Multi-Award Winning
Specialist Martial Arts Club Insurance For Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Comprehensive cover for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) clubs — from striking to grappling, cage work to cross-training — all with licensing, governance and compliance built-in.
BMABA CIC
The Smarter Way To Insure & Licence Your Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Club
Martial Arts Club Insurance That Works As Hard As You Do
At BMABA CIC, we provide comprehensive, affordable, and flexible martial arts insurance designed around what real clubs and instructors actually need. Our cover isn’t just “off the shelf” — it’s built on more than a decade of hands-on industry leadership by a not-for-profit organisation that actively supports and advocates for UK martial arts. From instructors and students to equipment and businesses, we offer a single, easy-to-manage solution that supports your club’s insurance, compliance, safeguarding, and growth — all from one place.
As a UKAS-accredited ISO 9001:2015 audited organisation and an FCA-registered Introducer Appointed Representative, you can trust that our governance is as strong as our values. With more than 100,000 members supported across 6,500+ instructors, assistants, and volunteers from over 3,000 clubs, our cover is trusted by a vast and diverse community of martial arts professionals across the UK.
-
Flexible & Affordable
Choose from simple monthly or annual plans, with no extra charges for multiple styles or weapons. You get scaleable coverage tailored to your club’s size and activity—whether you’re running one class or many.
-
Insurance + Membership = One Package
Your policy isn’t standalone. It includes full membership access—CPD training, safeguarding tools, licensing, club software, digital certificates, compliance dashboards, and more—all with no additional fees.
-
Expert Guidance, No Pressure
We provide clear, jargon-free advice before you sign up, walk you through what’s covered, and guide you through claims if ever needed. No surprises—just straightforward support.
-
Martial Arts-Specific Protection
Our cover is crafted exclusively for martial arts instructors and clubs—public liability, professional indemnity, student liability, personal accident, contents, abuse cover, and employer’s liability. It’s all backed by AXA and shaped by over a decade of martial arts governance experience.
-
Regulated, Accredited & Impact-Led
We’re a UKAS-accredited ISO 9001:2015 audited and FCA‑registered Introducer Appointed Representative, plus a multi‑award‑winning social enterprise. Our standards, transparency, and social mission set us apart.
-
Trusted by 3,000+ Clubs
More than 100,000 members supported by 6,500+ instructors, assistants & volunteers trust our insurance and membership. From grassroots dojos to full academies across all martial arts styles.
Multi-Award Winning & Nationally Recognised





































Why MMA Clubs Choose BMABA
What sets us apart?
MMA clubs don’t follow one rulebook — and that’s exactly why so many struggle to find insurers or associations who truly understand the sport. From cage-based full contact to hybrid gyms blending BJJ, Muay Thai, wrestling, and beyond, most providers can’t keep up — and that can leave you vulnerable.
We’ve built our governance, cover, and support around the complexity and evolution of MMA. That means no assumptions, no missing compliance, and no blanket policies that don’t reflect your club. Just clear, robust, style-aware protection — built for MMA.

Full Contact & Hybrid Cover Without The Red Tape
MMA is hands-on. We don’t hide behind clauses or grey areas. Our cover supports stand-up and ground-based contact, sparring, grappling, and hybrid instruction — all clearly written into your policy.
Governance That Moves With The Sport
MMA evolves fast. Our compliance systems aren’t stuck in the past. Whether you run MMA-Fitness classes, cage-based sparring, or youth self-defence, we’ve got the licensing and governance tools to support your model — without forcing you to conform to outdated templates.
Black Belt Equivalency For Hybrid Experience
We understand your instructors may hold belts across multiple disciplines — or none at all. That’s why we offer a flexible but robust Black Belt Equivalency process, giving experienced coaches a legitimate, recognised pathway based on their track record, not paperwork.
No Politics. No Drama. Just Support.
We don’t get involved in how you train or who you affiliate with. Whether you’re a local gym or a national brand, we offer expert guidance, not interference. You run your club. We’ve just got your back.





