Barbers Insurance
Specialist cover for freelance and mobile barbers & barber shop owners
- Public liability for barbers
- Barber Insurance from £3.76 a month.*
- Flexible monthly payment plans at 0% APR
- Join over 150,000 customers**
Save 10% Onlineˆ
From only £3.76* per month
Get a quote for Barbers Insurance
We offer two types of insurance: one for barbers who only need public liability cover, and another for barber shop/salon owners who also need cover for buildings, contents, or stock.
Public Liability for Barbers
Public Liability & Property Cover for Barber Shop Owners
What does barber insurance cover?
Our insurance for barbers is built to safeguard your business against unexpected events that are beyond your control. Public liability cover is included as standard, with options up to £5 million. This protects you if a client suffers an injury or property damage during a haircut, shave, or through the use of products.
Whether you’re self-employed in a barber shop, a mobile hairdresser or barber, or working from home, our barber insurance provides vital financial protection if a claim is made against you. You can tailor your policy to your needs with optional extras such as personal accident cover, legal expenses, and employers’ liability if you employ staff.
If you operate from a physical shop, our barbershop insurance can also cover your contents, tools, stock, fixtures, and any improvements made to a rented space. Business interruption cover is also available to help protect your income if you’re unable to trade due to unforeseen damage or disruption.
All our cover options are flexible and can be scaled to suit the size and nature of your business—so you only pay for what you need.
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
Equipment & Stock
Employers' Liability
Professional Treatment
Public Liability for Professional Treatment
- From £2 million to £10 million of cover.
- Protection from claims by a third-party who gets injured during an appointment or has their property damaged.
- Cover for the professional treatments you provide including protection if a treatment you perform causes injury or damage, such as harm to a client’s hair or an adverse reaction to a product.
Equipment & Stock
- Up to £250 of cover included, with a £75 excess.
- Add up to £12,000 worth of cover at additional rates.
- 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
- Cover for the cost of temporarily hiring equipment, if you make a valid claim under the Equipment and Stock section of your policy.
- This will occur whilst your items are being repaired or until your claim is settled, whichever happens first.
Third Party Property Damage
- Cover for any non-negligent loss or damage to others’ property that you may cause while providing your barber services.
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.
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.
Cyber Assistance
- A personalised online cyber resilience plan and a 2-hour technician consultation.
- Round-the-clock support:
24/7 Cyber emergency helpline (6 hours a year)
24/7 Access to a legal helpline and document library
24/7 Emotional support via a cyber counselling line
- AI tech assistance for non-emergency help and proactive cyber improvement advice.
- Treatments you are not qualified to do.
- If a customer dislikes their cut or treatment.
- Damage to electrical equipment, mobile phones and computer equipment used to support your business.
- Any liability cover for a premise used for the provision of the business.
- Injury to customers resulting from the use of substances, unless a sensitivity patch test has been done on those customers, at least 24 hours before you use it.
- Treatments and activities performed overseas.
For further information on exclusions in your cover please refer to policy documentation.
Public & product liability
- Up to £5 million of cover.
- Covers injury to third parties or damage to their property during business activities.
- Includes cover for incidents arising from professional treatments (e.g., allergic reaction, dye spillage).
- 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 for injury or death due to employer negligence.
- Requires details of all employees, including roles (qualified, trainee, clerical).
- Required by law if employing staff (paid or voluntary).
- Does not include cover for teaching or giving professional advice (no Professional Indemnity cover).
Property Damage
Cover for physical loss or damage to business property, under these specific categories
Equipment away from premises
- Covers business equipment used away from the premises for damage or theft within territorial limits
Glass
- Covers fixed glass, including designs, lettering, and protective fittings.
Stock in trade
- Covers business stock used or sold in connection with your services.
Business Content
- Includes furniture, fittings, tools, computer hardware, and employees’ personal items (limited to £500 per person).
- Excludes jewellery, furs, motor vehicles, and money.
Tenant improvements
- Covers improvements made to a rented or leased property that the insured is legally responsible for.
Money, Assault, Employee dishonesty
Money
- Cover for loss or theft of business money under specific limits (e.g., £2,500 for transit, safes, etc.).
- Includes cover at premises, in transit, at employees’ residences, and vending machines.
Assault
- Covers injury due to robbery or attempted robbery.
- Capital sum: £10,000.
- Weekly benefit for temporary total disablement: £100.
Employee Dishonesty
- Cover up to £5,000 for losses caused by dishonest acts of employees involving money or property.
Business interruption
- Covers loss of income due to disruption from a covered Property Damage claim.
- £500,000 for Loss of Income (up to 24 months).
- £10,000 for Increased Cost of Working to maintain operations.
- £2,000 for unrecoverable Book Debts.
- Triggers include property damage, utility or internet failure, denial of access, public authority action, supplier failure, or loss of attraction.
