MULTI-AWARD WINNING & 5* RATED
Martial Arts Instructor Insurance That Goes Beyond Just Cover
Comprehensive, Flexible Insurance For Instructors — Backed By A Multi-Award-Winning, Independent Association Trusted By Thousands Across The UK
The Smarter Way To Insure Yourself As A Martial Arts Instructor
At BMABA CIC, we do things differently. Our martial arts instructor insurance isn’t just about ticking a box—it’s a complete, flexible solution designed around what real instructors actually need. Whether you’re a solo instructor teaching in hired halls, leading a team across multiple venues, or running an entire club, our cover moves with you. It’s backed by our governance as a UKAS-audited, FCA-registered, award-winning organisation.
You’ll benefit from full liability protection, optional extras like personal accident, equipment and abuse cover, and access to specialist tools and resources you won’t find anywhere else—safeguarding templates, licensing tools, CPD and more. We understand how instructors operate day-to-day, so we’ve built a policy that supports your work, your growth, and your students—not just your paperwork.
Affordable & Adaptable
Clear, scalable pricing with no extra charges for multiple styles, venues, or student numbers. Whether you’re part-time or full-time, your cover fits your teaching—not the other way around.
Insurance + Membership = One Powerful Package
Your cover includes full access to our instructor membership—CPD training, licensing tools, safeguarding templates, digital certs, and compliance dashboards. It’s a single platform for protection and progress.
Purpose-Built, Martial Arts-Specific Protection
Not just generic insurance. Our policies are crafted specifically for martial arts, with public liability, professional indemnity, student/volunteer cover, and full-contact options—all shaped by real-world experience.
Regulated, Respected & Instructor-Led
We’re governed to ISO 9001:2015 and FCA standards, and trusted by more than 6,500 instructors and volunteers nationwide. We’re self-funded, community-owned, and focused entirely on serving martial artists—not shareholders.
Multi-Award Winning & Nationally Recognised










































