Does Your Salon Owner's Liability Insurance Cover You? 

Understanding Your Salon's Liability Policy & How to Know if it Has Your Back

If you’ve been in the industry for a bit, you probably don’t need the lecture about liability insurance. You know it’s important, you know why it matters, and you know you need it.

We’re glad to hear that. But if you’re a stylist, beauty pro, or cosmetologist working for someone else, the coverage you think you might have under their liability policies might not be enough. What’s worse, they might not have your back at all.

We’re definitely not here to bring doom and gloom to your career or make it sound like we don’t trust your employer. And we’re also 100% not implying that your salon owner doesn’t have your best interest at heart.

To be honest, it’s highly likely they do care about you, want you to be protected, and think you’re totally covered under their insurance policy.

The harsh reality is, though, that whether they’re aware or not, you could be stuck facing the music solo if something happens in the salon on your watch–accidentally or allegedly.

So, if you’re trying to figure out whether or not your salon’s liability insurance coverage is enough to have your back, cover you when things get rough, and not leave you in the lurch, this article is for you. Read on to figure out the ins and outs of salon liability insurance and to learn more about when it’s the right time for you to strike out on your own with cosmetology liability insurance that’s 100% yours.

Does Your Salon’s Liability Insurance Plan Have Your Back?

Here’s the thing about umbrella plans that “cover” the salon you work for–they’re not necessarily designed to go to bat for the individual; they’re designed to protect the business.

Is this a bad thing?

No way–the plan is doing what it’s designed to do, and that’s protecting the salon. But you, as an employee, are not the main objective of protection for the salon. Again, this isn’t by your employer’s malicious design; they’re just doing what they’re supposed to do, safeguard their business.

Think about it this way.

Cosmetology liability insurance is like an umbrella. When the rain comes, that umbrella pops open–and whoever is holding that umbrella right in the center, AKA the policyholder, is going to be protected from the storm as completely as possible.

And it makes sense, right? Holding the umbrella is the best place to be to stay out of the rain.

But let’s say your salon owner is the one holding the umbrella. They, of course, invite you in when the weather gets rough, but you’re not directly beneath that coverage. Instead, you’re standing in the outer bands of that coverage. Sure, you’re kind of covered and protected, but let’s face it–you’re getting wet.

With that in mind, we have to ask–wouldn’t you rather be the person holding your own umbrella?

The same is true from a liability standpoint. Sure, even if you’re a little bit covered by your salon’s liability policy–wouldn’t you rather have your own additional policy that leaves you wholly protected? You should be the one holding the umbrella, friends–that’s the key to ultimate protection.

The Top Factors to Consider About Your Salon’s Liability Insurance

To elaborate a little bit, here are a few things to consider about your salon’s policy. It’s likely that even if you are covered, it’s not for all the services you’re offering. It’s also likely that there are gaps in coverage that leave you vulnerable. Here are a few factors at play when it comes to liability insurance coverage from your employer.

It Probably Covers the Salon, Not the Individuals Working There

So, let’s say there’s a client mishap in the salon, and it’s got your name written all over it. (Hey, it’s OK, it happens). It’s likely that you think your employer’s insurance has your back, but here’s the fine print thing–the policy covers the salon, not the individual.

As we mentioned earlier, your employer’s policy is going to do what it's designed to do–and that is to protect your employer’s investment (AKA, the business). That, unfortunately, doesn’t necessarily include you, the individual stylist.

If your employer’s policy does not name you individually, it’s likely that you are not covered in circumstances like these.

The Policy Probably Only Covers Certain Services

Think of all the services you offer at your salon.

Do you think your employer’s insurance covers all of them? It’s always a high possibility that the services you offer aren’t listed on your employer’s insurance–especially if you’re constantly adding new and improved offerings to your menu of services.

Again, it’s highly likely that your employer is doing the absolute best they can to ensure you’re covered under their policy, but unless you’re directly checking that every service you perform is named and listed in the policy, you could be at risk.

Off-Premises Liability Likely Isn’t in the Cards

Do you ever travel for services? Do you do wedding hair? Makeovers at clients’ houses? Pop-up events?

Unless your employer’s insurance specifies these off-premises circumstances, this is probably a huge gap in coverage that you’re not protected against. If you want mobile coverage that moves with you and has your back everywhere you go, your own liability insurance is an absolute must.

It's on the Employer to Keep the Policy Current

Listen, even if you have the world’s best employer (and we sure hope you do), the fact of the matter is that if you’re relying on their insurance, you’re relying on them to keep everything current.

That’s a lot of trust to put your entire career, your future, and your finances in someone else’s hands. Are their payments current?

Are their policies updated? These are questions you deserve to know the answers to–but it’s a lot tougher to ask and receive these answers when it’s not exactly your policy.

So, talk to us–what are you thinking now that we’ve covered a few of these bases? It’s likely that you get it; your own liability insurance is a must.

And listen, we know this is technically a cost, but honestly, it’s more of an investment–because it’s your career we’re talkin’ about!

Want to know more about where to source the best cosmetology liability insurance in the game? Look no further. Check out our site, subscribe to our blog, and get ready to take your career to totally new heights!