Whether you’re still in beauty school or a seasoned pro, understanding how cosmetology insurance can protect you, your clients, and your livelihood is crucial. Every day, you take precautions when you offer your professional services to clients—why not take that same smart approach to safeguarding your business?
You’ve already made a smart decision to follow your passion and become a cosmetologist—your industry employment level is projected to grow 8% over the next eight years! Empower yourself with the right insurance, so you can stay nimble for wherever your career takes you.
This starter’s guide to cosmetology insurance explains coverages, common claims, costs, and how to choose the right policy for you. Let’s dive in.
What Is Cosmetology Insurance?
Cosmetology insurance is a type of liability insurance designed specifically for beauty professionals like hairstylists, makeup artists, and nail technicians. If your work involves beautifying the hair, skin, or nails of clients, cosmetology insurance helps to keep your business safe when things go wrong.
Why Do I Need Cosmetology Insurance?
No matter how careful you are, you’re always at risk in your line of work. Scalp burns from hair dye, skin nicks during cuticle removal, clients tripping over hot tool cords—things can get ugly.
Cosmetology insurance is a safety net that protects your business from costly claims arising from client bodily injury, property damage, dissatisfaction with your professional advice, and more. If you care about safeguarding the hard work you’ve put into your beauty career, then cosmetology insurance is an absolute must.
Not only will cosmetology insurance help protect you financially, but it also signals to your clients you’re committed to doing things right.
Many states even require you to carry insurance to work as a cosmetologist. And it is common for spas and salons to ask you to show proof of your liability insurance before you can rent space.
What Does Cosmetology Insurance Cover?
Cosmetology insurance typically includes coverage for both general liability and professional liability (sometimes called “errors and omissions”). Some additional coverages to look for are products and completed operations and damage to premises rented.
Let’s break each of these down further.
General Liability Coverage
General liability coverage helps protect you against third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, or advertising injury. Think about how slippery a floor can be once water and shampoo suds have accidentally dripped onto it. Or, how easy it is to mistakenly post the wrong information about a promotion you’re running on your Instagram account.
That slippery floor could lead to a client falling and breaking a wrist, and that inaccurate Instagram post could lead to an angry customer suing you for misleading them. General liability insurance can help cover the costs of medical expenses and legal fees in these situations.
Professional Liability Coverage
Professional liability coverage shields the services or advice you offer as a professional. Whenever you make a recommendation or perform a professional service as a cosmetologist, you open yourself up to the risk of a client claiming you’ve made a mistake. Yes, even if you’re not at fault! A client could simply be unhappy with their results.
Professional liability coverage can help cover legal expenses, settlement fees, and more if your performance as a professional ever comes into question.
Products and Completed Operations Coverage
Products and completed operations coverage protects against third-party claims of injury or financial loss arising from products used during your services or from work you’ve completed. Think of this as a two-part coverage for the products you use in your business and the services you provide that keeps protecting you after a sale is made.
If a client’s skin breaks out in hives due to a setting spray (product) the day after their bridal makeup session (completed operation), this coverage could help pay for damages and other costly fees.
Damage to Premises Rented to You
Damage to premises rented, or fire legal liability insurance, can help cover you if the space you rent is damaged by fire. From overheating curling irons to flammable nail polish remover, the risk of accidental fire is present throughout all cosmetology professions. This coverage gives you peace of mind that you won’t have to shoulder repair costs all on your own.
Cosmetology Insurance From Beauty and Bodywork Insurance
At Beauty and Bodywork Insurance (BBI), we know that finding the right comprehensive insurance for your cosmetology business can feel daunting. That’s why we bundle the above coverages into one policy with optional add-ons. It’s cosmetology insurance, simplified.
Focus on helping your clients look and feel their best. BBI has got you covered.
How Much Does Cosmetology Insurance Cost?