More Than Insurance — We’re the UK’s Independent Martial Arts Association Backing Your Club
Unlike insurers who offer nothing more than a certificate and a premium, we’re a not-for-profit, community-first organisation built to serve you — not shareholders.
That means when you insure with BMABA CIC, you’re not just ticking a legal box. You’re unlocking a complete ecosystem of tools, training, governance, and support — all included, and all at no extra cost.
- Full instructor and club licensing
- CPD-certified safeguarding & compliance training
- Free Club management and billing software
- Certification, Licencing & Support
- Plus Loads More
Available Cover
- We can offer a flexible approach to cover, providing only what you need via either our Group or Club products.
Public Liability Insurance (PL)
What it is:
This essential cover protects you if a member of the public — such as a parent, spectator, or passer-by — is injured or their property is damaged due to something that happens during your instruction.
Why you need it:
It’s the most common type of martial arts insurance claim. Whether you’re teaching in hired halls or private venues, PL ensures you’re covered if something goes wrong during a session.
Included Cover Level:
£5,000,000 as standard (option to upgrade to £10,000,000)
Example:
Someone trips on equipment left out and suffers an injury, or a phone is damaged during a demo. This policy helps cover legal defence and any compensation due.
Product Liability Insurance
What it is:
Product Liability covers you if someone is injured or their property is damaged due to a product you have supplied, sold, or provided — even if it was given for free — in the course of your instruction.
Why you need it:
If you sell uniforms, supply weapons, or provide training gear (even as part of a membership), you’re legally responsible for its safety. This policy protects you if a product causes harm, breaks during use, or is claimed to be defective.
Included Cover Level:
We combine this for free with your Public Liability
Example:
You provide a training weapon that splinters during use and causes injury. Even if you didn’t manufacture it, you could still be held liable. This policy helps cover legal costs and any compensation owed.
Professional Indemnity (PI)
What it is:
Cover for financial loss or reputational damage someone may claim because of advice or guidance you’ve given in your professional role as an instructor.
Why you need it:
If you give training advice, post content online, or offer instruction that someone believes caused them a loss — this protects your back.
Included Cover Level:
£1,000,000 included automatically
Example:
You share a training guide or give advice that leads to financial consequences or sparks a claim of defamation or copyright breach. PI cover steps in to protect you legally and financially.
Abuse Extension Cover
What it is:
Specialist legal protection if you’re accused of abuse or misconduct. This is not typically included in standard insurance policies.
Why you need it:
Even unproven allegations can be devastating. This policy gives you legal defence support if you’re ever accused of inappropriate behaviour or safeguarding failure.
Included Cover Level:
£500,000 automatically included
Example:
You’re accused of inappropriate conduct during a class. This policy helps fund legal defence and protects your reputation while the matter is resolved.
Personal Accident Cover
What it is:
Cover for injuries you sustain while teaching or training — even when no one is at fault.
Why you need it:
If you suffer an injury during your own sessions, this cover can help with fixed payouts for treatment or recovery costs, without needing to prove blame or liability.
Example:
You sprain your wrist while demonstrating a throw. This policy could pay a fixed amount to help cover physio or time off work.
Contents Cover
What it is:
Insurance for your personal martial arts equipment if it’s lost, stolen, or damaged.
Why you need it:
