Salon insurance

A simple guide for busy salon owners

Salon insurance is a package of policies that helps protect hair, beauty, and barber businesses from everyday risks. If a client slips, reacts to a colour, or equipment fails ahead of a busy Saturday, the right cover limits the financial shock so you can keep trading. In the UK, core protections usually include public liability, employers’ liability, treatment risk, products liability, and cover for your kit, furniture, and stock. Some providers bundle these, others let you pick what you need.

Budgets are tight. Recent surveys show 21% of salons are running at a loss, and staffing costs, National Insurance increases, and reduced business rate relief are adding pressure. At the same time, claim trends are shifting. Advanced treatments like microblading, laser services, and chemical peels are linked to more insurance claims, and freelancers have seen public liability premiums roughly double since 2023. Getting the right mix of cover at a fair price is now business critical.

You do not need to become an insurance expert to make a safe choice. This guide explains what salon insurance covers, when it pays out, what it costs in 2025, and where the common gaps appear. We keep the language plain and the expectations realistic. You will also find a short step-by-step on getting a quote, buying a policy, and making a claim, so you know exactly what to expect.

Insurance can protect your cash flow - but only if the policy matches the treatments you actually perform.

By the end, you should feel confident comparing options, avoiding unnecessary extras, and checking the small print that matters most for salons across Great Britain.

What is covered and how it works in practice

Most salon policies start with public liability, which can cover injury or property damage suffered by clients or visitors. If someone trips over a cable or is burned by a hot tool, this is typically the section that responds. Limits commonly range up to £5 million. Employers’ liability is a legal requirement if you employ staff and can help with claims from employees who are injured or fall ill because of their work.

Treatment risk or treatment indemnity is crucial for hair and beauty. It addresses claims linked to professional services, such as allergic reactions to tint, chemical burns, or skin irritation after peels. Claims are investigated by the insurer, and if cover applies, they handle legal defence and compensation within your policy limits. For product-related issues, products liability may respond if a client alleges damage from a product you supplied or sold.

Business contents and equipment cover can help if chairs, basins, electrical tools, or stock are damaged by events like fire or flood. Some policies include business interruption, which may replace lost income while you get back up and running. There are important exclusions to understand. Many policies require you to patch test tinting or colouring treatments and keep records. Advanced procedures like microblading or laser therapy might need specific qualifications, consent forms, and named cover on the policy. Wear and tear, poor maintenance, or unapproved products are commonly excluded. If you offer a new treatment, tell your insurer first so cover can be updated before you start.

Keep treatment records, consent forms, and patch tests on file - they can be decisive during a claim.

Who benefits most from this cover

Salon insurance is designed for hairdressers, barbers, beauty therapists, nail technicians, and aesthetics practitioners working from fixed premises in the UK. It also suits chair renters, mobile stylists, and freelancers who need their own public liability and treatment indemnity when working in clients’ homes, shared studios, or at events. If you employ staff, employers’ liability is compulsory.

If you are a student on supervised practice with no paying clients and your training provider already covers you, you may not need a full policy yet. Likewise, hobbyists who do not trade with the public should not buy more cover than their activities require. When you start charging for treatments or renting a chair, purpose-built insurance becomes essential.

Picking cover that fits your salon

1. Basic - core protections for entry-level budgets

   • Public liability with modest limits and products liability for items you sell or supply.
   • Suitable for small or home-based set-ups offering low-risk services.
   • Often excludes advanced treatments and may not include business interruption.

2. Standard - balanced protection for most salons

   • Public liability with higher limits, employers’ liability if you have staff, and treatment indemnity for common services such as colouring, waxing, and nail work.
   • Contents and portable equipment included, with the option to add business interruption.
   • Good fit for established salons with mixed services and occasional freelancers.

3. Premium - comprehensive protection for complex operations

   • Higher liability limits, robust treatment indemnity including named advanced treatments like microblading or laser, and extended business interruption cover.
   • May include personal accident, legal expenses, and deterioration of stock.
   • Suitable for busy multi-chair salons, multi-site operators, and clinics offering advanced or invasive services.

4. Optional add-ons to consider

   • Cyber cover for online bookings and client data.
   • Money cover for cash on premises and in transit.
   • Tenant improvements for fixtures and fittings you have installed.
   • Equipment breakdown for critical tools and electricals.
   • Fidelity cover addressing employee dishonesty in limited scenarios.

