However, if the owner does not yet have a licence then clearly the CRI would not be covered, as he would not be qualified to instruct ab-initio.
Just as a last foray into pedantry..... A CRI is qualified to teach for ab-initio, however the hours do not count towards licence issue.......
I can save you the call to the insurers as the answer is yes a CRI is deemed to be a QUALIFIED Instructor. It is the basis of the LAA Coaching Scheme amongst many things.