As a Pennsylvania massage therapist, I don’t have a legal requirement to carry massage insurance. However, I still maintain coverage because it’s a vital safeguard for my career.
In Louisiana, though, massage therapists are required by law to have insurance. Additionally, Louisiana therapists must complete 12 continuing education (CE) hours annually and ensure their CE providers are recognized by the Louisiana Massage Therapy Board.
In this article, we’ll cover both aspects—finding the inexpensive massage insurance without CE classes and massage insurance with CE classes that are approved by the Louisiana State Massage Board.
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Massage Insurance Without CEs: Most Affordable Options
Even though my state doesn’t mandate insurance, I wouldn’t practice without it because of protection from liability, business credibility, and coverage for multiple modalities. As you know, for Louisiana massage therapists, insurance isn’t optional—it’s required. Let’s explore two budget-friendly insurance options if you don’t need CEs included. Here are two lowest-cost options:
| Feature | Insure Bodywork | InsureLMT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $96/year | $94/year |
| General & Professional Liability | Yes | Yes |
| Product Coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Identity Theft Protection | Add On | Yes |
| Rental Damage Insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Online Coverage Purchase | Yes | Yes |
| Additional Insureds | Yes | Add On |
| Monthly Payment Option | Yes | No |
Both provide essential coverage. If monthly rather than yearly payments are important to you or if you have to add additional insureds to your policy, Insure Bodywork makes the most sense. If you feel strongly about having and not paying more for Identity Theft Protection, then go with InsureLMT. Choose what fits your needs best!
Massage Insurance with CEs: Do Their CEs Count?
If you prefer insurance that includes continuing education credits, it’s important to select an insurance provider whose CE courses are recognized by the Louisiana Massage Therapy Board. Not all insurance providers offer CEs that meet Louisiana’s standards. Here’s how I found that out.
A Louisiana massage therapist contacted me asking if my CEs were approved by Louisiana state board. I thought they were because I was a NCBTMB provider. But when I went to check with the Louisiana State Board, I found that NCBTMB provider status did not mean my CEs were approved by the Louisiana Massage Board. If I wanted them approved, I would have to submit them and go through their approval process.
So, before committing to a CE provider, double-check that their courses are recognized by the Louisiana Massage Therapy Board. The best way to do this is to visit the board’s official website and use their search tool for approved CE providers.
That said, I did the work for you with three massage insurance providers who bundle CEs with massage insurance: AMTA, ABMP, and Massage Magazine Insurance Plus.
First, AMTA’s CE courses are not found when using the Board’s approved CE search tool. However, Massage Magazine Insurance Plus and ABMP CEs are approved by the Louisiana Massage State Board. Here’s a price and insurance comparison:
| Feature | ABMP | Massage Magazine Insurance Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199/year | $169/year |
| General & Professional Liability | Yes | Yes |
| CE Courses Included | Yes (Accepted by LA Board) | Yes (Accepted by LA Board) |
| Legal Defense Coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Online Business Resources | Yes | Yes |
| Website & Marketing Tools | Yes | Yes |
| Discounts on Massage Products | Yes | Yes |
| Additional Perks | Online education, networking | Industry discounts, wellness programs |
If price is your main concern, Massage Magazine Insurance Plus offers a lower-cost alternative while still meeting Louisiana-approved CE requirements. ABMP provides additional business support, making it a better option for therapists looking for more professional support.
How to Switch Insurance Without Disrupting Coverage
All the insurance providers mentioned in this article offer occurrence-based policies, which cover incidents that happen during the policy period, regardless of when a claim is filed. This means you can switch from one occurrence-based policy to another without worrying about coverage gaps, as each policy independently covers incidents during its term.
Regarding policy start dates, some providers allow you to select a future start date when purchasing a new policy. For example, Massage Magazine Insurance Plus permits you to buy a policy now and choose a start date within the next three months. This flexibility enables you to secure favorable rates and ensure continuous coverage without overlaps or gaps.
It’s advisable to confirm this option with each provider to align your new policy’s start date with the expiration of your current coverage.
Final Thoughts: Choose What’s Best for You
Louisiana massage therapists must have insurance, and they also have specific CE requirements to meet every year. The best option for you depends on your needs:
- If you just need insurance, look at Insure Bodywork or InsureLMT.
- If you want insurance with CEs, ABMP advertises strong professional support, while Massage Magazine Insurance Plus is a lower-cost option.
- If CEs are your focus, always confirm that your courses are approved by the Louisiana Massage Therapy Board before enrolling.
I’m here if you have questions (mark@makethemostofmassage.com). Ultimately, it’s your hard-earned money—spend it where it makes the most sense for you and your massage career!
