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Insurance for Beauty Therapists
Compare beauty therapist insurance
Business insurance for self-employed beauty therapists and small businesses
Protect yourself, clients and the public from unexpected incidents
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Bionic specialises in business insurance for small businesses and sole traders
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What is...
beauty therapist insurance?
As a beauty therapist, you work hard to make your clients look and feel amazing both inside and out. But what happens when something goes wrong? Whether you’re a freelance beautician, running your own salon, or offering mobile services, having the right insurance protects you, your business and your clients should the unexpected happen.
Insurance for beauty therapists offers financial protection should something go wrong when you’re carrying out your work — even if you follow everything by the book, a claim made against you could bankrupt your small business.
Is beauty therapist insurance a legal requirement?
This depends. Legally, in the UK, you only need employers’ liability insurance if you employ anyone.
If you drive a vehicle for business purposes, then you are legally required to take out business vehicle motor insurance. Currently, we don’t offer this at Bionic, but it’s likely we can insure your business activities.
Some clients or salons may ask for proof of insurance before you begin working there, especially if you’re a freelance or a mobile therapist. Having proper insurance not only protects your business but also builds trust with your clients.
Why do beauty therapists need insurance?
Having the right insurance in place is essential for beauty therapists as you could be liable to pay out hefty legal fees or compensation or suffer financial losses if:
- A client claims a treatment caused them harm
- A client slips and falls on a wet floor with no proper signage
- Someone steals your expensive beautician tools
- Professional advice you have given has caused harm
Beauty therapist insurance helps cover your back if a claim is made against you or if you need to make a claim.
What insurance do beauty therapists need?
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 insurance package could include:
Public liability insurance
Helps protects you from claims made against you for injuries or damages like spilling wax on a client’s expensive coat.
Product liability insurance
Financial protection against claims for products you sell due to reactions or if they don’t do what they’re supposed to.
Professional indemnity insurance
Protects you if you need to pay a client compensation as a result of advice or professional services you have provided.
Employers’ liability insurance
In case an employee gets ill or injured because of the work they do for you. A legal requirement if you have employees.
Business equipment insurance
Covers loss or damage to your expensive beauty tools like massage tables if stolen due to a break-in.
What treatments do you need cover for?
As a beauty therapist, you could specialise in a whole host of treatments, from nail services to eyelash extensions, facials and more, but we can cover:
- Aromatherapy
- Application of cosmetics
- Dermaplanning
- Eyebrow waxing and tinting
- Eyebrow threading
- Eyelash tinting, lifts and extensions
- Face and body painting, including henna art
- Facial masks, including steaming treatments
- Hair treatments
- Massages
- Microblading/microneedling
- Nail treatments such as manicures and pedicures
- Waxing
Don’t see your treatment specialty on the list? Get in touch with our knowledgeable insurance team today, it’s likely we can cover you.
Do you need insurance for different treatments?
Eyebrow tints, threading, waxing and sunbeds all come with different risks; that’s why it’s important your salon policy covers all the different treatments you sell. Your salon policy could include a combination of cover for the following treatments:
- Eyelash extensions, lash lifts and tints
- Brow tints, brow lamination, brow threading and henna brows
- Skin treatments such as dermaplaning, microdermabrasion and microblading
- All manicure and pedicure treatments
- Spray tanning and sunbeds
- Facials and massages
- Hair cuts, colours and blow drys
- Waxing
If your beauty salon performs treatments that pierce the skin (with the exception of stud-gun ear piercings!) then you’re likely to have fewer insurers offering you a quote. This type of treatment is known as “invasive beauty” and often requires more specialist insurance due to the additional risk involved in the type of treatment. Our insurance team will be able to help find you a specialist insurer if needed.
Are there any exclusions to shop insurance?
When sorting your shop insurance, it’s important to check for any policy exclusions so you can take out any extra cover if necessary. Look out for the following exclusions:
- Manual work away – Shops insurance provides cover on your specific premises, so if any of your income comes from work away from the premises – say you run a showroom for fitted wardrobes and installation is part of your business – you may need extra cover.
- Break-ins and damage to property – Your insurer will specify the security measures you need to have in place as part of your property and may not pay out on claims made for theft that have been as a result of doors or windows being unlocked. You should check your insurance documentation carefully to make sure you comply with the security required for your property.
- Serving food - If you cook and serve food from your shop, your public liability insurance should cover you for any potential illness caused by your cooking. But you may need additional insurance to cover the extra risk posed by equipment like fryers.
"Not all treatments are the same, so it’s best to be protected. The right insurance gives you peace of mind as you focus on keeping clients happy."
James Barwell, Insurance Director
How much does beauty therapist insurance cost?
No two insurers are the same, so it can sometimes be difficult to give a solid figure for costs. But what you’ll pay will depend on a number of factors, including:
- Extent of cover — The more cover you opt for, the more expensive your package will likely be.
- Your insurer — Insurers appetite will vary and therefore different insurers will offer different prices for their policies.
- Location — The location of your business is taken into consideration when calculating the cost of your premiums.
- Claims history — If you’ve made a claim on your policy or had claims made against you, it may affect your future premiums.
Do you need insurance if you’re a freelance?
Whether you’re a freelance beauty therapist working from home or you’re providing services at clients' homes, yes, it’s best to have some form of insurance to cover your back, just in case.
Insurance such as public liability and product liability can protect you from claims related to your mobile work and make sure you’re covered, no matter where you operate!
Sort insurance for beauty therapists with Bionic
At Bionic, we celebrate and champion UK business owners and want to help in every way we can. That’s why we use a team of knowledgeable insurance brokers who work with a panel of trusted insurers to help you find the right cover.
Our UK-based team helps business owners daily, using smart technology to compare quotes and find the one that fits just right. Get in touch today by starting a quote with us online.
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 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
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