If you own pads, gloves, weapons, or mats and transport or store them for classes, this cover ensures you won’t be left out of pocket if something happens.
Included Cover Level:
Up to £5,000 as standard (higher limits available)
Example:
Your kit bag is stolen from your car, or your training mats are damaged in storage. This policy helps you replace what’s lost quickly.
Live Blade Insurance (Optional Extension)
What it is:
Optional cover for approved use of sharp swords or knives in traditional martial arts settings.
Why you need it:
If you perform or teach cutting demonstrations or use sharp weapons under controlled, declared conditions, this policy ensures you’re still protected.
Includes Cover For:
Live cutting demonstrations (e.g., tameshigiri)
Supervised training with sharp weapons
Transporting/importing blades for martial arts use
Example:
You demonstrate traditional sword cuts using a live blade in a seminar. With proper declarations and safety protocols, this extension ensures you’re covered.
Choose The Right Insurance For How You Teach
Whether you’re teaching solo or leading a team, we’ve got you covered with two powerful options. Not sure which suits you best? Use our quick comparison below to explore the difference and get the right fit.
Named Instructor Cover
Best for individual instructors who need cover in their own name.
This option is ideal if you’re a sole instructor, or if each member of your team needs personal cover in their own name that is always tied to them, 24/7. It gives full flexibility to teach under multiple clubs or brands, with personal certification and governance. Wherever you go, regardless of venue, cover follows because you as a named instructor are insured with membership.
Open Allocation Instructor Insurance
Best for clubs managing cover across multiple instructors.
This club-based option allows you to allocate insurance to one or more named instructors, all under your central membership. Perfect for clubs of any size needing flexibility and simplicity in managing team-wide cover and compliance. It allows multiple instructors to move in and out of cover, based on the total number of active ‘risks’ (classes being taught) at any one time.
Create A Policy That Matches Your Teaching Style
Select what you need, leave out what you don’t. Join the community.


More Than Just Insurance.
A Not-For-Profit Built To Serve UK Martial Arts.
When you insure through BMABA CIC, you’re not lining the pockets of shareholders or funding an overseas boardroom’s next Christmas party. We’re a UK-based, not-for-profit organisation — and every penny we earn is reinvested back into grassroots martial arts.
That means your policy does more than protect your classes — it powers scholarships for disadvantaged students, supports instructors through hardship, and drives national representation on safeguarding, licensing, and sector reform. From giving clubs a stronger voice in Parliament to funding free trauma-informed training and youth mentoring schemes, we don’t just talk about impact. We deliver it — every day, for thousands of instructors like you.
Multi-Award Winning & Nationally Recognised





































Testimonials
What do our members say?

John Matthews
Fantastic organisation - very welcomed in comparison to the usual organisations and NGBs out there.
Miles ahead of other organisations in terms of their transparency, attention to detail and genuine understanding of martial arts.
Very affordable, fair and a lovely team behind the scenes. Just moved our entire school across and very, very happy - no need to go anywhere else.

C. Sanderson
Very easy to navigate website making it an even more pleasant experience along with very friendly staff and members.
Fantastic Value for money and an association that puts its students and instructors first. Instructors have full autonomy over their club without any interference but with enough support to feel part of a valued and safe group.