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.
Instructors & Coaches
BMABA CIC offers both Named Instructor Insurance and Open Allocation Instructor Insurance to suit clubs of all sizes and operational structures.
Whether you’re insuring a single lead instructor or need flexible cover for a team of rotating staff, we’ve got you covered.
Both formats include:
£5,000,000 Public Liability (PL) as standard
(Optional upgrade to £10,000,000 available)£1,000,000 Professional Indemnity (PI)
£500,000 Abuse Extension Cover
Additional options include:
Contents Cover up to £5,000 for club-owned items and training equipment
Instructor Personal Accident Insurance, offering additional protection for accidental injury
Our cover is built specifically for martial arts instructors teaching across 180+ disciplines and is underwritten by AXA, accessed via our FCA-regulated broker.
Cover is as low as £57.99 per annum.
Students
BMABA provides comprehensive student cover that automatically integrates with our licensing and club management ecosystem — ensuring complete peace of mind and regulatory compliance.
Student Public Liability (PL) options include:
£1,000,000 as standard
Optional upgrades to £2,000,000 or £5,000,000
Optional Personal Accident Insurance available on a per-student basis
Every insured student is also licensed and registered via either a Named or Open Allocation system — unlocking access to:
The BMABA Lifetime Student Grade Register (LSGR)
Our national safeguarding reporting mechanisms
Instructor-verified certification and record-keeping
Our free Club Management Platform, with tools for attendance, grading, communications, and more
This isn’t just student insurance — it’s a full-circle membership and safeguarding framework built into your club’s governance.
Whether you want an open book (‘blanket cover’) which you manage at club level yourself, or a more traditional, formal named system with lifetime licences – we’ve got both.
Cover is available from as little as £0.46 per student slot, per annum.
Clubs & Businesses
While we don’t cover premises or venues, we offer a robust business-style insurance package often referred to as Club Insurance — ideal for limited companies, CICs, LLPs, or other incorporated legal entities.
This cover includes:
£5,000,000 Public Liability
£1,000,000 Professional Indemnity
£500,000 Abuse Extension Cover
£10,000,000 Employers’ Liability Insurance
This optional layer of protection is perfect for clubs operating under a formal legal structure, where the liability resides with the organisation rather than the individual instructors. It offers peace of mind for directors, trustees, or committee-led structures wanting additional risk protection. It is not a replacement for instructor public liability, but instead an optional extra.
Volunteers & Assistant Instructors
While we do not offer standalone policies for assistants or volunteers, our insurance framework is designed to safely include them under an instructor’s supervision.
Provided your assistant instructors or club volunteers are:
Fully supervised at all times
Not operating independently or leading classes
They are considered to fall under the scope of the lead instructor’s insurance — giving your club flexibility to grow and mentor new talent without additional cost or administrative burden.
This structure ensures clubs can scale safely and responsibly, with the backing of a policy built around real-world club operations.
Events Cover
Whether you’re running a local seminar, organising an inter-club competition, or attending a public demo, we can help ensure your club is appropriately protected during one-off or recurring events.
Our events cover is available as an extension of your existing club or instructor insurance, with options to scale based on the number of attendees, the nature of the event, and whether spectators or third parties are involved.
Key features include:
Public Liability Cover up to £5 million (or £10 million on request)
Cover for both licensed and non-licensed attendees (with appropriate vetting)
Support for multi-style and mixed-discipline events
Option to include cover for demonstrations, public participation, or external venues
Documentation provided in advance to satisfy venue or council requirements
Flexible pricing for single-day or multi-day events
All events must meet our safe practice and instructor supervision standards, and we’re happy to provide guidance in advance to ensure you remain fully compliant.
If you’re not sure whether your event is covered under your core policy, or whether additional protection is needed, our team can offer clear, no-obligation advice.
Live Blade Use & Insurance
Live blades — including sharp swords, knives, and other edged weapons — are a highly specialised area of martial arts that require careful handling, clear justification, and robust insurance oversight.
BMABA CIC can provide cover for live blade use under certain strict conditions and only when justified for technical demonstrations, kata, or traditional weapons-based practice within a regulated martial arts setting.
Key Points:
Live blade cover is not automatically included and must be requested and approved in advance
You must be able to justify the instructional or traditional purpose for live blade use
Cover is only available where the instructor is appropriately insured and licensed through BMABA
Spectator or public demo use of live blades will require separate risk assessment and event authorisation
Clubs must comply with our minimum safety standards including:
Controlled environments
Supervised use only
No sparring or contact with live blades
Safe storage and transportation practices
Our team can work with you to review your proposed usage and ensure any live blade activity is safely within the scope of cover. If not, we’ll provide clear guidance on adjustments or exclusions.
Explore pricing and build your own bespoke club cover package.
Select what you need, leave out what you don’t. Join the community.
More Than Just Insurance — A Complete Club Ecosystem Included
Your club cover comes with expert tools, compliance support, licensing, training, and governance — all included as standard, with no hidden fees.

