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Self-Employed / Mobile / Freelance Beauty Therapist
Beauty Salon Business
What does beauty therapy insurance cover?
Our beauty therapist insurance policies are designed to support professionals across various specialties, offering individual policies for nail technicians, make-up artists, hairdressers, massage therapists and more. Each policy provides essential cover to protect you against unforeseen incidents, ensuring you can focus on delivering exceptional services.
Our range of hair and beauty insurance policies include public liability, equipment and stock cover, and customisable extras that align with the unique risks and needs of your profession. Whether your expertise lies in nail artistry, flawless make-up application, innovative hair styling, or therapeutic massage, you can select the policy that fits your specific services, so you’re only covered for what matters to you.
For professionals working in mobile settings, such as visiting clients’ homes, our policies offer additional protection for mobile work. This includes coverage for accidental damage to clients’ property—for example, spills or equipment-related mishaps—providing peace of mind wherever your work takes you.
Whether you operate in a salon, work independently, or travel to clients, our beauty therapy policies ensure you’re protected against potential claims, offering you the confidence to excel in your chosen field.
Make sure you have the correct insurance for your activities and be sure to check if any exclusions are relevant to what you have planned in policy documentation.
Public Liability
Professional Indemnity
Employers' Liability
Equipment
Professional Indemnity and Professional Treatment
- From £1 million to £5 million of cover.
- Protection from claims by a third-party (client or member of the public) who sustains injuries or has their property damaged as a result of your actions or advice that you provide.
Third Party Property Damage
- Cover for any non-negligent loss or damage to others’ property that you may cause while providing your therapies.
Employers’ Liability
- Up to £10 million of cover.
- Protection from claims against employee incidents if someone suffers a work-related injury and brings a claim against you.
Equipment
- From £500 to £3000 worth of cover
- Cover is provided on a new for old basis for items under three years old, meaning that regardless of whether you have had the item for three months or three years, we will replace it with a brand-new equivalent if the damage is irreparable.
Equipment Hire
- From £750 worth of cover
Personal Accident
- Protection from workplace accidents.
- A selection of incidents can be claimed for under this benefit including accidental death, permanent total disablement and temporary total disablement.
Legal Expenses
- Access to a legal helpline and a counselling service in addition to legal defence costs.
- The cover can be upgraded further to include employment disputes, property disputes, health and safety disputes and more.
- Treatments you are not qualified to do.
- Treatments that are not listed on your proposal form and subsequent schedule of insurance.
- Any services provided overseas.
- Prescription or supply of medicines and other pharmaceutical.
- The use of non-proprietary products to aid your therapy.
For further information on exclusions in your cover please refer to policy documentation.
Public & product liability
- Up to £5 million of cover
- Protects your beauty salon if a client or member of the public is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your business activities
- Includes incidents arising from beauty treatments, such as burns, cuts, allergic reactions, skin irritation, or accidental spillage during treatments
- Covers liability for beauty products sold or supplied as part of your services, including skincare, waxing products, lash and brow treatments, tanning solutions, and aftercare products
- Also includes Products Liability for products sold or supplied.
- Includes liability under the Defective Premises Act 1972 (up to £1 million).
Professional treatment
- Cover specifically for injuries or damage resulting from treatments carried out by the business.
- Examples include reactions to products or treatment mishaps.
Employers Liability
- Up to £10 million of cover.
- Covers claims from employees who suffer an injury or illness arising from employer negligence.
- Requires details of all staff, including roles such as qualified therapists, trainees, or administrative team members.
- Legally required for salons employing staff—whether full‑time, part‑time, or voluntary.
- Does not include professional instruction or teaching (Professional Indemnity is not included).
Property Damage
Cover for accidental loss or damage to your salon’s physical assets, with protection across several key areas:
Equipment away from premises
- Covers portable business equipment used off‑site, ideal if staff occasionally work at events or external locations, against damage or theft within territorial limits.
Glass
- Covers fixed salon glass, including decorative designs, signage, and protective fittings.
Stock in trade
- Protection for salon stock used or sold as part of your services, such as skincare, nail products, or retail lines.
