Beauty pros of all types work hard to see their dreams come true, and estheticians are no different. Protecting what you build is just as important as building it in the first place, which is why investing in beauty insurance is so important, even if you work independently. When it comes to what every solo esthetician should know about insurance, there’s no shortage of compelling takeaways.
There’s no question that being a solo esthetician comes with a host of benefits, including the freedom and flexibility to pursue your goals your way, but it also comes with increased responsibility. Part of that responsibility is ensuring that you, your business, and your clients are as safe as possible at all times.
Because there are so many types of beauty insurance, it can be difficult to determine which ones you need, but don’t worry; we’re here to help.
Key Takeaways
Solo estheticians have the unique opportunity to build their beauty biz their way, but that freedom comes with hefty responsibilities. To help you find (and protect) long-term success, we’ve put together a guide packed with what every solo esthetician should know about insurance.
The Ultimate Guide to What Every Solo Esthetician Should Know About Insurance
Before jumping into the different types of insurance estheticians should know about, the best beauty insurance providers, and more, it’s essential to understand exactly why estheticians need insurance in the first place.
Insurance matters for solo estheticians for a number of reasons, and while we could wax poetic on this topic for far too long, the following stand out:
- Accidents happen. Even if you are incredibly skilled, trained by the best, and the quintessential beauty pro, working with clients introduces the possibility of accidents, including injuries.
- Peace of mind matters. Knowing that you have legal protection helps you practice with confidence and experience peace of mind as you perform your services.
- Professionalism is important. Not only do many landlords, spas, and events require proof of insurance, but having a policy also shows your clients that you are serious about your work and projects a professional image.
- Coverage has your back. When injuries occur, client disputes happen, you have issues with your equipment, or a host of other things go wrong, having an esthetician insurance policy can save you and your beauty biz.
Types of Beauty Insurance Estheticians Should Know
From allergic reactions to slip and fall accidents, there’s a lot that can go wrong when working in the beauty biz. Not all potential legal issues are related to bodily injury, either–personal property damage and equipment failure are excellent examples of other issues beauty pros can encounter.
Thankfully, there are various types of esthetician insurance that can cover you under a variety of circumstances. Of the available options, there are a handful that every esthetician should be aware of and consider investing in.
- General liability insurance. This type of esthetician insurance covers bodily injury and property damage that occurs on the premises of your business, even if you aren’t directly responsible. It is often called “slip-and-fall” insurance.
- Professional liability insurance. Also known as malpractice insurance, the claims covered by this type of policy include things like improper service, burns, allergic reactions, and negligence. In other words, it applies predominantly to mistakes you make while providing services.
- Product liability insurance. If you sell or use a product and your customer has a reaction to it, this type of insurance covers it.
- Business property insurance. If damage to your equipment, furniture, or tools occurs, you will want to have this insurance.
- Workers’ compensation. If you have a part-time assistant, contractor, or employee, you should look into this insurance.
- Cyber liability. Not everyone needs this type of insurance, but it comes in handy if there is a data breach that exposes your clients’ digital data.
What to Look for in an Esthetician Insurance Policy
With the essential types of esthetician insurance in mind, you can turn your attention to the specific things you should look for in a policy. This conversation starts with coverage limits and selecting a policy with a high enough value for your business. Next, you should choose a policy that is specifically for estheticians. You want the exact services you offer to be covered.
From there, you can dive into the details. Does the policy cover you at a salon and on the go? Is it occurrence-based or claims-made? Does it cover your legal fees? Make sure you do your research and get answers before committing to a coverage.
Top Beauty Insurance Providers for Estheticians
There are many beauty insurance providers on the market, and determining which is right for you can be challenging. Start by narrowing down the providers to those who offer what you need, and don’t forget to read the fine print so you can compare things like deductible, portability, and exclusions.
Some of the reputable names you should know are Beauty and Bodywork Insurance (BBI), Hands on Trade, and Beauty Insurance Plus.
Common Insurance Mistakes Solo Estheticians Make
As a solo esthetician, it is easy to make certain insurance mistakes. For example, assuming that your spa’s policy covers you may seem logical, but such policies often do not extend to you. You also need to make sure you update your policy anytime something changes, including when you move, change the services you offer, or offer mobile work.
How to Manage Your Esthetician Insurance Like a Pro
To get the most out of your esthetician insurance, you need to ensure it is current (renew it on time and make updates when your business changes), consider bundling your coverage with other services (like business licenses), and maintain an incident log that includes even the most minor of events.
You can learn more about insurance for solo estheticians by subscribing to Beauty Insurance Plus, talking to one of our experienced team members, and reading our beauty blog!