Not-For-Profit, Instructor-Led, & Independent
We’re a UKAS-accredited community interest company and we're a social enterprise built by instructors, for instructors — not a commercial insurer. Every penny is reinvested into grassroots martial arts support, safeguarding, and national progress, not shareholder profits.

Unmatched Tools, Tech & Training
Access a full suite of resources including student systems, Club Manager software, licensing dashboards, CPD-certified safeguarding courses, digital certificates, and live compliance tools — all included with membership.

Regulation-Ready Governance & Recognition
We’re ISO 9001:2015 certified and nationally respected. From safeguarding and DBS to CHIMA, SYV, TIC and MHFA training, we lead the way on safety, accountability and good governance — ready for a regulated future.

Trusted by Thousands, Respected Nationwide
More than 3,000 clubs and 6,500 instructors trust BMABA to lead on insurance, compliance, and club development — with over 100,000 members supported across the UK. We’re the gold standard for independent clubs.
Flexible & Affordable
You can pick and choose what you need and leave off what you don’t, choosing from pay monthly or pay annually.
Build Your Own Club Package
Fully made to measure your unique club, because no two dojos are the same.
- Instructor insurance from £54.99
- Student Cover from £0.49
- Business Insurance from £169.99
- Pay Annually or Monthly
- Not For Profit & Re-Invested Into UK Martial Arts
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.
CLUB MANAGEMENT & BILLING
A completely free, easy-to-use club management system that makes running your club simple.
ClubManager by BMABA is our comprehensive, all-in-one club management platform — built exclusively for our members and completely free to use. It handles everything from student records, grading, billing, and attendance through to safeguarding, compliance, finances, budgeting, communications, and so much more — all under one simple, intuitive system.

Professional, Expert Certification & licencing
Whether it’s your student licence slips for the next event, or your instructor insurance documentation for the primary school you’re about to start teaching at; you need to know that the certification you hand over is professional, and will have your back.
We’ve issued over 1,000,000 certificates since 2012, across a range of insurances, licences and memberships and all of our documentation – both digital and in print – looks the part, and helps you do your part.
With enhanced security features like UV stamps, embossed foils and unique identification numbers linked to national instructor registers, there’s nobody else in UK martial arts who can help do the quality of your teaching justice like BMABA,
Why Join?
Because We’re a Martial Arts Trade Body — Not a Corporate Insurer That Doesn’t Understand What You Do
Insurers don’t speak up for martial arts — they sell policies. When the sector faces serious pressure — whether it’s COVID lockdowns, safeguarding reform triggered by coroner inquests, or growing calls for national regulation — most insurers stay silent. They won’t fight for independent clubs, push for better standards, or represent your voice where it matters.
BMABA CIC is different.
We lead from the front — representing our clubs at the highest levels with Sport England, DCMS, media and beyond. We don’t just react, we help shape the future of martial arts in the UK. Whether it’s safeguarding, concussion protocols, or governance reform, we’re the voice for instructors who would otherwise be left out of the conversation.
And because we know how unclear insurance can be, we don’t just hand you a lengthy policy document. We translate everything into plain, martial arts-specific guidance through our handbook — so you know exactly what’s covered, without the guesswork.
Monthly or Annually
We’ll support your cashflow with flexible payment options — pay monthly or annually, whichever suits your club best.
Bespoke Arrangements
Can’t find what you need? We’ve quoted and configured countless unique club setups. If your structure is a bit different, we’ll do our best to help.
Always Updated
We’re constantly releasing new features, training, resources, and tech. All existing members benefit — not just the new ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can’t find the answer to what you’re looking for, please jump onto wen chat and we’ll be happy to help.
We’re not here to tell you what you should do — that decision is entirely yours. What we can say is that BMABA CIC is a UKAS-accredited, ISO 9001:2015 audited, not-for-profit association that’s recognised across the martial arts sector for our governance, safeguarding, and compliance leadership.
When you join us, you don’t just get an insurance policy — you gain access to a full membership package including licensing, instructor support, safeguarding training, live verification, digital certificates, club management software, and more. All of this is included at no extra cost, with the total price typically equal to what you’d pay for insurance alone with a standalone provider.
That’s possible because we’re a not-for-profit — we don’t pay shareholders, we reinvest into better tools, resources, and support for the martial arts community.
Yes, absolutely — and we actively encourage that. We publish comprehensive handbook articles explaining each part of the cover in plain English. Each insurance product also includes access to the insurer’s policy schedule and wording documents, so you can review everything carefully before committing.
We want you to be informed, confident, and in control of your decision.
You can explore the broader handbook from the below links, but here are the core handbook articles that relate to most aspects of cover being discussed here;
We understand that insurance can feel overwhelming, especially if this is your first time arranging it. While we can’t offer specific insurance advice — as it’s a regulated activity — we can help explain your options clearly.
Most small clubs typically only require instructor public liability, which we provide as standard alongside professional indemnity and abuse cover. You may also choose to insure students, but there’s no pressure to include anything you don’t need.
Our team is here to talk through your options and help you understand what works best for your situation.
We avoid calling it “blanket cover” as that term can be misleading, but yes — we offer a flexible model called open allocation that works in a similar way.
For students, you don’t need to name each individual. You can simply cover the number of active students at your club, provided you keep your records accurate. Our free club management platform can help you manage this easily.
For instructors, you can purchase the number of active instructor insurances needed at any one time. For example, if 10 instructors rotate but only 2 are teaching at once, you can hold 10 memberships and 2 active insurances. It’s a flexible and cost-effective way to protect your team.
We offer one of the most complete membership packages in martial arts — and it’s all included with your insurance at no extra cost.
This includes a free club management platform, free custom-built website with design and migration, branded email accounts, digital risk assessments, safeguarding tools, policy builders, CPD training, licensing systems, and much more. We also provide SEO and growth support, automation tools, and access to hundreds of resources — all designed to help your club thrive.
Still have questions?
I you can’t find answers to your questions in our FAQ section, we’d love to connect with you either on web chat or 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.


