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Barber Insurance
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Barber insurance from 9p a day*
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What is...
barber insurance?
Whether you're carrying out routine trims, styling with clippers or giving straight razor shaves, you're bound to run into the risk of accidents. Sharp blades and electronic equipment could cause cuts and razor burns while bleach, treatments and styling products could cause reactions, leaving your clients uncomfortable and you at risk.
Barber insurance is type of business insurance designed for the specific risks barbers face when running a barber shop. It could include cover types such as public liability, stock and contents and employers’ liability and more, depending on your unique needs. It could help protect against risks and could provide compensation if the unexpected happens, helping to keep your employees, clients and cash flow safe.
The UK hair and beauty sector employs 220,000 people, according to NHBF's 2025 report. You might be hiring trainees, apprentices as well and this could bring even more risks to consider protecting against.
Why is it important for barbers to have insurance?
If you have any employees, part time or apprentices – you need employers’ liability cover by law. If you don’t, you could face up to £2,500 a day without cover.
When you work up close with clients, accidents or injuries can happen – for example if you accidently cut a customer with clippers or a customer slips on a wet floor could lead to expensive legal costs or compensation you need to pay.
Without sufficient cover, you could end up paying out of your own pocket if someone makes a claim against your business or you don’t have a policy to claim on if you need to.
What insurance does a barber need to consider?
Policies will vary per provider, and terms and conditions apply, so always check the small print in your policy wording to see what’s included and excluded. Your barber shop insurance could include:
Employers liability insurance
If you have one or more employees, you must have this insurance by law.
Public liability insurance
In case you injure someone or damage something while providing your services. For example, slipping on a wet floor.
Stock and contents insurance
Provides cover for stock, including food & drink supplies, against theft or damage by fire or other insured events.
Business equipment insurance
Protects your essential tools and equipment from theft or damages due to an insured event.
Commercial building insurance
To protect business premises you own, whether you're using it, renting it out or if a lease requires it
Product liability insurance
Covers you if a client has a reaction to a product you’ve used and makes a claim against you.
Business interruption insurance
Provides compensation if material damage stops your business from running normally, for example fire or flood.
Tenant’s renovations
Protection for leased buildings, if you’ve invested in interiors. Your landlord is only responsible for the building.
How much does barber insurance cost?
Prices could start from around 9p a day*.
But no two insurers are the same and the following may affect your barber insurance costs:
- Extent of cover - The more cover you require, the more expensive your package is likely to be.
- Your insurer - The insurer you choose may also influence costs.
- Employees – If you employ staff or take on apprentices may impact your premium
- Business activities - The type of services your barber shop offers will play a big part in determining the scope of your cover, influencing costs.
- Location – Where your barber shop is located will be taken into account.
- Claims history - Whether or not you’ve had claims made against you or you have made previous claims may affect your future premiums.
*The price is for a barber customer – the average of the bottom 10% of customers who were sold with one of our panel providers paid £34 annually (excluding any additional administration fees) between 01/07/2025 & 30/06/2026. Equivalent to £2.81 a month or £0.09p a day (and excludes the extra costs for paying monthly).Your actual price and policy may vary depending on your business requirements.
Do you need separate insurance for apprentices?
If you have apprentices or training barbers that aren’t fully qualified you must tell your broker so the right cover can be arranged.
Keep in mind your cover is only likely to be valid if you stick to the following:
- Apprentices only carry out activities they’ve been professionally trained for
- They should be under regular supervision by someone who is fully qualified
- You tell clients the apprentices are not fully qualified
Please check with your insurer for terms and conditions that you may have to follow.
Compare barber insurance
Or speak to one of our team on 0800 032 7925
Why compare barber insurance with Bionic
At Bionic, we support UK business owners and want to help in every way we can. That's why we have knowledgeable insurance brokers who work with a panel of trusted insurers to find you insurance for your barber shop – that fits. We cut through the jargon, and our UK-based team are on-hand to talk you through your options. Get in touch with us today by starting a quote online. You can often get cover the same day you apply.
How Bionic business Insurance comparison works
Compare business insurance quotes in three simple steps
1
Start your quote online
Speed up the process by submitting basic business details online – whenever you have time.
2
Speak to our UK-based team
Schedule a call with one of our insurance brokers to discuss the details to ensure they’re correct.
3
Compare tailored quotes
Get your quotes from our panel of trusted insurers and talk any questions through with our team.
What do I need to get started?
You only need a few details to get started with getting a free business insurance quote online, so it’s best to have the following information ready to go:
Your business name and trade
Your policy start date
Your name and contact details to receive your quote options
You may be asked additional questions about business activities
Barbers Insurance FAQs
What if I use my own homemade products?
If you use home-made products that aren’t tried and tested like regulated brands then you present a greater risk to insurers. As a result, you’re likely to see fewer insurance options. You should always tell your broker if you use homemade products. Read the UK Cosmetics Regulations for more information.
Does barber insurance cover mobile barbers?
Although some barber insurance is designed for businesses with a permanent premises - if you are self-employed or have a mobile barber business where you visit clients at home, you should still consider the right cover.
Around 60% of barbers are self-employed, and still face risks. If you're a sole trader or rent a chair, you should consider mobile barber insurance, which is a type of insurance designed for freelance and self employed barbers.
Get in touch with our insurance team today by starting a quote online.
What happens if a client claims their haircut caused them emotional distress?
It’s unlikely that a client claim based on not liking their haircut will succeed. But if the distress is linked to a physical injury that you have caused — for example, a scalp burn from bleach or an infection from a cut — there could be grounds for a claim. The right barber insurance should cover you for injury from the services you provide, in this example.
Policies vary per insurer and limits and exclusions apply. Always check your own policy wording to see what is and isn’t included.
Is barber shop business insurance a legal requirement?
Employers' liability insurance is a type of business insurance cover that is a legal requirement in the UK if you employ anyone — including part-time staff and apprentices.
Not all cover types included in barber shop business insurance are a legal requirement, but other covers should be considered. Public liability insurance for barbers, although not legally required, can help protect against risks like client slips, trips and accidents.
Does barber insurance cover me if I work at a barber show or competition?
It can do if included on your policy. If you’re planning on working at or hosting any events you must inform your broker to ensure you’re correctly covered.
Although not a legal requirement, if you attend any events, it’s a good idea to consider public liability insurance for barbers. This can cover your back financially in case any visitors injure themselves as a result of your services during the event. For example. if you are demonstrating barbering techniques on attendees at a show.
Can I get barber business insurance if I've had a claim before?
Yes — having a previous claim doesn't necessarily stop you from getting barber business insurance, but it may affect the price of your premium. Always tell your broker about any previous claims when you get a quote to make sure valid cover is arranged for you.
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