Georgina
Found these guys in Martial Arts Illustrated doing a piece on professionalism in martial arts and thought, as an instructor, they might be worth looking at further. Really impressed from the moment I hit their website through to now, 3 months on as a member.
Quite alot of additional bits and pieces to look at, as my current org wasn't asking me to have any safeguarding or dbs etc - but I suppose that's only a good thing as it means i'm now properly checked and being professional.
Website is amazing - great member's area too. Unlike the normal stuff I'm used to seeing, having spent years with the other 'big players'. Great staff, Giovanni is rediculously knowledgable and our club is now growing under the banner of what has got to be the best martial arts org in the UK.

Michael Willington
The BMABA are unlike any other org I've come across in this industry. Their honest, professional, politics free and most importantly, they know what they're doing. Website is leaps and bounds ahead of the rest, insurance is comprehensive and their overall customer service is just unlike anything else I've had in 25 years of martial arts.
Amazing through and through. Would definitely recommend.

Jon D
I joined the BMABA right in its infancy (I believe I was their second member!). I had been searching, literally for a few years, to find an association where I could get away from the political wrangling, find support where and when I needed it, be regulated in a safe and formal way, but be left to run my classes as I wanted to run them.
Giovanni is the most helpful, respectful and genuine person who has turned the possibility of a non-political, highly respected and supportive Martial Arts Association into a reality. I cannot begin to understand how he has found the time, energy and ability to build the BMABA into the association it is today with a first class Team and unquestionable ethics, but this is what all other Martial Arts Associations need to aspire to.
I could bang on for hours about the BMABA but don't take my word for it - go and visit the BMABA website and see for yourself what support and benefits are on offer - it is light years ahead and exists for people who just want to enjoy teaching and practising their Art.

Ali Hasanzade
Someone has answered my gentle prayers and FINALLY designed an organisation that will leave you stress-free in the world of MARTIAL ARTS 🙂
I am so excited to leave my recommendation because words cannot describe how much BMABA means to me and how it has changed everything in my organisation for the better.

Fabian Burdett
As we all know 2020 has been the year from hell for martial arts. We have been push about and left in the dark. One thing that has come out of that is BMABA have done everything in their power to keep clubs like mine up to date with what's happening and tried to push the government to notice us. Couldn't wish for a better association to be a part of. From the courses to the schemes available to clubs. Can't wait to see where 2021 takes BMABA. We sure will be here to go for the ride
Once again big THANK YOU to you guys for all the help. 💙🐺👊
Date of experience: 17 November 2020

John Tomsett
I have been a customer of BMABA for two years now, and I am extremely impressed with their services. As a New City Martial Arts club, we were in need of a reliable Club Association and Insurance provider, and BMABA has exceeded our expectations in every aspect.
First and foremost, the customer service provided by BMABA is exceptional. Their team is responsive, professional, and genuinely dedicated to ensuring that our needs are met. Whenever we had a query or require assistance, they responded rapidly and effectively, addressing our concerns with a level of professionalism that is truly commendable.

Matthew Johnson
Having left my previous association in November, and being very daunted by the prospect of being responsible for all my own compliance and everything else I can honestly say BMABA have made the whole thing possible and even pleasant.
The training resources are great, it's been fantastic for me to be able to quickly up skill my team, the insurance is really easy to sort out, the team are super friendly and helpful, the perks on Gold membership are also fantastic.
I would love to be able to give something "constructive" but honestly I can't. From signing up for the gold package (the perks are great), additional insurances, licensing, LSGR, training, certificates for gradings and everything in between they've been really awesome.
If you're committed to doing things right, without breaking the bank, don't hesitate. Outstanding work guys, please keep it up

Adrian Jackson
Always quick to respond and thoughtful. Great service delivered at a very reasonable price and very supportive of the community. Been a member for a couple of years now and recommend highly

Matthew Robert Cooling-Stones
as i'm heading into the brave world of starting up my own small self defence club in our village, i can say with complete honesty and satisfaction that BMABA have been the most supportive and upfront association i have come across. the help they give setting up, and walking you through step by step, to the certifications they offer are a blessing for this industry. i have seen and had first hand experience with the Mcdojo's offering you the greatest adventures of a life time, and golden opportunities. but these guys are the real deal... i hold my head high, and say with great pride "i am a BMABA member"

