Last updated on May 30, 2024.
Do nail technicians need insurance?
The short answer: Yes! But let’s have a quick story time first.
In June 2023, a Portland woman went to a nail salon for an acrylic manicure. A few days later, one of her fingers became enflamed with painful blisters. The cause? Infection from the genital herpes virus.
The woman filed a $1.75 million lawsuit against the salon and two individuals. She claimed that she contracted the virus from the manicure service. Getting her nails done was once a fun experience she looked forward to. Now her bandaged hand is a constant reminder of her incurable condition.
You may be the most diligent manicurist—always wearing gloves and most certainly not storing unsanitized tools in an empty Altoids tin (yikes!)—but the fact is that numerous factors are out of your control.
And if things get ugly, nail technician insurance will keep you from having to fork up a lifetime of savings to pay for damages.
So, if you’re a nail technician, you need insurance. It’s like a glossy topcoat for your business, protecting you from the smudges and chips that happen in your line of work.
Understanding the Risks
You take great pride in your craft. You might be of the “Oh, that could never happen to me” camp.
But as a manicurist or pedicurist, you face risks every time you step into the salon. No matter how careful you are, unexpected “oh no” moments can threaten to undo all of the hard work you’ve put into your career.
When considering your answer to “Do nail techs need insurance?”, here are a few scenarios to put it into perspective:
- One of your favorite clients gets so excited about the nail art you created on their toes that they don’t notice a puddle of water next to the pedicure chair. As they step onto the floor, they slip and fall, banging their head against the water basin. Now, with a scalp laceration, they decide to sue you over their injury.
- After performing a routine gel manicure, you apply a calming lavender-scented lotion to your client’s hands and give them a quick massage before sending them on their way. A few days later, your client calls to say they’re experiencing a severe allergic reaction on their skin due to the fragrance, and they plan on taking legal action.
- Another nail tech bumps into your workstation causing an open bottle of acetone nail polish remover to drop onto your client’s one-of-a-kind leather bag. It immediately ruins the finish, and your furious client promises that you’ll be hearing from her lawyer.
Especially since you work closely with clients’ hands and feet using sharp tools, it’s essential to protect yourself with general liability insurance for any accidents that may occur.
Types of Nail Tech Insurance Coverage
So, what kind of insurance should you get? For comprehensive protection, be sure to look for general and professional liability insurance, as well as coverage for products and completed operations, personal and advertising injury, and fire legal liability.
Phew. Those are not words you often hear at the salon. Here’s a quick breakdown of what each coverage can do for you:
- General liability insurance: Coverage for when a client gets hurt or has their things damaged as a result of your business operations—think slip-and-fall injuries!
- Professional liability insurance: Coverage for any services or recommendations you make as a nail technician (like if you mishandle a tool and injure a client).
- Products and completed operations: Coverage for the products you use and the services you provide in case they cause client injury or property damage after your client leaves your business; say a gel polish (product) from a manicure (completed operation) causes intense swelling in your client’s fingers.
- Personal and advertising injury: Coverage for claims like libel, slander, advertising mistakes, or IP (intellectual property) theft. (Consider these as non-physical damages unto clients or competitors.)
- Fire legal liability insurance: Also known as “damage to premises rented to you,” coverage in case your business operations cause a fire in your rented space.
At Beauty & Bodywork Insurance (BBI), we love a good bundle. That’s why we combine all of the above coverages into one no-nonsense policy that starts at $9.99 a month. Yep, for about the price of a bottle of Essie nail polish, you can enjoy some serious peace of mind.
If you’re looking for extra coverage to fortify your business, here are some others to consider:
- Tools and supplies coverage: Protection for professional gear, such as your nail drill or business tablet, in case it gets stolen or damaged.
- Additional insureds: Shared coverage for your landlord, event organizer, or a business that hires you as an independent contractor.
- Cyber liability coverage: Also known as data breach insurance, protection in the event your online data is hacked or if your clients’ sensitive information is compromised.
- Salon and spa owner insurance: A blanket policy that insures up to 10 salon stations, as well as the technicians that work at them.
Benefits of Insurance for Nail Technicians
Carrying insurance comes with serious benefits. These are some of the main pros you’ll enjoy after purchasing a policy.
Peace of Mind
Enhanced Credibility
Salon Requirements
Examples of Covered Claims
Finally, let’s get to the nitty-gritty: numbers. If you’re looking for some real-world examples of covered claims, we’ve got you. Here’s how much money BBI could save you:
An infection caused by an ingrown nail procedure: $12,038
A client tripping and falling while leaving the salon: $3,434
A client’s property damaged from LED curing light: $1,880
A cut from a cuticle trimmer during a pedicure: $622
Nail supplies stolen from tech’s car: $567
Ready to Get Covered?
To summarize, nail technicians absolutely need insurance to protect themselves financially from everyday risks like third-party injuries, property damage, and even unsatisfied clients. On top of that, carrying insurance gives you peace of mind and opens employment opportunities for you.
If you’re ready to get covered, BBI offers comprehensive, affordable nail technician insurance that goes where you go! Grab a policy in minutes today and enjoy the benefits of our top-rated coverage.