Only pay for add-ons that match your real risks and volumes.

What it costs and why prices vary

Prices are indicative rather than guaranteed. In 2025, many salons face tighter margins, and freelancers in particular have seen public liability premiums rise. Comparing like-for-like limits and checking excesses helps you find fair value.

Can you apply and what will be checked

Most UK salons, barbers, and beauty businesses can apply, including freelancers and chair renters. Insurers usually ask about your treatments, qualifications, patch testing procedures, staff numbers, turnover, and claims history. They may require proof of training for advanced techniques and written client consent forms. If you employ anyone, you must carry employers’ liability and display your certificate.

Applications can be declined if you perform treatments excluded by the insurer, lack the required qualifications, or have an adverse claims history. Non-disclosure is a common reason for problems later, so be complete and accurate. If you plan to add new services, inform your insurer before offering them to clients so cover can be extended appropriately.

From quote to claim in clear steps

1. Gather details on services, qualifications, staff, and equipment values.
2. Get several like-for-like quotes with the same limits and excesses.
3. Confirm treatment lists, patch test rules, and any exclusions in writing.
4. Choose cover levels and add-ons that reflect your real risks.
5. Buy the policy and store documents and certificates securely.
6. Keep treatment records, consent, and patch tests for every client.
7. If something happens, notify the insurer quickly and follow their guidance.

The trade-offs to weigh up

The safest policy is the one that accurately mirrors your day-to-day services.

Key checks before you press buy

Review policy limits for public liability, treatment risk, and business contents against your busiest days and highest ticket services. Confirm the exact list of treatments covered, along with any training or patch testing requirements. Look closely at excesses, waiting periods for business interruption, and any conditions around consent forms, product brands, or equipment maintenance. Renewal pricing can change with claims or new services, so diarise a review before your policy anniversary. Make sure you have the right documents to hand, including qualifications and risk assessments, in case the insurer asks for evidence during a claim.

Alternatives and related options

1. Professional indemnity insurance - for allegations of negligent advice or designs, especially relevant for training or consulting.
2. Personal accident insurance - supports individuals after injury, useful for freelancers reliant on their income.
3. Cyber insurance - helps manage risks from online bookings, payment data, and client records.
4. Tools and equipment cover on a standalone basis - for mobile stylists or freelancers with high-value portable kit.
5. Commercial property insurance - if you own the premises and need building cover alongside your contents.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is salon insurance legally required in the UK? A: Employers’ liability is a legal requirement if you have employees. Public liability and treatment indemnity are not legally mandated, but most landlords, events, and clients expect them and they protect your business financially.

Q: How much does salon insurance cost in 2025? A: Typical starter packages are around £200 to £300 per year, with a broader range between £50 and £500 depending on services, limits, and claims history. Public liability often sits between £47 and £93 annually.

Q: Do freelancers need their own policy if renting a chair? A: Yes, freelancers usually need their own public liability and treatment indemnity even when chair renting. Salon policies often exclude independent practitioners unless they are named and specifically covered.

Q: Are advanced treatments like laser or microblading covered as standard? A: Not always. Many insurers require specific qualifications, consent processes, and an endorsement naming each advanced treatment. Always confirm in writing before offering the service to clients.

Q: What documents should I keep to support a claim? A: Maintain client consultation and consent forms, patch test records, treatment notes, staff training certificates, maintenance logs for equipment, and photos where relevant. Good records speed up decisions and reduce disputes.

Q: Why are some premiums rising for hair professionals? A: Market changes, more freelancers working in varied locations, and a rise in claims linked to advanced treatments have pushed some premiums up. Economic pressures and higher staffing costs also influence pricing.

What to do next

Think about the treatments you deliver today and those you plan to add this year. List the limits you need, gather your documents, and compare quotes on a like-for-like basis. Take your time. If a policy is unclear about advanced treatments, ask for written confirmation before you buy. A clear, tailored policy is better value than a cheap one with hidden gaps.

Important note

This guide is general information, not personal financial advice. Policy terms vary by insurer. Always read your documents carefully, check what treatments are covered, and confirm limits, exclusions, and excesses before you purchase.