The Importance of Liability Insurance for Nail Techs

As a nail technician, your skills and creativity help your clients look their best. But even the most polished nail technician can have mishaps. 

In this article, we’ll explore the most common risks that nail technicians face and why having the right insurance coverage is crucial. We’ll also review the different types of insurance for nail techs so you can make the best choices for your business. 

Understanding the Risks Nail Techs Face 

Clients step into your salon for beauty treatments and relaxation, but sometimes, nail services don’t go as planned. Protecting your business with the right insurance can help you avoid the financial and reputational impact of potential liabilities.

Here are three of the most common risks: 

• Claims of negligence 
• Allergic reactions to products 
• Unsatisfactory results 

Let’s say you apply massage lotion to your client’s legs, and she suddenly has an allergic reaction. She must leave your salon immediately to seek medical care. Even if the reaction wasn’t severe, she may insist that you pay for the costs associated with her emergency room visit. 

In this case, professional liability insurance would potentially cover those costs and any legal fees if she sues your business. 

Other common risks for nail technicians include: 

• Slips and falls in the salon
• Accidental damage to a client’s property 

Accidents happen to even the most careful business owners. With clients walking in and out of your salon daily, it’s essential to be prepared for some of the most common risks nail technicians face. 

For example, a client who just had a pedicure could slip and fall on the wet salon floor. Or a bottle of nail polish could spill onto a client’s leather purse, damaging it beyond repair. Without general liability insurance, these mishaps could turn into costly liabilities. 

Here’s another potential risk for nail techs: 

• Theft or damage to equipment

Imagine walking into your nail salon one morning to discover that your equipment has been stolen. Without your essential tools, you must cancel all your appointments, pay for new equipment, and repair any damages caused by the theft. 

With a business owner’s policy (BOP), the cost of your stolen and/or damaged property could be covered (up to your policy’s limits), allowing you to get back to business. 

Types of Liability Insurance Coverage for Nail Techs 

Risks are an inherent part of every business. Fortunately, there’s liability insurance coverage to help protect you and your clients. Having the right insurance coverage can give you peace of mind, allowing you to stay focused on your tech nail talents. 

Here are three types of insurance for nail techs:

Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance (PL) protects you from claims of negligence or mistakes by your services. 

If a client sues your business for mistakes related to your nail services, your PL policy may cover the costs you might be ordered to pay as a result of those damages, typically including legal fees.

A PL policy typically covers:

• Negligence or alleged negligence
• Legal defense costs
• Claims involving libel and/or slander
• Claims and damages

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance (GL) helps cover third-party injuries or property damage. For example, if a client slips in your salon or you accidentally damage their belongings, this policy coverage can protect you from the financial fallout, which may include medical costs, legal fees, or repairs.

Without insurance, you would have to pay those costs out-of-pocket, which could seriously impact your bottom line. 

Here’s what a GL policy typically covers: 

• Bodily injury to a person
• Third-party property damage
• Personal and advertising injury
• Medical expenses

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) 

This policy bundles general liability and property insurance together, often at a lower premium cost. It provides comprehensive protection for your nail salon and your services.

BOP insurance offers these benefits: 

• Simplicity: Make one purchase instead of multiple purchases
• Flexibility: Add or drop coverages as your needs change
• Value: It often costs less than buying all of the policies separately

How to Choose Your Insurance Coverage 

When it comes to insurance, the correct coverage is key. With Simply Business, you’re in good hands. We’ve insured 1 million-plus businesses worldwide, so we understand the unique needs of small business owners. 

We make the process fast and easy, with a business insurance quote for nail technicians that takes just 10 minutes. We partner with leading insurers to give you a range of options and help you find the coverage that suits your business and budget. Plus, our licensed agents are available by phone to answer your questions. Call us at 844-654-7272, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET).

More Tips for Nail Techs 

At Simply Business, we love helping small business owners with their insurance needs. But our support goes far beyond that. Our Resource Center is packed with valuable resources like guides, tools, tips, and articles to help professionals like you stay informed. 

Want a deeper dive into liability insurance? Check out these articles: 

• A General Liability Insurance Guide for Small Business
• What is the Best Small Business Insurance?
• What is Professional Liability Insurance? A Guide for Small Business Owners