- Not available online if annual turnover exceeds £250,000 (requires underwriter review).
- Teaching or professional instruction (no Professional Indemnity cover).
- Damage to third parties not related to business activities.
- Any property damage if building and business conditions (e.g. security, fire safety) are not met.
- Vacant premises over 7 consecutive days.
- Storage of highly flammable substances
Certain exclusions may apply under each cover section as defined in the policy wording, please refer to policy documentation.
Why do you need barber cover?
Clients visit your barbershop for precision cuts, grooming services, and a professional experience they can trust. While you take great care in your work, accidents can still happen—often when you least expect them.
Specialist barber insurance gives you the confidence to keep working, knowing you’re protected if something goes wrong. Whether you’re a mobile barber, freelancer, or working from home, risks can include a client having a reaction to a product, accidental damage to their property during an appointment, or even losing your tools while travelling between jobs.
If you run a barbershop, the risks can be wider. A customer slipping on your premises, damage to costly clippers or chairs, or an unexpected event like a fire or theft could disrupt your ability to operate. And if you employ staff, you also have a duty to ensure their safety while at work.
No matter how or where you run your business, the right insurance helps protect what you’ve built. With cover in place, you can focus on your clients, knowing you’re prepared if the unexpected happens.
Cover against claims should a member of the public get injured.
Whilst the probability of injury to a client or a member of the public is low, a client may suffer an accident such as tripping over a salon chair and hold you responsible.
Public liability insurance for barbers will protect should someone get hurt whilst in your place of work and holds you accountable.
Damage to a clients’ property.
A mobile barber might need insurance because there’s always a risk of damaging someone’s property. For example, if a barber visits a client’s home for a trim and accidentally damages the carpet, they could be liable for the repair costs. Public liability insurance would protect you in such situations.
Avoid costly barber equipment repairs and replacements.
A client may walk off with a tool you own or if you store hair products, they might become damaged in storage.
Barber equipment cover can avoid costly replacements in case your equipment is lost, damaged or stolen.
A salon or barber shop requires public liability for contracted barbers
If you are contracted by barber to provide your services. Having suitable public liability cover will likely be a minimum requirement.
Our experts explain why...
“Our barber policy is designed to protect you financially, should you accidently cause an injury or damage your customers property or the property of another party. We cater for freelancers and those people that do not have their own premises they manage themselves, a lot of our customers work for other companies as contractors, they have a chair at a salon or a barber shop for example, we can also cater for those people that do home visits to cut their customers hair. We have built our policy over the years, to not just protect you from incidences that you could be liable to pay damages but also for your specialised equipment and stock and even to cover you should you have an accident when providing hairdressing and barbering services, so you can claim for loss of earnings and much more.”
Chris Trotman, Protectivity Underwriting Manager
How much does barbers insurance cost?
At Protectivity hairdressing policies start at just £3.76 per month *.
Barber shop Insurance starts from £11.02 a month.*
The cost of insurance for barbers will vary depending on the type of policy you choose, whether it’s individual cover for a mobile or freelance professional, or a policy for a salon or barber shop.
Several factors can affect the price, including the size and nature of your business. For example, if you employ staff, operate from a physical premises, or need to cover valuable equipment or stock, this may increase the cost. The level of public liability cover you choose, as well as any optional extras like business interruption or personal accident, can also influence the final premium.
Each policy is tailored to suit your specific setup, so you only pay for the cover that’s relevant to your business.
Prices from
£3.76* a month
Explainer quote
Policy cost
£3.76* a month
Policy type
Barbers Insurance
Turnover
Up to £35,000
Public Liability
£2,000,000
Product Liability
£2,000,000
Equipment & Stock
£250
Equipment Hire
£750
Third Party Property Damage
£750
This example is based on a real quote from our website on 2/06/2025. 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.
What types of barbers do we cover?
Whether you’re working solo or running a bustling shop, we’ve got you covered. However, no matter your setup, all barbers need to meet UK regulations by holding the right qualifications and certifications, alongside sticking to health and safety best practices.
Types of barbers we cover
At Protectivity, we’ve got insurance options tailored to barbers of all kinds:
- Owners of traditional barbershops
- Self-employed barbers renting chairs
- Mobile barbers making home visits
- Turkish barbers specialising in traditional techniques
- Fashion and editorial barbers working on creative projects
- Barbers focused on weddings and events
- Franchise owners running barbershop chains
- Pop-up barbershop operators
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 barbers insurance policy?
Let the reviews of over 3,500 customers explain why you should choose us.¹
Trusted by over 150,000 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
Am I covered if a customer has an allergic reaction to a product?
Yes, provided you have treatment risk cover. However, some insurers may require that you conduct a patch test prior to using certain products, so check the specifics of your policy to ensure compliance.