What Cover Does &
What Its For
Public Liability (PL) Cover
Public Liability (PL) Cover
Public Liability is the most essential type of insurance for any instructor, club, or student. It protects you if a member of the public — including students, parents, spectators, or bystanders — is injured or their property is damaged due to negligence during a martial arts activity.
Cover Levels:
Instructors: £5,000,000 as standard (optional upgrade to £10,000,000)
Clubs: £5,000,000
Students: £1,000,000, £2,000,000, or £5,000,000
Example:
A student trips over equipment left out during a class and suffers an injury, or a parent’s phone is damaged during a demonstration. Public Liability Insurance would cover the legal costs and compensation arising from such claims.
This is the most common type of insurance claim in martial arts and is widely considered essential for everyone involved in delivering instruction.
Professional Indemnity (PI) Cover
Professional Indemnity provides cover when someone claims financial loss or reputational damage due to advice, guidance, or information you provided in your professional capacity.
Cover Level:
£1,000,000 included automatically for all instructors and clubs
Example:
You recommend a course of action to a student that leads to financial loss, or you unintentionally publish something on your website or social media that results in a defamation claim or copyright breach.
Professional Indemnity does not cover physical injury — that is the role of Public Liability. It is designed for claims arising from advice, contractual disputes, or unintentional misuse of information.
Abuse Extension Cover
Abuse Cover is a highly specialist form of insurance that provides legal protection in the event of an allegation of abuse. It is not included in standard Public Liability or Professional Indemnity policies.
Cover Level:
£500,000 provided automatically for all instructors and clubs
Example:
If an instructor is accused of inappropriate conduct, this policy helps cover legal defence costs. It can also protect the club if it is implicated in a safeguarding oversight or failure in duty of care.
This cover is rare and only available through a few select insurers. It exists to ensure instructors and clubs are not left without legal protection in serious allegations, even if the claim is ultimately unfounded.
Personal Accident (PA) Cover
Personal Accident Cover allows instructors or students to claim for injuries sustained during training, regardless of who is at fault. It provides predefined payouts for specific injuries without requiring legal liability to be proven.
Example:
A student sprains their wrist during individual practice. Even if no one caused the injury, they could still receive financial support for physiotherapy or time off work.
Cover amounts are generally smaller and specific — such as fixed amounts for dental injuries, physiotherapy, or temporary disablement — rather than large legal compensation.
Contents Cover
Contents Insurance covers martial arts equipment owned by instructors or clubs if it is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Cover Level:
Up to £5,000 as standard (more available on request)
Example:
An instructor’s pads and gloves are stolen from their car, or mats stored in a facility are damaged by flooding. Contents cover helps you quickly replace the items and return to normal operations.
This type of cover is particularly useful for clubs and instructors who own or transport significant amounts of training equipment.
Employers’ Liability Insurance (EL)
Employers’ Liability is legally required for any club that has staff, freelance instructors, volunteers, or anyone working under its direction — paid or unpaid.
Cover Level:
£10,000,000
Example:
A volunteer assisting with class setup injures their back. Even if they are not employed in a formal sense, the club may still be legally liable. EL ensures protection in these situations.
This cover is often overlooked but is a legal obligation for most clubs working with additional personnel.
Live Blade Cover
Live Blade Insurance is available as an optional extension and applies only in controlled, pre-approved martial arts contexts.
What It Covers:
Traditional cutting demonstrations (e.g., tameshigiri)
Supervised instructional use of sharp swords or knives
Transporting or importing blades for martial arts use
Example:
A HEMA or Iaido instructor conducts a live cutting demonstration using sharp swords for senior students. Provided this is declared and approved in advance, the use would be covered under this optional policy extension.
Live blade cover is not granted automatically and must meet strict safety standards, including supervision, purpose, and environment.