Business Content
- Covers furniture, fixtures, tools, computer hardware, and employees’ personal effects (up to £500 per person).
- Excludes jewellery, furs, money, and motor vehicles.
Tenant improvements
- Covers improvements you’ve made to a rented or leased space that you are contractually responsible for—such as flooring, built‑in units, or fixed treatment stations.
Buildings
- Includes the buildings of the insured’s business premises where the insured is responsible, including shop fronts, landlord’s fixtures and fittings, fixed sanitary ware, and associated external features.
Money, Assault, Employee dishonesty
Money
- Protection for loss or theft of business money under defined limits (e.g., £2,500 for transit or safe storage).
- Cover applies at the premises, in transit, at employees’ homes, and in vending machines.
Assault
- Provides financial support if you or a team member is injured due to a robbery or attempted robbery.
- Includes a £10,000 capital benefit and £100 weekly benefit for temporary total disablement.
Employee Dishonesty
- Covers up to £5,000 for losses caused by dishonest acts of employees involving money or property.
Business interruption
- Protects your salon’s income following disruption caused by an insured Property Damage claim.
- Up to £500,000 Loss of Income (up to 24 months).
- £10,000 Increased Cost of Working to help keep operations running.
- £2,000 Book Debts if outstanding client or supplier payments cannot be recovered.
Cover may be triggered by:
• property damage
• utility or internet failure
• denial of access
• public authority restrictions
• supplier failure
• loss of attraction
Not available online for salons with an annual turnover above £250,000 (requires underwriter review).
- Damage to third‑party property that is not connected to the salon’s business activities.
- Any property damage where required building or safety conditions (e.g., security, fire protection) are not met.
- Premises left unoccupied for more than 7 consecutive days.
- Storage of highly flammable or hazardous substances.
Certain exclusions may apply under each cover section as defined in the policy wording, please refer to policy documentation.
Why you need beauty business insurance?
Having business beauty insurance is essential for protecting yourself, your clients, and your livelihood. Whether you’re a nail technician, makeup artist, hairdresser, or massage therapist, accidents can happen—even in the most professional settings.
Specialist beauty insurance provides the confidence and security you need to offer your services, knowing you are protected if a claim is made. Although you might consider it a low-risk profession, there are common scenarios that demonstrate the importance of having hair and beauty insurance:
Protecting you if a client is accidentally injured.
Whilst the probability of injury to a client or a member of the public is low, you might accidentally cause an injury from a hot curling iron or hair straightener.
Public liability insurance will protect you from claims if damage is caused or a client sustained an injury whilst in your place of work and holds you accountable.
Damage to a clients’ property.
Whilst the probability of injury to a client or a member of the public is low, you might damage an expensive item of clothing with nail products. The repairs could be expensive, and a client could claim against you for the costs. Public liability would also protect you in such instances.
Avoid costly repairs and replacements to your beauty equipment.
You may have invested in expensive beauty equipment for your business. This might get lost, whilst providing treatments on the road. Alternatively, items could get damaged if you store them in a premises you work at.
Equipment cover can avoid costly replacements in case your equipment is lost, damaged or stolen.
Our experts explain why...
“Our insurance policies for nail technicians, makeup artists, hairdressers, and therapists are designed to protect you financially if you accidentally cause injury or damage to a client’s property or someone else’s belongings.
We cater to small business owners, freelancers and professionals who don’t have their own salon premises, including those working as contractors for other businesses or providing home visit services.
Over the years, we’ve refined our policies to not only cover potential liability claims but also to protect your specialist equipment—so if something goes wrong, you can claim with confidence.”
Mandy Czyz, Protectivity Underwriting Manager

How much does insurance for beauty professions cost?
At Protectivity beauty therapy policies start from from £3.14 a month.*
The cost of your policy will depend on a range of factors, including the size and type of your business. For instance, employing staff, operating from your own premises, or insuring high-value equipment and stock may increase your premium. The amount of public liability cover you select, along with any optional add-ons such as business interruption or personal accident cover, will also influence the overall price.