Anna Martensson
From a £20 Start-Up to a Nationally Recognised Powerhouse — Built From Scratch, Driven By Purpose, that's BMABA CIC.
We’re not here because of government grants, NGB status, or Sport England funding — we’re here because thousands of instructors and clubs believed in a better way. BMABA CIC is entirely independent, self-funded, and not-for-profit. We’ve never taken shortcuts or silver spoons — but we’ve earned recognition at the highest levels of UK sport, including Sport England, DCMS, and national media, purely on merit. Every pound we generate — more than £2,100,000 to date — is reinvested directly into the UK martial arts community.
No gimmicks. No politics. No hidden shareholders.
We’ve built one of the UK’s most trusted martial arts ecosystems from the ground up. That means a comprehensive, style-agnostic governance system. Sector-leading vetting, safeguarding and compliance. Affordable insurance. Free club management software. Dozens of tools, licences, guidance and expert support — all included, all in one place.
We didn’t inherit a legacy. We forged one.
Whether you’re stepping out for the first time or have always been proudly independent, this is your home. To high places by narrow roads isn’t just a slogan — it’s how we got here.
A free club website and even the time with a developer, included.
We provide a complete club management platform with built-in billing, communication tools, student records, and more. And on top of that, we’ll also build you a fully hosted, professionally designed WordPress website — for free. This includes layout design, migration, and ongoing site management, all included as part of your membership.


INDUSTRY FIRST
Our instructor insurance covers the delivery of online lessons – both live broadcast and pre-recorded – as standard.
Whether you’re working with clients remotely or producing online video based content to support an online community, your standard BMABA cover includes this.
INDUSTRY FIRST
We provide completely free temporary instructor cover, to help you manage sickness and holiday cover.
As an association, we provide our clubs with free temporary instructor insurance. This allows instructors to designate stand-in instructors for emergency short term cover (to cover sickness absence etc) as well as pre-planned longer term cover for holidays, maternity and so on. This prevents clubs having to pay for a new annual policy for an instructor who may only be assisting with one or two sessions a year. You can request up to 7 days temporary cover, with longer periods available on discussion, whenever you find yourself short-staffed or unable to make a class. Basic terms apply.
INDUSTRY FIRST
Maternity Cover Package Included As Standard
We know that pregnancy can be a difficult time for many female instructors. For this reason, we provision an industry-first ‘maternity cover’ in which you can pause your instructor insurance and membership for up to 15 months to cover your time away from teaching.
During this time, you’ll remain a member and will continue to have access to our leading resources, community, app and tools. As soon as you’re ready to return to teaching you can simply ‘switch back on’ your remaining cover and membership. For larger clubs, if one of your team should enter maternity leave, you can also assign a stand-in instructor for the remainder of their membership if you don’t want to leave the maternity provision in place.
INDUSTRY FIRST
Paternity Cover Also Inclusive
Dads and life partners should be able to step off the mats for a period after the arrival of a newborn to spend time at home bonding, and supporting Mum. That’s why we now also provide paternity cover as standard.
This allows Father’s and Life Partners up to 6 weeks free of charge membership and insurance extensions to help ensure you’re not out of pocket from the arrival of a newborn (more than you already will be!). Alternatively, we’ll support an 8 week period of temporary membership and insurance if you would prefer to parachute in a relief instructor instead.
INDUSTRY FIRST
Free Cover For Birthday Parties!
We know that more now than ever, clubs are having to be inventive about how to bring funds in. That’s why we’ll endorse Birthday Parties, free of charge.
Provided you’re only providing martial arts orientated games, and there’s no projectiles or inflatables, you can use your BMABA instructor insurance which is provided with membership to cover your delivery of birthday parties.
Abuse Cover As Standard
If you’re falsely or wrongly accused of a safeguarding failure, you’ll often be shocked to find your instructor insurance provides no cover. That’s why we provide £500,000 Abuse Cover as standard, without any extra cost, to help instructors wrongly accused clear their name and defend their club.
INDUSTRY FIRST
Serving Food, Holiday Camps & Products Liability
We’ve worked with our insurer to specifically craft a definition that means our instructors can serve non-cooked food – such as light refreshments, packed lunch boxes, tea and coffee, and so on – all as part of their core cover.
This sits alongside our already existing products liability cover, that provides cover for goods sold or supplied – such as martial arts uniform or equipment.
FREE Club Management Software Exclusively Built By Us, Just For Our Clubs
All of our members get instant access to our cutting edge club mangeemnt platform. It’s free for all of our members and comes with a tonne of essential and groundbreaking features as standard.
Plus So Much More As Standard So Much More Than Just An Insurance Policy
A Governing Body With Teeth — Backed By Standards, Not Politics
BMABA isn’t just another association — we’re a nationally recognised, independently operated Governing Body with real authority. From ISO 9001 accreditation and Cyber Essentials certification to SCiMA registration, our credentials speak for themselves. We don’t answer to shareholders or committees — we answer to standards, governance, and the martial arts community we serve. That’s why thousands of instructors trust us to represent them at the highest level — with the compliance, legitimacy, and backbone your club deserves.





