If you’re looking to protect your salon, you need both liability waivers and salon liability insurance. Together, they defend your business from frivolous claims from the get-go and from claims that escalate into something bigger.
Think of a waiver as the heat protectant applied before styling — it reduces the chance of damage. Insurance is the repair mask that steps in if damage still happens. Find out how they work + how to get started with both today.
Liability Waiver: A form your client signs where they accept the risks of your salon services and agree not to hold you responsible if something goes wrong
Salon Insurance: Financial coverage for your salon in case of client accidents, property damage, and other liability claims
How Liability Waivers Work
Before a client sits in your chair, ask them to read and sign your salon liability waiver. This legal document says they understand the potential risks of receiving your salon’s services and want to go ahead with the services, regardless.
They also agree not to sue you if something bad happens, as outlined in the waiver.
For example, your waiver could include “allergic reactions to products” as a possible outcome. If a client signs your waiver and has a bad reaction to the hair dye, they’ve already agreed not to hold you responsible for that kind of incident. This helps save your salon from a lawsuit.
This is how a liability waiver works in theory! But you should know:
- Courts don’t always uphold waivers
- Waivers do not protect your salon from gross negligence or malpractice
- They do not cover financial losses — they only help to reduce your liability
It’s crucial to have a legal professional familiar with your local laws review your liability waiver before you start using it at your salon. They help ensure your waiver is strongly written and covers likely risks at your business.
Read our Salon Liability Waiver Guide.
Busting a Myth
“A signed waiver means I can’t be sued.”
A client can still sue your salon even if they’ve signed a waiver. A waiver helps deter clients from taking legal action, but it won’t magically make you unsueable! …Which is why you need salon insurance. We explain this next.
How Salon Insurance Protects You
Salon liability insurance financially protects your business against third-party claims, such as client slip-and-falls, property damage, and even unmet expectations. If an accident happens at your salon, insurance is designed to kick in to cover the costs so you don’t have to pay for it on your own.
Different types of salon insurance cover different types of risk. The most common coverages salon owners opt for are:
- General liability insurance: Coverage for general mishaps (client injuries or property damage) at your salon
- Professional liability insurance: Coverage specifically for the professional services your salon offers
- Tools and supplies coverage (inland marine): Protection for your movable business items in case of theft or damage
Essentially, salon coverage pays to make things right with your clients. It covers:
- Legal fees: Your attorney’s fees
- Settlements: Money you agree to “settle” a claim
- Damages awarded: Money a court orders you to pay for the incident
But it has its limitations. Insurance won’t prevent claims from happening, and it typically excludes intentional harm or services outside of your salon’s professional scope.
Try our Salon Insurance Coverage Selector.
Busting a Myth
“Insurance covers everything.”
Policies have limits, exclusions, and conditions — know yours to avoid surprises when it’s time to file a claim.
Liability Waivers vs. Salon Insurance at a Glance
| Liability Waiver | Salon Insurance | What This Means For You | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Primary purpose
|
Informed consent + risk acknowledgment; helps deter claims
|
Pays for covered losses
|
Use waivers to reduce claim likelihood; insurance to cover claims |
|
Legal weight
|
Contract — enforceability varies by state/country and wording
|
Insurance contract — triggered by covered claims
|
Don’t rely on waivers to “block” lawsuits; draft well + keep insurance
|
|
Typical scope
|
Specific service risks (e.g., chemical dye, wax, heat tools)
|
General liability, professional liability, tools and equipment
|
Map services to risks in the waiver; map risks to policy coverages
|
|
What it reduces
|
Frivolous claims or misunderstandings
|
Out-of-pocket legal and payout costs
|
Waiver reduces frequency; insurance reduces impact on your salon
|
|
Limits & exclusions
|
Can’t waive gross negligence; language must be inclusive of all potential risks
|
Exclusions (e.g., certain chemicals, unlicensed staff), deductibles, limits
|
Review exclusions; align services to policy
|
|
Client experience
|
Sets clear expectations and builds trust
|
Invisible until a claim; peace of mind for the business
|
Use the waiver conversation to educate; boost credibility with proof of insurance
|
Insights From an Expert
“A release of liability form is common, though it won’t cover against negligence or misconduct, and that’s often misunderstood. Too many professionals assume a signed waiver gives them blanket protection, which it doesn’t.
Good documentation helps protect you and the client. When it’s done consistently, with signatures, dates, and space for questions, it becomes one of the strongest tools to prevent and defend against legal or ethical claims.” — William K. Holland, Trial Attorney and Managing Partner at Holland Injury Law, LLC
Why One Without the Other Leaves You Exposed
It’s tempting to believe that either a waiver or insurance is enough. But relying on just one is like skipping gloves or forgetting a layer of vaseline — cutting corners can lead to ugly disasters. Here are some example scenarios demonstrating why you need protections.
Scenario A: You rely solely on a liability waiver. A client receives a keratin treatment, claims her hair was damaged, and sues your salon. If the court doesn’t uphold your waiver (say you didn’t specifically list keratin service on it), without insurance, you end up paying compensation to your client all on your own.
➡️One lawsuit, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, can put your salon out of business.
Scenario B: You have insurance, but put off using a waiver. A client suffers a mild burn from wax and files a claim. Without a signed waiver, there’s no documented proof that the client was made aware of the risks. The claim is harder to defend, which makes it more likely the insurer will pay out.
➡️Frequent claims like these can make it harder for you to renew your coverage.
How They Work Together
Liability waivers and insurance work together as two-fold protection.
- Liability waiver: First layer of defense for reducing claims in the first place
- Liability insurance: Second line of defense for covering claims if they do happen
Here’s a practical example of how they can safeguard your salon.
- New client signs a waiver acknowledging hair dye risks.
- Despite the waiver, the client suffers an allergic reaction and files a claim.
- The waiver helps defend your business in court, but insurance covers the legal costs and any potential damages awarded.
Practical Tips for Salon Owners
Getting set up on the “legal” side of business protection can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are some tips for setting up your waiver and insurance coverage.
- Draft a clear, easy-to-read waiver
- Review state laws on enforcing waivers
- Have a lawyer review your waiver before using it
- Buy salon liability insurance and understand your coverage
- Regularly update both if services or risks change
- Display your proof of insurance to boost client trust
- Train staff to explain waivers confidently
BBI for Total Salon Protection
Waivers and salon insurance complement each other, defending your business with two layers of protection. If you’re looking for the best salon insurance to cover your business, Beauty & Bodywork Insurance (BBI) is your top pick. We offer blanket liability coverage for each of your salon’s stations, automatically covering any stylist working them.
Our top-rated salon owner’s policy includes general and professional liability insurance starting from $31.08/month, with options to cover tools and supplies, cyber liability, sexual abuse and molestation, and more.
Join over 69,000 beauty and wellness professionals who trust BBI to protect their businesses and work with peace of mind every day.
FAQs About Liability Waivers vs. Salon Insurance
Do Salon Waivers Replace Insurance?
No, salon waivers do not replace the financial protection insurance provides! Waivers help to deter clients from suing you by informing them of the potential risks and releasing you from liability; insurance helps cover claims if they escalate further.
Do Waivers Hold Up in Court?
Waivers can hold up in court depending on factors like your local laws, how enforceable and clearly written they are, and if clients are given enough time to understand your waiver’s contents. No matter what, speak with a legal professional for guidance specific to your salon’s liability exposures.
Why Do I Need Both Waivers and Insurance?
You need both a liability waiver and comprehensive salon insurance to help reduce the chances of you facing a lawsuit and to financially protect your business if a client does file a claim.
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.
