Being a beauty therapist can prove very rewarding. You have the ability to instil some newfound confidence into your clients, whether you’re delivering a facial, styling their hair, painting their face, or even waxing them. However, regardless of how high your professional standards are, accidents can still happen.

A client could even claim that you did something wrong, therefore, a dependable beauty insurance policy is a must.

Do I still need insurance as self-employed salon staff?

Although it’s not a legal requirement, public liability insurance is considered essential within all industries that deal with customers on a regular basis. Also, this will help to present yourself in a professional light, and provide you with peace of mind.

Beauty insurance covers you need

Public liability insurance

This should be the cornerstone of any insurance policy, regardless of the nature of the business and whether you’re freelance or employed by somebody. Public liability insurance will protect you if a client or member of the public should suffer an injury caused by you, but is not directly related to the treatment. For example, if a customer tripped over a trailing wire of a hair dryer and injures him or herself, you will be covered.

Accidental damage to a client’s property is also covered. So, if you were to spill nail varnish across their lovely cream carpet, this would cover any expense relating to the damage.

Beauty treatment risk liability insurance

Delivering beauty treatments carries an element of risk. It could be that a client suffers an allergic reaction from the dye you use, or you could accidentally burn them with the hot wax you use. If so, you would likely find yourself faced with a court case and compensation claim, both amounting to great expense. This insurance would cover both the legal fears and any compensation that the client is awarded.

Product liability insurance

Often, in shops, you may have found that there are posters displaying information to a product recall. This is because the item has been deemed faulty. Unfortunately this can happen as a beauty therapist. If you were to use a product on a client, or supply them with a product which is later found to be faulty, and that product causes them injury or damages their property, they might try to sue. Product liability insurance would cover you.

Professional indemnity insurance

As a beauty therapist, you might be asked that you start getting advice on certain treatments by clients. Although this isn’t what you to do to your client, it’s what your client does on your advice. And you might be held responsible if something goes wrong.

What treatments are covered?

Freelance treatments covered will differ between providers; hence it’s advisable to ask for a full breakdown. Salon Gold covers a comprehensive list of treatments including aqua detox, henna art, tooth jewellery, waxing and much more.

Other covers

Depending on the nature of your freelancing, you might look to add other things to policy. Other viable covers include legal expenses, personal accident, financial loss, money cover, and stock/equipment cover.