Barber Shop & Hair Salon Insurance

Here are the biggest reasons hair shops are sued every day:

• Bad dye jobs
• Eye injuries caused by chemicals
• Insufficient or improper employee training
• Slips and falls
• Cuts that cause injury and bleeding
• Burned hair
• Damaged hair
• Failure to follow proper treatment procedures
• Unsanitary instruments that cause infection
• Employment compensation issues

Thankfully, here at InsuranceHub we have experience helping hair salons, nail salons, and cosmetology providers. We understand the liabilities that come with providing the everyday services you offer to your clients, like:

• Cutting, styling, and trimming hair
• Dying and coloring hair
• Applying permanent wave solutions
• Applying straightening solutions to hair
• Massages
• Manicures and pedicures
• Tanning beds
• Cosmetic consulting and application
• Facials
• Electrolysis
• Waxing

Property exposure: How big is your salon or barber shop? Your biggest concerns have to do with fire, smoke, and water damage. Make sure that all repairs to plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems are done by licensed professionals. Professional scissors, clippers, and tools used by your employees can be expensive to replace if damaged or stolen.

Professional liability exposure: What kind of services are you currently offering? Make sure to only hire experienced staff and subcontractors since your reputation is on the line. 

• Beware of spreading head lice from infected clients.
• Make sure employees wash their hands and clean combs, brushes, and clippers.
• The chemicals you use when straightening hair, giving perms, and coloring dyes can damage the hair or scalp and burn the eyes.
• Do you currently do a test patch to see if there are skin reactions or allergies?
• Make sure all employees and subcontractors are properly licensed and certified and that they keep up with their continuing education credits.

Inland marine exposures: Inland marine exposures come from your valuable papers and records for both your suppliers and customers. Do you provide wig and hair piece cleaning and wig straightening services? You might need a bailees' floater to cover these.

Premises liability exposure: As long as you have clients coming in and out of your shop, you have potential liabilities. To minimize these, make sure that all spills are cleaned up immediately, especially near the hair-washing sinks. Clean up all hair on the floor so no one slips and hurts themselves. Repair all cracks, holes, and frays in the floor and carpeting to prevent trips and falls. Make sure your front door, sidewalk, and parking lot are clear of ice and snow. Talk to your insurance agent if you provide tanning bed, massage, or electrolysis services. Finally, keep everything clean and sterile to avoid spreading germs and causing infections.

Product liability exposure: Do you sell shampoo, conditioners, and facial products? Let your agent know if you are selling anything that is independently produced locally.

Workers compensation exposure: Your employees can receive minor cuts and scratches from scissors and clippers. Other dangers include repeatedly using toxic chemicals that can cause skin rashes, eye irritations, and burns. Make sure employees have access to gloves that will protect them from these chemicals. Teach employees ergonomic practices to avoid repetitive stress injuries, and tell your insurance agent if you have independent subcontractors instead of employees.