Insured

What is an “Insured?”

An insured is the person or business an insurance policy protects. It’s who a policy is designed to cover when something goes wrong.

Why It Matters for Beauty and Bodywork Professionals

Coverage, contracts, and other legal documents depend on correct names. If the “insured” name on your Certificate of Insurance (COI) doesn’t match your lease or other paperwork, you could be denied coverage.
Claims are easier when it’s clear who’s covered — you, your LLC/Doing Business As (DBA), your employees.
You’ll know when you need to add an additional insured, like a landlord, instead of trying to include them in your insured name.

Who Is Insured Under a Policy?

Your legal entity: Your LLC, corporation, or your personal name if you’re a sole proprietor. If you have a Doing Business As (DBA) name, make sure it’s included on your application and in your policy documents.
Owners/members/partners: Specifics depend on the policy language, but these entities are typically insured for acts they perform within your business operations.
Employees: Usually insured for acts within their job duties.
Locations: Covered locations are listed on your policy. If you add a new studio or suite, you may need an endorsement to be covered at that new location.

Employees and independent contractors are not the same. Employees are typically covered under your policy, but independent contractors or booth renters generally are not covered unless specifically added to your policy.

Name formatting tip: Use your exact legal name (e.g., “Glow Studio LLC dba Glow Skincare”). Match spacing, punctuation, and capitalization on contracts, COIs, and your declarations page.

Named Insured vs. First Named Insured vs. Additional Insured vs. Certificate Holder: What’s the Difference?

All “insureds” receive some degree of protection under your insurance policy, while a certificate holder only receives proof that you have insurance.

Swipe →

Term	Who it covers	What it means	Where it appears	Example
Insured	Whoever the policy protects under its definitions	Umbrella term for parties covered by the policy	Policy forms	Your business, as defined in the policy
Named Insured	The specifically listed entity	The primary party the policy insures	Declarations page	“Glow Studio LLC dba Glow Skincare”
First Named Insured	A designated named insured with extra rights/duties	Receives notices, can request policy changes, and is responsible for paying premiums	Declarations page and policy forms	Business owner who can add additional insureds to the policy
Additional Insured	A third party you add to your policy	Gives the other party some protection under your policy	Endorsement + COI	Landlord or venue added for your lease or an event
Certificate Holder	A party that receives your COI	Not insured by your policy; just gets a copy of your proof of insurance	COI	Event organizer listed to receive your certificate

Related Terms

Named Insured
Additional Insured
Certificate Holder
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Declarations Page
Endorsement
Policy Period