The cost of cosmetology insurance ranges depending on the insurer and the specific coverage options. At BBI, we believe every cosmetologist deserves superior coverage at an affordable price. Our cosmetology insurance policy starts at just $96 a year, or you can opt for monthly payments from $9.99 a month.
You can also add optional coverage depending on your business need and sign up for EZ-Renew so you never have a gap in coverage.
Carrying cosmetology insurance costs much less than an unexpected lawsuit or medical bill. With BBI’s A+ rated coverage and competitive pricing, you can feel confident you’re protected.
What Are Some Common Cosmetology Insurance Claims?
Regardless of the care you put into providing the best possible service for your clients, you are always at risk of things going wrong.
For example, your client could suffer an allergic reaction on their hands from a lotion you apply during a manicure. Or you might accidentally scratch a client’s eye with lash tweezers while filling their extensions. In either scenario, a client may decide to sue you for damages.
Unforeseen incidents like this can put a huge financial hit on your business, so it’s crucial to stay prepared by carrying cosmetology insurance.
Some common claims cosmetology insurance could help cover are:
- Cuts
- Burns
- Allergic reactions
- Chemical damage
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Online data breaches
- Theft of professional property
- Property damage to your rented space
- Incidents arising from the use of unsanitary tools
There are smart ways to reduce risk depending on your specific profession, but the best investment you can make is purchasing cosmetology insurance. Whether you’re an in-house stylist, an independent contractor, or a freelancer offering mobile services, you can stay covered from covered claims like these.
How Do I Choose the Right Cosmetology Insurance for Me?
As you shop for cosmetology insurance, some important factors to keep in mind are pricing, coverage details, policy limits, carrier rating, and customer reviews.
Over 60,000 beauty and bodywork professionals have chosen BBI to help protect their businesses. Here’s why:
- Affordable pricing: With our base policy starting at $96/year or $9.99/month, you pay a fraction of the cost of our competitors’ prices.
- Comprehensive coverage: Our cosmetology insurance combines general and liability coverage with optional add-ons to suit your business needs.
- Policy limits: A $3 million general and professional liability limit and a $2 million occurrence limit that you never have to share with other policyholders.
- A+ rating: Our insurance carrier is rated “superior,” which means you can feel confident in their ability to meet financial obligations and keep your business safe.
- Easy online application: You can purchase your policy right on your mobile in mere minutes!
- Excellent customer service: Our customer support team is made up of licensed, non-commissioned insurance agents ready to answer your questions with your best interests at heart.
- Happy customers: Our customer testimonials say it all. Read why they love us in their own words.
You didn’t become a cosmetologist to stress over insurance details. Let us help you get covered, so you can get back to focusing on your next client’s glow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmetology Insurance
Will Cosmetology Insurance Cover Me?
BBI’s cosmetology insurance covers a wide variety of beauty professionals, including:
- Barbers
- Hairstylists
- Lash techs
- Makeup artists
- Nail technicians
- Spray tan specialists
- Teeth-whitening technicians
For a full list of covered modalities, visit our Who Qualifies page.
What Are Some Other Coverages I Should Consider?
BBI’s cosmetology insurance policy includes general liability and professional liability coverage. Some other coverages to consider are:
- Tools and Supplies: coverage for your transportable equipment in case they are stolen or damaged
- Cyber Liability: coverage against claims arising from online data breaches, malware, or online scams
- Additional Insureds: coverage extended to third parties who may be directly affected by your business, such as landlords, business owners, or events/venues
BBI makes it easy to customize your policy and add these optional coverages from your online dashboard at any time.
Do I Need to Add an Additional Insured?
Some landlords or business owners may require you to list them as an additional insured before you can rent or work with them. In this case, you need to add them as an additional insured on your policy.
With BBI, you’re able to add one additional insured for $15/year or unlimited additional insureds for $30/year in your easy-to-use dashboard, 24/7.
Ready to Get Covered?
You’re in the business of beautification. Cosmetology insurance protects you when things get ugly. Get affordable, comprehensive coverage from BBI online in minutes.