We Can Help Upskill Your Team. Or Not. It's Your Choice.
Inclusive in any fees paid is access to MyBMABA for you and any of your instructors, assistants and volunteers. This can be used to provide exclusive access to content, courses and qualifications from safeguarding and coaching to first aid and concussion management.
If that doesn’t work for your club, you can decide not to grant your team MyBMABA access. It’s entirely up to you.

We'll Help Tackle That Mountain of Admin!
Whether it’s setting up a management account for your club secretary can login and take care of student registrations, through to the completely inclusive Club Management Platform; we’ve got dozens of resources and systems in place that can help tackle the issue of admin.
With you every step of the way
We're confident there's nobody else in UK martial arts doing what we're doing. From the core cover and licencing needs through to essentials like DBS checks and safeguarding, through to the latest technology - we're in your corner.
Often for less than an insurer's standard premium we can offer so much more. One place. One Membership. From a trade body built on reputation and renowned for helping clubs grow professionally and fairly.
The Basics
Insurance, licensing, DBS checks, safeguarding, first aid - the core stuff you need to function on a day to day basis. We've got it.
Expanding
Whether it's growing your student base or taking on private tuition. Corporate clients through to events; we'll help you expand.
The Moonshot
With the latest technology and services - such as AI, SEO, Analytics, and so much more. We'll help you shoot for the moon.
Multi-Award Winning & As Seen On Various Platforms











