Teeth whitening insurance for beauty professionals is designed to cover third-party claims related to cosmetic teeth whitening, such as a client’s adverse reaction to a service.
Revealing a radiant smile is a rewarding experience. And if you’re a beauty professional, it just makes sense to offer this service! Clients want their hair, skin, nails, and teeth to look their best. However, there’s always a risk of injury, which is why you need teeth whitening insurance to safeguard your business as you brighten smiles.
This complete guide explains what teeth whitening insurance covers, who needs it, how it relates to standard salon insurance, and how to stay protected whether you’re an esthetician, cosmetologist, or salon owner.
What Is Teeth Whitening Insurance?
Teeth whitening insurance is liability insurance for beauty professionals who offer cosmetic teeth whitening services. It’s a financial safety net that helps cover the costs of client injuries, property damage, or other accidental harm caused by your business.
This coverage is built for non-invasive, cosmetic teeth whitening, such as LED teeth whitening. It’s not intended for dentists, who require specialized dentistry malpractice insurance, nor is it for laser teeth whitening, which must be performed by dental professionals — not estheticians or cosmetologists.
Essentially, this insurance protects you, the beauty professional, if you offer teeth whitening in a salon, spa, booth, or through mobile services.
What Does Teeth Whitening Insurance Cover?
Teeth whitening insurance covers claims involving your business, including:
- Accidents in your space, like slip-and-fall injuries
- Adverse reactions, such as gum irritation or tooth sensitivity
- Harm related to products used, like whitening gels or strips
- Damage to your clients’ property
If something goes wrong, this coverage can pay for:
- Your legal defense (even if the claim is unfounded)
- Settlement fees or damages awarded by a court
- Minor medical expenses (if the claim doesn’t escalate into a lawsuit)
Here are some example scenarios and the type of coverage that helps:
Swipe →
| Covered Scenario | Example | Coverage You Need |
|---|---|---|
|
Client injury |
A chemical burn to the lips after a whitening service caused by your application error |
|
|
Property damage |
Whitening gel damages a client’s designer clothing |
|
|
Minor accident at your business |
Client slips and falls in the salon reception area and scrapes their knee |
Medical expense limit (part of general liability insurance) |
These are just some of the common claims beauty professionals face regarding teeth whitening services. However, there are other types of risks and accompanying coverages that further protect your business, depending on your unique needs.
What Is Not Covered by Teeth Whitening Insurance?
Teeth whitening insurance typically doesn’t cover:
- Laser teeth whitening
- Medical or dental procedures
- Working outside your licensed scope
- Using unapproved or illegal products
- Intentional harm or misrepresentation
- Employee injuries (requires workers comp insurance)
- Theft or damage to your teeth whitening tools, equipment, and products (requires tools and supplies coverage)
Why Do Estheticians Need Insurance to Do Teeth Whitening?
Estheticians, cosmetologists, and other beauty professionals who perform teeth whitening services need insurance to financially protect their businesses and meet coverage requirements.
Brightening smiles involves a greater risk — teeth, gums, and lips can all be negatively impacted during a service. If you make a mistake, or if a client simply perceives that you did, you can be held legally responsible to pay for the harm caused.
Many salons, spas, landlords, and event venues require proof of liability insurance before bringing you on for work. When you purchase coverage with Beauty & Bodywork Insurance (BBI), you receive an instant certificate of insurance (COI) to show you’re properly covered.
TL;DR: You need insurance in order to work and to keep working (because a single claim can put you out of business). Teeth whitening insurance gives you peace of mind to reveal pearly whites for a long time to come!
Is Teeth Whitening Covered by Salon Insurance?
Many standard salon insurance policies don’t cover teeth whitening and consider it a specialty service.
However, BBI’s salon owner insurance and individual beauty professional insurance policies automatically include coverage for teeth whitening. So, you don’t need an extra policy or endorsement (coverage update) to stay protected while you work on client smiles.
