive. You'd have to pay for a lawyer, and if you lost the case, the damages. Liability cases can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, so it's crucial to have liability insurance.

Not All Dance Insurance Programs are Created Equal

There are several ways to separate the really good dance insurance programs from the not-so-good:

• Does the program provide the coverage you need to fully protect your school?
• Does the company's claims team have experience handling highly emotional claims involving children?
• Does the company have risk-management experts who can help you make your studio safer?
• Is the company rated "A" or higher by independent insurance company analyst A.M. Best?