Disciplines Covered.
We can provide cover for more than 180 disciplines and styles, and this list can be revised with our insurer on request where-ever a genuine discipline or style requires endorsing.
Aiki JuJitsu |
Aikido |
Aiuchi Ju Jitsu |
Aiwakai Karate Do |
Ashihara Karate |
American Kempo |
Angampora |
Arnis |
Atemi |
Ba Ji Quan and Tai Chi |
Baguazhang |
Bajiquan |
Bajutsu |
Bando |
Bartitsu |
Bataireacht (Irish Stick Fighting) |
BMABA Approved Disciplines & Styles |
Bojitsu |
Bojuka |
Bojutsu |
Bokator |
Bokh (Mongolian Wrestling) |
Brazilian Ju Jitsu (BJJ) |
British Combat Judo |
British Folkstyle Wrestling |
Budokon |
Bujinkan Budo |
Bujinkan Budo Tai Jutsu |
Bujutsu |
Bushi Kempo |
Bushido |
Butthan |
Canne de Combat |
Capoeira |
Catch Wrestling |
Ch`uan Fa |
Ch`uan Shu |
Chambarra |
Cheibi Gad-Ga |
Chi Gong |
Chinese Kickboxing |
Choy Li Fut |
Choi Kwang Do |
Close Protection Training |
Close Quarter Combat (CQB) |
Combat Hapkido |
Combat Hopak |
Combat Sambo |
Conflict Management |
Coreeda |
Cuong Nhu |
Dacayana Eskrima |
Daido Juku Kudo |
Daito-ryu |
Daito-ryu Aiki Jujitsu |
Dambe |
Danzan Ryu |
Drunken Fist (Zui Quan) |
Dumog |
Eagle Claw Kung Fu |
Enshin Kaikan |
Escrima |
Fencing |
Feng Shou |
Filipino Martial Arts |
Fitness Orientated Kickboxing |
Folkstyle Wrestling |
Freestyle Jujitsu |
Freestyle Karate |
Freestyle Karate Jutsu |
Freestyle Kung Fu |
Freestyle Kickboxing |
Freestyle Taekwondo |
Fu Jow Pai |
Gatka |
Glima |
Goju Kai Karate Do |
Goju Ryu Karate |
Gongkwon Yusul |
Goshin Jutsu |
Goshin Ryu Kempo Jujitsu |
Haidong Gumdo |
Hakuda |
Han Mu Do |
Hanbojutsu |
Hapkido |
Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) |
Historical Fencing |
Hojojitsu |
Hsing-i |
Hsing-yi |
Hung Ga |
Huyen Langlon |
Hwa Rang Do |
Hwarang-do |
Iaido |
Iaijutsu |
Icho-Ryu |
Iinkai Judo |
Isshin-Ryu Karate |
Itto-Ryu |
Jado Kuin Do |
Japanese Shotokan Karate |
Jeet Kune Do |
Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido |
Jojutsu |
Judo |
Jujitsu |
Jun Fan Gung Fu |
Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do |
Jutsu |
Kaiai Jitsu |
Kajukenbo |
Kalaripayattu |
Kali |
Kali Silat |
KAPAP |
Karate |
Karate Jutsu |
Karate-Do |
Karate-Jitsu |
Kaze Arashi Ryu |
Kempo |
Kempo Jujitsu |
Kempo Ryu |
Ken Fat |
Kendo |
Kenjutsu |
Kenpo |
Kenshin Karate |
Keysi |
Ki Aikido |
Kick Boxing |
Ko Budo |
Kobudo |
Kokondo |
Korean Kickboxing |
Koryu Uchinadi |
Krabi-Krabong |
Krav Maga |
Kuk Sool Won |
Kumdo |
Kung Fu |
Kung Fu To’a |
Kyokushinkai Karate |
Kyudo |
Lathi Khela |
Lau Gar |
Lau Gar Kickboxing |
Lau Gar Kung Fu |
Lee Style Tai Chi |
Leopard Kung Fu (Bao Quan) |
Lerdrit |
Maarlisk |
Malla Yuddha |
Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) |
Martial Arts Based Fitness |
Martial Arts Wrestling |
Military Martial Arts |
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) |
Monkey Kung Fu (Hou Quan) |
Muay Boran |
Muay Thai |
Nearu Martial Art |
Nihon Goshin Ju Jitsu |
Ninjitsu |
Ninpo Taijutsu |
Ninjutsu |
Niten Ichi-Ryu |
North West Chinese Kickboxing |
Okichitaw |
Pa Kua |
Pa Qua |
Panantukan |
Pankration |
Personal Protection |
Physical Intervention |
Pradal Serey |
Qi Kwan Do |
Qwan Ki Do |
Quan Fa |
Reality Based Martial Arts |
Russian Martial Arts |
Sanjuro Martial Arts |
Sankukai Karate |
Sanshou |
Sarak |
Sarit |
Savate |
Seiki Juku Karate |
Self Defence |
Self Protection |
Shaolin Kempo Karate |
Shaolin Kung Fu |
Shaolin-Tsu Kempo |
Shintaido |
Shito-Ryu Karate |
Shindo Jinen Ryu |
Shorinji Kempo |
Shorin-Ryu Karate |
Shotokan Goju Ryu |
Shotokan Karate |
Shuai Chiao |
Shuai Jiao |
Shukokai |
Shukokai Karate |
Shuri-Ryu |
Sibpalki |
Sikaran |