Our coverage protects 250+ beauty and bodywork services, from teeth whitening to facials and makeup application. That means your full beauty services menu can be covered under a single policy!
Pro Tip:
Always double-check that teeth whitening is explicitly listed on your policy or confirm with a support representative to avoid surprises later.
Independent Contractors vs Employees: Who Needs Their Own Coverage?
If you’re an independent contractor (not a W-2 employee at a salon), you need your own teeth whitening insurance policy because you are not covered under the salon’s policy. In fact, many businesses, landlords, and event organizers require you to carry your own coverage.
Personal liability coverage protects you across:
- Multiple locations
- Mobile services
- Private clients
Solo beauty professionals are responsible for managing their own risks. As soon as you start offering teeth whitening or other beauty services, you need liability coverage to protect your business. Accidents can happen at any time, even if you’re still building your client base!
Remember:
Insurance does not grant you permission to offer teeth whitening services. Always check your state’s rules, which are often regulated by state dental boards, to ensure you can legally offer this service to clients. Search: [Your state] Board of Dentistry + cosmetic teeth whitening rules.
What to Look For in Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Insurance
Shopping for cosmetic teeth whitening insurance can be as simple as color-matching with a shade guide. Here’s what to look for:
✔️ General liability insurance: Covers general accidents at your space
✔️ Professional liability insurance: Specifically protects your teeth whitening services
✔️ High coverage limits: You need $2 million per claim and $3 million aggregate, at least
✔️ Tools and supplies coverage add-on: Covers your movable business property
✔️ Certificate of insurance (COI) access: To show that you have active coverage
✔️ Additional insureds: Extends your coverage to salon or spa owners, or other qualified third parties
✔️ Coverage portability: Does your policy follow you across multiple locations?
✔️ Coverage of additional services: Does your policy cover all the beauty services you offer?
BBI for Sparkling Coverage
BBI offers top-rated teeth whitening insurance you can purchase online in minutes. Our base policy combines general and professional liability insurance, with options for add-ons, so you can customize your perfect plan.
Keep your future looking bright by securing coverage today!
FAQs About What Teeth Whitening Insurance Covers
Can a Cosmetologist Do Teeth Whitening?
It depends on the state! Some states allow non-dentists to offer cosmetic teeth whitening with restrictions, while others prohibit it without dental supervision. Always check your state dental board rules before offering the service.
Is Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Covered By My Salon Insurance, Or Do I Need A Separate Policy?
BBI’s salon owner and individual professional insurance policies automatically cover cosmetic teeth whitening! Some insurance policies exclude this service, but BBI’s base policies include coverage for 250+ services, including LED teeth whitening.
Does Teeth Whitening Insurance Cover Client Tooth Sensitivity or Gum Irritation?
Teeth whitening insurance can cover client claims of third-party injury, including allergic reactions to products. It’s crucial to have clear consent forms and aftercare instructions to reduce complaints; however, liability coverage is designed to protect your business when “oh no” moments turn into claims.
What’s the Difference Between Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Insurance and Dental Insurance?
Cosmetic teeth whitening insurance protects beauty professionals against claims related to cosmetic whitening services. Dental insurance covers licensed dental providers and clinical dental procedures, not cosmetic services performed by non-dentists.
How Do I Add Cosmetic Teeth Whitening to My Existing Beauty Insurance Policy?
JoAnne Hammer | Program Manager
JoAnne Hammer is the Program Manager for Beauty and Bodywork Insurance. She has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since July 2004.
JoAnne understands that starting and operating a business takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and financial resources. She believes that insurance is the single best way to protect your investment, business, and personal assets.
JoAnne Hammer is the Program Manager for Beauty and Bodywork Insurance. She has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since July 2004.
JoAnne understands that starting and operating a business takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and financial resources. She believes that insurance is the single best way to protect your investment, business, and personal assets.