Plus So Much More As Standard Just Some Of The Tools & Resources We Offer

FREE Club Management Software Exclusively Built By Us, Just For Our Clubs
Our MyBMABA Club Management Platform combines club management, billing and marketing into one place. It’s free for all of our members and comes with a tonne of essential and groundbreaking features as standard.
More questions answered.
Broader Questions
How much does club cover cost?
How much we charge depends on how big the club is, and how many people (instructors and students) are needed, as well as the specifics of the insurance you may or may not want. All of our pricing is transparent and you can ‘have a play’ with pricing in full from here.
Is cover venue specific?
No, it’s not. We cover based on a ‘per instructor’ or ‘per student’ basis – so anyone covered under our group cover policy can teach or train in any location, under any club and in any style provided it’s a BMABA club.
What is your claims history like?
We fortunately (touch wood!) suffer very few claims. This is in part because we’re a professional organisation that only attracts top-quality instructors, but it’s also (we think) due to us being absolutely clear on what insurance will and won’t cover. We don’t leave that sort of thing up to chance.
So far we’ve had an excellent experience with AXA (our insurer) who have never failed to honour a claim process for a registered instructor or club who is on-side with our guidelines.
How much control do you take over my club?
None.
Provided you meet our minimum standards for safeguarding, professionalism, and ethics, you retain full sovereignty over your club. We don’t interfere with your gradings, your syllabus, or your internal structure — and you’ll never be told how to teach, who to promote, or what to charge.
Unlike the old boys’ networks, we don’t sit on your grading panels, insist on uniform standards, or try to bleed your club dry. We don’t charge you £20+ per student to issue insurance, and we won’t force you to use branded certificates or follow a rigid syllabus.
From day to day, most of our work runs silently in the background — things like technology infrastructure, regulatory compliance, policy development, websites, and safeguarding frameworks. You’ll never be micromanaged, and you’re free to use as much or as little of our guidance, support and tools as you like.
Insurance is optional. You grade your students your way. You decide what, where and how you teach.
The only time we step in is if something threatens the credibility of martial arts, the safety of students, or the integrity of our membership — for example, serious safeguarding failures or poor-quality coaching that reflects on the wider community.
Otherwise, we remain a silent partner — here to support you with a toolkit of essentials and enhancements, while respecting your club’s independence every step of the way.
It sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?
There really isn’t one. Our business model is built on scale. We’ve worked hard over since 2012 to build a substantial membership base which means lots and lots of clubs paying very small amounts into ‘one big pot’. This allows us to use scale of economy to invest in technology, resources, insurances and so on – and ultimately, that cost saving is passed back to our members. In turn, we grow. And so on.
That said, we understand your scepticism and actually welcome it. Exploring our website or contacting our team is the best way to ‘size us up’ but we also offer a year’s free affiliate membership too, should you want to have a look ‘under the hood’ before you jump.
Can I see the policy terms and wording?
Absolutely. We wouldn’t let you join without doing so. Please find the below links to our handbook, which although primarily designed to help instructors and clubs already with us understand cover and terms, we think it’s also a really helpful and transparent way for you to see the details and get a feel for how well we understand what we do;
- Instructor Insurance Explained
- Club Cover Explained
- Student Cover (Named) Explained
- Student Cover (Open Allocation) Explained
- Personal Accident Cover Explained
- Events Cover Explained
- Contents Cover Explained
- Live Blade Cover Explained
Links to the Group Cover proof of cover schedule and full policy wording is included in the above articles too, so you can do your own deep-diving.
I have another question.
The fastest way to get answers (aside from reading our website fully) is to use web chat, located at the bottom of your screen. Alternatively, you can reach us here too.
What Does Our Membership Offer?
BMABA is one of the UK’s leading multi-style, independent associations for martial arts instructors, coaches, senseis, and clubs.
We’re proudly politics-free, community-led, and entirely independent — with a mission to modernise and raise the standards of martial arts across the UK. Our focus is on empowering instructors and clubs, not enforcing outdated structures.
What sets us apart is the sheer depth and value of our membership. We don’t just provide certification or insurance — we offer a complete toolkit to help your club grow, stay compliant, and thrive. From licensing and safeguarding to digital tools, templates, and expert support, it’s all included.
That means access to:
A free custom-built club website
Printable certificates, policy templates, and legal documents
Club and student licensing, insurance options, and syllabus recognition
Networking, national campaigns, printing services, and much more
It’s all managed in one place, with one login and one simple renewal. No politics. No fluff. Just a complete, professional ecosystem designed around real instructors and clubs.
We’re confident you won’t find another UK martial arts association offering as much value, support, and independence — for so little.
Dozens Of Resources & Tools To Help Your Club Grow
From a free club website, marketing advice and business support through to template risk assessments, stock grading certificates and printing – our membership provides you with access to dozens of resources and tools to help you grow your club and retain students.
Comprehensive Certification & Licensing
From instructor certificates and recognition of grade documentation through to vocational Dan gradings, syllabus licensing, instructor licenses and more; our membership provides access to fully comprehensive licensing provisions.
Affordable Insurance & Core Provisions
Access affordable instructor, student and club insurance, as well as access to discounted first aid training, enhanced DBS checks, safeguarding qualifications and more, exclusively for BMABA clubs and instructors.
No Politics, No Egos, No ‘Who’s-Who’
We’ve been strictly politics free since 2012 and pride ourselves on running a community led organisation on the sound principles of good governance and genuine transparency.
Freedom To Run Your Club, Your Way, With Our Backing
You remain able to run your club with absolute independence, free of interference. What’s more, you’ll be backed up by our multi-award winning governing body with certification, licensing, endorsement, business support and more as standard.
Ready to see what BMABA can do for you?
Explore our membership options and discover the perfect package for your club — with all the tools, support, and flexibility you need, and nothing you don’t.
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 |
JOIN A COMMUNITY OF 100,000+
Sign Up Online
Explore pricing, membership and cover and – if you’re happy – sign up online.