Silambam |
Silat |
Sokudo |
Soo Bahk Do |
Sport Boxing (Martial Arts Based) |
Sport Karate |
Sport Sambo |
Ssireum |
Submission Wrestling |
Sumai |
Sumo |
Sulkido |
Systema |
Taekkyeon |
Taekwondo |
Tai Chi |
Tai Chi Chuan |
Tai Jutsu |
Taido |
Taijutsu |
Tang Soo Do |
Thai Boxing |
Thang-ta |
Tiger Claw Kung Fu (Fu Jow Pai) |
Tora Kai |
Traditional Aikido |
Traditional Italian Martial Arts |
Traditional Karate |
Traditional Wado Ryu |
Unarmed Combat |
Viet Vo Dao |
Wado Ryu Karate |
Wing Chun |
Wing Chun Kung Fu |
Wing Tsun |
World Tang Soo Do |
Wushu |
Yoseikan Budo |
Zen Shin Karate |
Weapons Included
You won’t pay a penny more for including up to nearly 100 training weapons and aids. We can also provide standalone live blade insurance, should you need it for test cutting and demonstrations.
3 Section Staff |
6″ Staff |
Bamboo Sword |
Baton |
Blunted Metal Sabre |
Bo |
Bo Staff |
Bokken |
Bow & Arrow** |
Broadsword (Blunted) |
Broadsword (Wooden) |
Butterfly Knives (No Live Blades) |
Cane |
Chain |
Chain Whip |
Clubs |
Clubs (Wooden) |
Cosh (Blunted Blade Only) |
Dagger (Blunted Blade Only) |
Dan Bong (Short Sticks) |
Dummy Weapons |
Escrima |
Escrima Sticks |
Fan |
Foam Batons |
Foam Weapons |
Focus Mitts |
Guns (Plastic) |
Habo Staffs |
Hanbo |
Iaito (Practice Only) |
Janbo |
Jo |
Jo Staff |
Jutte/Jitte |
Kali Sticks |
Kama (Blunted Blade Only) |
Katana (Blunted Blade Only) |
Kendo Shinai |
Kenpo Sticks |
Knives (Blunted Metal) |
Knives (Plastic) |
Knives (Rubber) |
Knives (Wooden) |
Kubotan |
Kunai (Blunted Blade Only) |
Leather Whip |
Naginta (Blunted Blade) |
Nawa |
Nunchaku |
Padded Sticks |
Padded Weapons |
Plastic Bottle |
Plastic Weapons (No Live Blades) |
Pole |
Practice Sword (No Live Blades) |
Qiang |
Rice Flail |
Rokushaku Bo (Japanese Staff) |
Rope |
Rubber Sticks |
Rubber Weapons |
Safety Weapons |
Sai |
Shaolin Staff |
Shields |
Shinai (Blunted Blade Only) |
Shoriken |
Shuko (Demonstration Only) |
Spear |
Staff |
Sticks |
Swords (Blunted Metal) |
Swords (Plastic) |
Swords (Rubber) |
Swords (Wooden) |
Tai Chi Sword (Blunted Blade Only) |
Tambo |
Tanto |
Tessen |
Tiger Fork |
Togakure Bokken |
Tonfa |
Training Knife (No Live Blades) |
Training Swords (No Live Blades) |
Training Weapons (No Live Blades) |
Wing Chun Pole |
Wooden Shou |
Wooden Weapons (No Live Blades) |
Led By The Multi-Award Winning Social Entrepreneur & Men's Health Coach Of The Year
We were set up in 2020 by Giovanni Soffietto – a then unknown twenty year old who had grown up in poverty. Armed with just £20 of ‘start up capital’ but a life-time of passion for martial arts, BMABA has today become the multi-award winning organisation renowned for professionalism and for being a major industry disruptor.
meet the team
Powered by our people
GIOVANNI
KIRSTY
niki
Catherine
BELLA
RAINER
ANNA
Christina
JOE
CATHIE
Tharsh
AIMEE
ELIZABETH
Club Management Software Included Free
We provide all of our members with free access to Club Manager by BMABA – a completely bespoke club management system for martial arts clubs, built by BMABA, the martial arts experts.
From online payments and attendance tracking to belts, gradings, a website and club shop – it’s included as part of the price.
Everything Your Club Will Ever Need To Grow, All Inclusive
From template documents like assumption of risk forms and safeguarding policies, to SEO platforms, AI and Budgeting apps. Safeguarding advice to qualifications, concussion training through to First Aid awards. There’s so much more included at no extra cost with your BMABA membership, served in-conjunction with your instructor insurance.
Constantly rated 5 stars by our members.