Prices from
£3.14* a month
Example quote
Policy cost
£3.14* a month
Policy type
Beauty Therapist Insurance
Duration
Annual
Turnover
Up to £50,000
Public liability
£1,000,000
Professional treatment
£1,000,000
Third party property damage
£750
This example is based on a real quote from our website on 05/01/2026. If your circumstances and cover needs differ, your quote may be more or less expensive than the above example. The quote you receive will reflect the information you share about your event. The quoted price may vary from those displayed here.
Have a question?
For further information on your policy, renewals, making a claim and contacting us, you’ll find an extensive list of FAQs on our Help & Support page.
Why choose Protectivity for your beauty therapist insurance policy?
Let the reviews of over 3,500 customers explain why you should choose us.¹
Trusted by over 180,000 customers.
Experienced insurance providers for over 30 years.

Over 3,500 highly rated reviews.
Proof of our excellent customer service.

Experienced Claims Handling
A smooth and efficient claims process.
UK Based Customer Support
Our UK sales team are here to help.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Do beauty advisors need product liability cover?
Yes—if you sell, recommend, or provide products as part of your work.
Product Liability protects you if a product you supply or use causes an injury or reaction, even if you didn’t manufacture it.
Beauty salons automatically have this included.
Beauty therapists receive this under Public & Product Liability.
Am I protected against discrimination claims?
No. Neither the beauty therapist nor beauty salon cover includes protection for claims involving:
- Discrimination
- Harassment
- Wrongful dismissal
- Other employment‑related disputes
However, Legal Expenses cover can help with certain employment and business disputes if added as an optional extra—though it does not include discrimination compensation claims.
Do I need insurance for makeup tutorials?
It depends how you run the tutorials:
Yes – In‑person demonstrations on a model would be covered under your treatment liability (if you are performing the makeup demo).
No – Providing professional instruction or teaching others how to perform the techniques is not covered.
Teaching is excluded under both beauty therapist and salon policies.
Do I need insurance for bridal makeup?
Yes—and it is covered as long as makeup application is on your policy and you’re qualified.
Your protection includes:
- Treatment Liability, covering mistakes or injuries during makeup application
- Public Liability, covering accidents at the client’s venue or home
- Third‑Party Property Damage, for accidental damage at wedding locations
- Equipment Cover, for portable makeup kits during travel
This applies whether you’re freelance, mobile, or salon‑based.
What if I cause an eye infection?
You’re covered, if the infection results from:
- A beauty treatment you administered (e.g., lash extensions, tinting, makeup application)
- A product you used or supplied
- Accidental injury or contamination during treatment
This is included under Professional Treatment Liability and Product Liability.
Am I covered for skin sensitivity tests?
Yes. Skin tests and patch tests are considered part of the treatment process. If a client has a reaction and makes a claim, it falls under:
- Professional Indemnity & Treatment Liability (therapists)
- Public & Product Liability (salons)
As always, treatments must be ones you are qualified to perform and listed on your policy.
What if I damage a client’s skin?
You’re covered under Professional Indemnity & Treatment Liability, as long as:
- You are trained and qualified in the treatment
- The treatment is included on your policy
- The injury was caused during the treatment you performed
This includes burns, abrasions, chemical damage, or incorrect technique.
Am I covered for allergic reactions?
Yes—if the allergic reaction occurs as a result of a treatment you carried out or a product you used or supplied.
This is covered under:
- Professional Indemnity & Treatment Liability (for beauty therapists)
- Public & Product Liability (for salon owners)
Both types of cover protect you if a client claims they were injured due to your treatment, including reactions such as redness, swelling, or irritation.
Important: You must be trained and qualified in the treatment, and it must be listed on your policy schedule.
Discover more from Protectivity
This page content has been created for general information and should not be taken as advice.
*Prices quoted refer to a quote raised from our website 05/01/2026. Prices will differ depending on requirements. Make sure you have the correct level of cover for what you need. For the most accurate pricing, please get a quote and for full details on what is covered refer to our policy documentation with your quote.
** Based on Protectivity sales data from 2007 to present
¹Based on live Feefo data















