Estheticians, you enjoy a rewarding career. Whether you work at a salon, rent a space, or work out of your home, you help clients look and feel their best.
But no matter where you work or the training you’ve done, when you consider all the things estheticians do, you still face risks each day.
We’ve put together this guide to esthetician insurance, so you can understand why the right coverage is essential and how you can get it. You’re well-versed in everything from skincare to sugaring, and soon – in about 5 minutes of reading time – you’ll also be confident in your esthetician insurance knowledge, too.
Let’s go!
Why Estheticians Need Insurance
Protection From Lawsuits
Working as an esthetician means you have skin in the game. Adverse reactions to facial dermabrasion, chemical peel burns, and equipment malfunctions resulting in client injury can all spur lawsuits.
If you’re found liable or you end up settling your case, the associated costs can be debilitating to your business. Can you afford to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars over a case? Even if you aren’t found liable, attorney fees are expensive, too – with some per-hour retainer fees as high as $400.
But if you have esthetician insurance, these costs can be covered, ensuring you stay in business.
Equipment Replacement
Think about how much money you’ve invested in the equipment you use for work. If your business personal property were to be damaged or stolen, a specific insurance called “tools and supplies coverage” can pay to get these things replaced.
Imagine someone breaks into your salon space and makes off with your facial bed. Rather than putting your clients on hold, you can file a claim, get a new facial bed, and get back to doing what you love.
Your Professional Image
You’ve put in the work to become an esthetician, so you should be able to reap the benefits of that work. Being able to display in your place of business or on your website that you’re insured can go a long way in establishing a professional image as you present yourself to clients.
Just as your educational or training qualifications set you apart as a pro, your insurance badge will convey this, as well. It signals that you’re committed to keeping everyone safe – and that you’re worth booking!
Peace of Mind
The biggest reason you need esthetician insurance is the peace of mind it provides. Instead of worrying about risks that could cost you big money, you’re able to focus on giving your absolute best service to your clients.
Esthetician insurance enables you to work confidently, knowing you’re covered for when things go wrong.
Common Risks Estheticians Face
Beauty & Bodywork Insurance (BBI) provides coverage for modalities like facials, wax hair removal, microdermabrasion, and spray tanning in its esthetician insurance policy. The most common risks associated with these services are:
- Allergic reactions
- Chemical burns
- Skin infections
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Client dissatisfaction
- Injuries due to faulty equipment
For example, your client could be allergic to the ingredients in a chemical peel – without them or you knowing. Or, during a routine wax hair removal, you might accidentally burn your client’s skin if the wax warmer malfunctions.
Even if it’s not your fault, you can be held responsible for injuring your client. Without insurance, you’d have to pay for these expenses on your own.
Lawsuits, medical bills, and other fees add up quickly. Having esthetician insurance is a smart choice – no one wants to pay out-of-pocket when risks become reality. Learn more about how to avoid risks as an esthetician.
Real Esthetician Claims Examples
Allergic Reaction - $5,000
Brazilian Wax - $25,000
Hyperpigmentation - $99,565
*Examples are based on real BBI claims. Names and details have been invented.
Esthetician Insurance From BBI
You have a lot on your mind — from getting and maintaining clients to advertising your business and having supplies on hand. Insurance doesn’t have to add to your mental workload.
That’s why BBI has simplified esthetician insurance. Our coverage is affordable, top-rated, and already trusted by over 63,000 beauty professionals, including estheticians just like you. Your policy with BBI includes:
General and Professional Liability Insurance
Coverage Limit for the Policy Year: $3M
General liability insurance protects your business from costs associated with third-party bodily injury and property damage claims. For example, if a client slips and falls in your space and sprains their ankle, this coverage can cover the costs of your client’s medical bills and other expenses.
Professional liability insurance covers claims arising from the professional services you provide. This includes any professional mistakes, advice that leads to injury, and even clients who are unhappy with your work. Say a client alleges your recommended chemical peel causes facial scarring. This coverage would kick in if they decide to sue you.
Products and Completed Operations Coverage
Coverage Limit for the Policy Year: $3M
This part of the policy covers any liability that arises due to the products you use or the completed services you provide. For instance, if a client experiences an issue from a treatment after they’ve left your salon, this coverage can protect you from related claims.
Personal and Advertising Injury Coverage
Coverage Limit (Included)
Personal injury coverage includes protection against claims of libel, slander, or invasion of privacy. Advertising injury coverage is for claims related to advertising mistakes or copyright infringement. Think of these two coverages as your shield against non-physical damages.
Fire Legal Liability Insurance
Coverage Limit for the Policy Year: $3M
If you run your esthetics business out of a rented space, fire legal liability insurance can cover costs for accidental damage made to the rental property.
Optional Add-Ons
BBI’s base esthetician policy comes with all of the coverages listed above, but we also offer optional add-ons. Customize your policy based on what your business needs.
Choose from:
- Multiple tools and supplies coverage tiers for your movable business property.
- Additional insureds to extend your coverage to landlords, salon or spa owners, etc.
- Cyber liability insurance to cover your business in case of cyber attacks.
Or get additional coverage for services like:
- Cupping
- Microcurrent
- Acupuncture
- Fitness training
All of these optional add-ons are available right in your policy application or from your user dashboard after your initial purchase.
The Cost of Esthetician Insurance
Esthetician insurance from BBI starts at just $9.99/month – or save with an annual payment of just $96/year. Because we specialize solely in insuring beauty and bodywork professionals, we’re able to offer you one of the most affordable policies on the market, while providing the industry-preferred coverage you expect.
The price of your individual policy will be determined by the optional add-ons you choose, as well as your selected payment cadence – choose monthly or yearly!
How to Purchase Esthetician Insurance
With BBI, getting covered for your esthetician business only takes a few minutes. All you have to do is start your online application.
Follow the step-by-step prompts, enter your information, and check out. You’ll be instantly covered. Yes, it’s that simple!
You’ll then get access to your online user dashboard where you can manage your policy 24/7.
Glow On
Now you know everything you need to know about esthetician insurance – congrats!
You might also like: Esthetician Instagram Marketing or Esthetician Tips to Try.
Common Questions We Get From Estheticians
Yes, you need esthetician insurance whether you work from home or as a mobile esthetician. Insurance protects you from potential liabilities, regardless of your work location. BBI’s esthetician insurance covers you wherever you go!
(Please note BBI is not currently for sale in Missouri.)
You can reduce the amount you pay for esthetician insurance by paying only for the coverages you need. BBI makes this easy: our customizable policy offers comprehensive general and professional liability coverage with options for add-ons.
You can also save nearly 20% on your BBI policy by choosing to pay once for the whole year versus paying monthly.
JoAnne Hammer | Program Manager
JoAnne Hammer is the Program Manager for Beauty and Bodywork Insurance. She has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since July 2004.
JoAnne understands that starting and operating a business takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and financial resources. She believes that insurance is the single best way to protect your investment, business, and personal assets.
JoAnne Hammer is the Program Manager for Beauty and Bodywork Insurance. She has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since July 2004.
JoAnne understands that starting and operating a business takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and financial resources. She believes that insurance is the single best way to protect your investment, business, and personal assets.
