Like many manicurists and pedicurists, you’re probably more focused on learning techniques and getting supplies for your work. Insurance isn’t likely at the top of your to-do list, especially if you’re just starting out.
If you’re already working on clients’ nails, it’s worth considering insurance as a way to protect your nail business. But do manicurists and pedicurists need insurance, and if they do, exactly what types are available?
This guide answers these questions and more.
Key Takeaways
It’s easy to put off insurance because people generally don’t wake up hoping to get sued because of a service they provided. But once you’re working professionally, you’ll want to consider having the right coverage, especially since it can help you handle unexpected claims.
Why Manicurists and Pedicurists May Need Insurance
Compared to some other beauty services, nail services may seem straightforward, but you’re using sharp tools and professional products that might cause injury or unexpected reactions. A client could get a cut during a manicure or experience irritation after a product is applied.
While you can reduce the chances of an incident by taking precautions, that doesn’t guarantee that a client won’t make a claim if something goes wrong. That’s where liability insurance can help, particularly with covered claims and related expenses, depending on the terms of your policy.
In many cases, having your own liability coverage makes sense, especially if you work in a shared space. The exact requirements usually depend on your location and how you work. Insurance is something you want to seriously consider once you start taking clients on your own.
What Types of Insurance Do Nail Techs Need?
As a nail technician, you may want insurance that protects the actual work you do as well as your business operations. Two of the common coverage options that fit the bill are professional liability and general liability insurance.
Professional Liability Insurance
This type of insurance focuses on the services and professional advice you provide. It helps with claims that may come up if someone says you made a mistake during a manicure or pedicure, or that the advice or instructions you gave them after the service caused them harm or injury. The exact coverage depends on the terms of your policy.
General Liability Insurance
With this coverage, you get a financial safety net for common everyday accidents that are tied to your business operations. For example, a client walks into your workspace on a rainy Tuesday morning and slips on a wet patch of floor. They fall hard and get hurt. If the client decides to make a claim, general liability insurance can help cover your legal fees and covered settlements or judgments up to the limit of your policy.
To make things simpler, some policies, including those offered by Beauty Insurance Plus, combine professional and general liability coverages. But keep in mind that not all insurance policies cover the same services or situations. So before you choose a policy, you want to read policy details carefully.
With Beauty Insurance Plus, you get a policy that includes professional and general liability insurance with limits of $2 million per occurrence and a $3 million individual annual aggregate. It also includes $2 million in personal and advertising injury coverage for nail techs.
Do You Need Nail Technician Insurance If You Work at a Salon?
Salons often have coverage for their business operations. If you work as a salon employee, you may have some coverage through the salon, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about your own insurance. That’s because the salon’s policy may not automatically apply to everything you do as an individual professional.
If you work at a salon under a different arrangement, for example, if you rent a booth or work as an independent contractor, the situation may be very different. In fact, some salons may want to see proof that you have insurance before allowing you to work there.
While this may seem like an extra hoop you need to jump through before working at a salon, it’s actually a protection measure. It’s usually a good idea to ask about insurance requirements before you sign an agreement and commit to a workspace. That way, you won’t be caught off guard down the line.
What If You Work From Home or Offer Mobile Services?
Just because a policy covers nail services, it doesn’t mean it covers every location where the policyholder offers those services. In other words, your work setup can change what you should consider when choosing an insurance policy.
If you see clients in your home, you want to be sure the policy applies to the way you provide your nail services. If you’re a mobile nail tech, you want to confirm that your coverage applies when you travel to clients.
Some nail tech policies are designed to cover different work arrangements. For example, with coverage from Beauty Insurance Plus, you can continue offering your nail services if you change locations or work arrangements during your policy term.
Protect Your Nail Career With Beauty Insurance Plus
It’s easy to put off insurance because people generally don’t wake up hoping to get sued because of a service they provided. But once you’re working professionally, you’ll want to consider having the right coverage, especially since it can help you handle unexpected claims.
Of course, you should improve your technique and build your client base, but don’t forget to protect the business you’re building.
Ready to get insured? Check out Nail Technician Insurance from Beauty Insurance Plus. You can review the available coverage, covered services, and policy benefits before choosing the option that fits your work.
To learn more about important beauty business insights, including general liability and professional liability insurance, be sure to subscribe to Beauty Insurance Plus. You can also find industry trends, business tips, and more by visiting our blog.