Expert Support You Can Count On
We’re a professionally-run, award-winning organisation with dedicated offices and experienced, trained staff. Our in-house policy specialist combines years of insurance broking experience with a lifelong martial arts background — spanning both traditional and modern disciplines. That means you get expert help that truly understands the practical realities of teaching, as well as the technical side of insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions
BMABA offers two professional-grade instructor insurance models: Named Instructor Insurance, which insures an individual instructor by name, and Open Allocation Instructor Insurance, which provides flexible cover that can be rotated across multiple eligible instructors within a club. Both models include full access to core cover and optional upgrades and are designed to accommodate both solo instructors and larger teaching teams.
Named cover applies to one specific instructor and is ideal for solo operators or instructors who want a clear, named certificate for facility hire or public contracts. Open Allocation is designed for clubs with multiple instructors — for example, 3 active covers shared across a team of 5. It allows flexibility, provided no more than the covered number are actively instructing at the same time, and all are pre-vetted and registered.
No. You can join as a member without holding insurance. We offer standalone membership options for those who already have cover elsewhere or who teach under an umbrella organisation. However, to benefit from our insurance (which includes extensive governance and vetting), you must hold an active membership.
No. All insurance policies must be held alongside an active BMABA membership. This is fundamental to our model: we ensure only properly vetted, insured, and competent instructors access cover. It also enables us to offer governance oversight and compliance support, which makes the cover stronger and more defensible in a claim scenario.
Our instructor cover includes:
£5,000,000 Public Liability Insurance as standard (upgradeable to £10m)
- £1,000,000 Products Liability
£1,000,000 Professional Indemnity Insurance
£500,000 Abuse Extension Cover
Access to optional add-ons like Personal Accident, Equipment Cover, and Live Blade Insurance
All policies are underwritten by UK-regulated insurers, and our team can assist with claim scenarios or technical clarifications.
Not necessarily. While many insurers require traditional grades, BMABA allows for equivalency recognition. If you can demonstrate credible experience, time-served instructing, and peer/club validation — we may accept this as equivalent to a black belt. This ensures instructors from disciplines like MMA or Krav Maga aren’t excluded unfairly.
Yes. Assistants and volunteers can be insured either by taking Named Insurance or by being registered as part of an Open Allocation model. They must still undergo vetting to ensure they meet our minimum standards, including appropriate safeguarding and supervision.
BMABA offers a Black Belt Equivalency Pathway. You’ll need to provide contextual evidence — including witness testimonials, teaching history, and training logs. We understand many instructors operate outside formal grading systems, and we evaluate each application case-by-case.
Yes. Our policies cover instruction in a wide range of settings — including parks, private homes, community centres, and commercial studios — as long as you follow appropriate risk assessment and safeguarding protocols. We understand modern instructors need flexibility.
Yes. You are fully covered for teaching private sessions, whether online or in person, providing your instruction follows your declared discipline and you meet safeguarding requirements. This includes personal training, virtual coaching, or small group instruction.
Unfortunately all cover is UK only.
Yes — traditional weapon use (e.g., bo staff, sai, nunchaku, katana) and contact sparring, including full-contact formats, are included if they are part of your declared syllabus. As long as safety protocols are followed, you’re covered — unlike many general sports policies that exclude these risks.
Abuse Extension is a rare and critical safeguard. It covers legal defence costs if an instructor is accused of inappropriate conduct — even if the claim is ultimately unfounded. Many policies exclude this entirely, leaving instructors personally liable. We include £500,000 of cover by default for peace of mind.
Yes — but only on a controlled, pre-approved basis. It covers live cutting demonstrations (e.g. Tameshigiri, Iaido, HEMA) where sharp blades are used under strict safety supervision. Activities must be declared, risk assessed, and approved before cover is granted. Live Blade cover needs to be added on after your membership and core insurance is live, and starts at £100.00 for instructors on top of any regular insurance and membership fees.
Absolutely. We specialise in real-world, high-intensity martial arts — including full-contact formats and competitive sparring. Unlike many mainstream insurers, we understand and underwrite for styles like BJJ, No-Gi, MMA, and self-defence-based arts.
Yes — Personal Accident Cover is available as an optional upgrade. It provides predefined payouts for accidental injuries you suffer during teaching or training, regardless of who’s at fault. This includes temporary disability, dental injuries, and physiotherapy.
No — policies are set annually. However, Open Allocation Insurance allows clubs or teams to manage active instructor numbers more flexibly. If you’re not teaching for a period, you can rotate cover to another eligible instructor in your team.
It’s not required, but strongly encouraged. To support best practice, we include access to BMABA’s own Coaching Qualifications (Level 1 & 2) free with all memberships, helping you meet insurer expectations and modern safeguarding standards.
Yes — that’s the purpose of Open Allocation. You can register as many instructors as you like; just ensure no more than your insured count are instructing simultaneously, and that all named instructors meet vetting and governance requirements.
It’s worth noting that memberships aren’t transferable, meaning once you assign an instructor to a membership, it’s then considered ‘spent’ so you will need to add on a new membership to add someone new to the cover, but this can be done on a pro-rata basis.
No. You’re covered across all UK venues, clubs, and settings where you are instructing within the scope of your declared style(s). Whether you freelance, subcontract, or teach at multiple gyms, your cover remains valid.
You’ll receive renewal notifications. If you allow your cover to lapse, there is no retroactive protection — you must reapply. Any teaching conducted while uninsured would not be covered. This is why we encourage early renewal and policy awareness.
Yes. All cover is underwritten by regulated UK insurers, and policies are accompanied by formal certificates of insurance. These meet the documentation and assurance needs of local authorities, schools, leisure centres, and commercial landlords.
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