Estheticians, sometimes also referred to as aestheticians in the European tradition, provide a wide variety of personal services for their clients. Whether you perform cosmetic procedures like makeup, facial massage, masks, peels, or medical services that use lasers and powerful acids, estheticians run a constant risk of accidents and injuries to their clients. That's why it is essential to have a comprehensive esthetician insurance policy to protect you financially.
Fortunately, an independent insurance agent can help you find all the esthetician liability insurance and other types of coverage you need for your business. They'll help you get set up with the right professional insurance for estheticians and beauty insurance coverage. But first, here's a breakdown of esthetician insurance, what it covers, and why it's necessary.
Key Takeaways - Esthetician Insurance
- Esthetician insurance protects against the cost of various risks, including lawsuits filed by injured customers, property damage, business interruptions, worker injuries, and more.
- Estheticians pay an average of $29 per month, or about $348 per year for general liability insurance alone, but the cost of a full policy will vary depending on all the types of coverage you need and other factors.
- Certain types of estheticians insurance, such as workers' comp, may be required by law in your area.
- It's strongly recommended to work with an independent insurance agent who can customize a policy to meet the needs of your unique business.
What Is Esthetician Insurance?
The definition of esthetician insurance is a special type of business insurance designed to meet the needs of professional estheticians and their companies. These policies typically consist of several types of key coverage, including general liability, commercial property, and professional liability. However, your esthetician insurance coverage may vary depending on the needs of your unique business.
Why Estheticians Need Insurance
Estheticians need the right kind of beauty professional insurance due to the high risk level of their field. Your clients may suffer from injuries or allergic reactions during their treatments, or your business may suffer from equipment damage or malfunction. An esthetician business insurance policy provides critical financial protection against lawsuits and other threats to your profits.
If you work in a hospital, doctor's office, or medical spa as a medical esthetician, you will likely need these types of coverage:
- Malpractice liability: This provides financial protection if you make a mistake that causes injury to your client during treatment and leads to a lawsuit. Because of the delicately balanced chemicals and equipment you use each day, accidents can happen. Malpractice liability pays the injured party's medical expenses, missed wages, and any damages awarded to the plaintiff. It also pays for the cost of your legal defense.
- Product liability: If an accident or injury is caused by the products you use, such as creams or waxes, you may still bear the financial burden if your client sues. Product liability covers the expenses of litigation due to faulty products.
An independent insurance agent can help ensure you get equipped with the right types of esthetician insurance to cover all of your services and exposures.
What Does Esthetician Insurance Cover?
An esthetician insurance policy should include coverage for your services, employees, business property, temporary shutdowns, and more. Look for the following types of coverage in your policy:
- General liability insurance: This covers third-party claims of bodily injury or personal property damage, such as slip-and-fall injuries.
- Professional liability insurance: Also called malpractice insurance, this covers you against the cost of third-party claims of professional errors or negligence during your services, such as a treatment accident during a chemical peel or waxing procedure that caused an injury.
- Product liability insurance: This covers the cost of lawsuits and damages due to faulty products, such as a cream that gives a customer hives.
- Commercial property insurance: This covers damage, destruction, theft, and vandalism to your business's property, equipment, and inventory.
- Workers' compensation insurance: This covers work-related injuries or illnesses to employees and provides partial wage replacement while they're out of work.
- Business interruption insurance: This covers ongoing operating expenses during temporary shutdowns due to covered perils, such as fire damage.
- Cyber liability insurance: This covers the cost of data breaches, cyberattacks, and other threats that lead to the exposure of private or sensitive data, such as credit card records.
A local independent insurance agent can help you build a complete esthetician insurance policy that includes all the esthetician liability insurance, malpractice insurance for estheticians, product liability insurance for estheticians, and other types of coverage your business needs.