What if I rent a chair in a barbershop—do I still need insurance?
Yes. If you rent a chair, public liability and treatment risk cover are essential, as you’ll still be liable for any accidents or claims that arise from your services. Typically, you will be required to have proof of insurance before you rent a chair.
Does barber insurance cover theft of equipment?
Yes, we offer insurance cover theft or damage to your equipment. Coverage typically includes tools, styling products, and electronic devices used in your business.
Why is Public Liability Insurance important for barbers?
Public Liability Insurance covers you if a third party, like a client, is injured or suffers property damage on your premises (or due to your services). For example, if a client slips on a wet floor or has an adverse reaction to a product, public liability insurance helps cover compensation and legal fees.
What’s the difference between standard business insurance and barber insurance?
Barber insurance is designed to cover specific risks in the barbering industry, such as treatment risk (e.g., allergic reactions to products) and equipment cover. Standard business insurance typically lacks these industry-specific protections.
Is barber insurance required by law?
Public liability insurance isn’t legally required but is strongly recommended. However, if you employ staff, you’re legally required to have employer’s liability insurance.
Does my barber insurance policy cover my employees?
If you have employees, you’re legally required to have employers’ liability insurance. This can be included in your policy and covers you if an employee is injured or becomes ill as a result of working for you.
How much public liability cover do barbers need?
We offer up to £5 million in public liability cover. The amount you need may depend on your specific business activities and any contractual requirements. Consider the maximum possible loss your business could face in the event of a claim.
Does my policy include product liability insurance?
Product liability is included in your policy. This covers you if a product you’ve sold or used causes injury or damage, subject to policy limits.
Am I covered for mobile hairdressing?
Yes, our policy covers mobile barbers. You’re protected while working at clients’ homes or other locations, and your equipment is covered during transit.
What activities can you cover me for?
We can cover the following activities as standard under our Barber Insurance policy:
The use of:
– Clippers/trimmers and cut-throat razors
– Electrical equipment such as curlers, straighteners, hairdryers and tongs
The application of:
– Bleaches, dyes, perms and tints
– Hair extensions (subject to you being qualified for the extension method you are using)
– Nail polish (including the application of acrylic coatings, cutting and shaping of nails), false eyelashes and semi-permanent eyelash extensions
– Tooth jewellery
The activities of:
– Ear piercing using a gun and stud
– Eyebrow plucking (including threading and waxing), shaping, dyeing, tinting and perming including semi-permanent mascara
– Washing, cutting, styling and drying of hair
If your chosen treatment is not listed, just get in touch and speak to one of our friendly advisors to see if we can cover you.
Do you need to see my qualifications/certificates?
We do not need to see proof of your qualifications for you to be able to take out our insurance. We do, however, require you and any employees to hold the relevant qualifications or certificates for the services you are providing. Please note, that we do not accept qualifications that are obtained by a method of remote learning (e.g. internet-based training courses). If you need to make a claim on your Hairdressing Insurance policy then we may request to see these documents. Should we discover that you are not qualified to carry out the insured activities, we may reject your claim.
Am I covered if a customer doesn’t like their hair cut/treatment?
No, this is something that is not covered. Our policy is designed to cover Liability issues, such as injury to a third party, such as a customer, or damage to their property. For example, our policy would cover a mobile hairdresser if they were to burn a client’s scalp with curling tongs, or with an erroneously applied bleach.
Do I need to do a patch test on a client prior to using hair dye or other such products?
You would need to do a patch test at least 24 hours prior to using a product on a client for the first time and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. However, if the manufacturer states that patch testing should be done more regularly, or each time that a product is to be used, then you should adhere to those instructions.
Can you insure my hair products and stock?
Yes, our Equipment Cover benefit includes protection for things such as styling products, treatment items and other stock you may use or sell in your salon. Like your specific hairdressing equipment, it is covered against loss, theft and damage up to the value selected on your policy. We even provide £250 worth of cover free of charge with every policy taken out.
I have students working for me while they study to become a hairdresser, are they covered under this policy?
If you include Employers’ Liability on your policy, we can provide cover for students as long as they are supervised.
What happens if I have a claim under the Equipment Cover section of my policy?
If your equipment requires repair or is deemed to be broken and you have a valid claim, we will cover the costs of hiring new equipment to replace it while the original item is being replaced, or until your claim is settled, whichever is soonest.
Are my work phone and laptop covered under the equipment cover section?
No, we only provide cover for the items you use to provide your insured treatments, such as scissors, clippers, salon chair and razors.
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 01/10/2024. 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 Sep 2024
ˆ10% discount for selected policies bought online and applies only to the first-year of your policy premium. Protectivity reserves the right to amend or withdraw this offer at any time. Available to UK residents only.
¹Based on live Feefo data