Esthetician Insurance for Your Home Business
If you operate out of your home, there are many insurance options to consider. The most important step is to find the right esthetician liability insurance to protect you from malpractice suits and other litigation. But you may also need to add the following coverage:
- In-home business insurance: This can be added to your homeowners insurance as an inexpensive rider, or you can purchase separate coverage. It covers liability and property damage for any rooms you use in the home for business purposes. It can also cover cash, merchandise, and other items in your workspace, including the tools of your trade, such as tables, makeup, and skincare products. It may also provide business interruption coverage.
- Inland marine coverage: This insures your equipment and products on the road and while in storage. If you provide treatments and makeup applications at special events or in clients' homes, this coverage could save you the cost of replacing items lost to accidents, fire, or theft.
An independent insurance agent can help you add all the esthetician insurance coverage you need if you operate your business out of your home.
How Much Does Esthetician Insurance Cost?
Estheticians pay an average of $29 per month, or about $348 per year for general liability insurance alone. The cost of a full esthetician insurance policy will vary depending on the types of coverage you need. Other factors that can influence the cost of your policy include the following:
- Business size and location
- Services offered
- Coverage limits and deductibles
- Number of employees
- Annual revenue
- Claims history
Here are the average costs of many types of esthetician insurance coverage:
- General liability insurance: $29 per month/$348 per year
- Professional liability insurance: $42 per month/$504 per year
- Workers' compensation insurance: $72 per month/$864 per year
- Cyber liability insurance: $145 per month/$1,740 per year
You might be able to reduce the cost of your policy by bundling your coverage. An independent insurance agent can also help you find cheap and affordable esthetician insurance near you.
How to Choose the Right Esthetician Insurance for You
Many insurance companies provide some form of esthetician liability insurance, property coverage, or business insurance. An independent insurance agent has access to several of the top esthetician insurance companies and will work for you to find customized coverage at a rate that fits your budget.
Your agent can help you evaluate your unique business's coverage needs before selecting the right policy. They'll consider whether you need coverage for independent estheticians or salon employees and how much liability protection is necessary, depending on the services you provide. In the end, they'll ensure you get set up with the best esthetician insurance for your business.
Here's How an Independent Insurance Agent Can Help
When you're ready to find the right coverage for your esthetician business, whether you're a freelancer, salon employee, or company owner, no one's better equipped to help than a local independent insurance agent. These agents have access to several esthetician insurance companies, so they're free to shop and compare policy options and quotes for you to find the best rate. And down the road, your agent will still be there to help you file business insurance claims or update your coverage when necessary.
FAQs About Esthetician Insurance
What insurance do estheticians need the most?
Estheticians need professional liability insurance, or malpractice insurance, to protect them against professional mistakes, errors, negligence, or omissions during their services. This coverage can protect them against client lawsuits and the cost of damages to the injured party.
Is esthetician insurance required by law?
No, esthetician insurance as a whole isn't typically required by law. However, certain types of coverage, such as workers' compensation, may be mandatory by law in your state, especially if your business has employees.
Does my salon’s insurance cover me as an esthetician?
Your salon's insurance policy might provide some coverage for you as an esthetician, but you might also need your own additional coverage, such as professional liability. Ask an independent insurance agent to help you evaluate your coverage needs.
How much does esthetician liability insurance cost?
Professional liability insurance for estheticians averages $42 per month or $504 per year. However, the cost of your coverage may vary depending on your location and other factors.
Can student estheticians get insurance?
Coverage for student estheticians may be available or even required in your area before you can work on the public. Ask an independent insurance agent to help you get covered.
Does esthetician insurance cover mobile or home-based services?
Yes, esthetician insurance can be customized to cover mobile or home-based services. An independent insurance agent can help you design your policy to cover your specific services and location.
What happens if a client sues me without insurance?
Without the right coverage, you'd have to pay for the cost of the lawsuit, as well as the client's damages, out of your own pocket. This could lead to serious financial losses or even bankruptcy for your business.
Sources
https://www.insureon.com/personal-care-business-insurance/estheticians/cost
