Hairdresser cutting long hair with scissors in a salon, focusing on the hands and hair, with a blurred background.
Hairdresser cutting long hair with scissors in a salon, focusing on the hands and hair, with a blurred background.

Hair & beauty insurance

Compare hairdressing, beauty salon and mobile insurance from leading UK insurers.

What is hair and beauty insurance?

Hair and beauty insurance covers the specific risks of working with clients, treatments and equipment. It protects you if something goes wrong, from allergic reactions and treatment injuries to slips in a salon or theft of tools on the go.

It’s relevant whether you own a hair salon or beauty salon, run a barber shop, work as a mobile hairdresser, operate as a freelance beauty therapist, or rent a chair in someone else’s premises.

With Premierline, it is easy to compare quotes from leading UK insurers and build a policy that fits your working needs. Your cover can include a combination of the following:

Public liability insurance

Covers claims if a client or visitor is injured or their property is damaged during an appointment, whether at your salon or their home.

Employers’ liability insurance

A legal requirement if you employ staff; across stylists, apprentices and receptionists.

Treatment risk insurance

Protects you if a treatment causes a reaction, injury or damage. This may include; allergic reaction to dye, burns from tools or a skin reaction to a beauty treatment.

Contents & equipment insurance

Protects salon furniture, styling tools, retail stock and business contents against theft, fire, flood and other insured events. Portable equipment cover is available for mobile professionals.

Product liability insurance

Covers claims if a product you sell or use during a treatment causes injury or damage. Relevant if you sell haircare, skincare or beauty products.

Business interruption insurance

Covers lost income and ongoing costs if your salon can’t trade due to an insured event like fire or flood.

Who needs hair and beauty insurance?

Hair and beauty insurance is for anyone who provides styling, grooming or personal care services – whether you own a salon, work on a mobile basis, rent a chair or operate as a freelance professional.

Salon owners, including hair salons, beauty salons and barber shops typically need a combination of liability, property and business interruption cover. Mobile hairdressers and freelance beauty therapists face additional risks around transporting equipment and working across multiple locations. Nail technicians and tanning salon operators have specific treatment-related exposures that require tailored cover.

If you rent a chair, the salon’s policy is unlikely to cover you – therefore arranging your own insurance will be essential.

Insurance for hair and beauty businesses

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Barber & hairdressing insurance

Cover for hair salons, barber shops and hairdressing businesses. Protects against treatment liability, client injuries, employee claims and premises damage.

See barber & hairdressing insurance
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Beauty therapist insurance

Insurance for salon-based, mobile and freelance beauty therapists. Covers treatment liability, client injuries, equipment and business interruption.

View beauty therapist insurance
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Mobile hairdressing insurance

Designed for hairdressers and barbers who work at clients’ homes, events or rented chairs. Covers public liability, treatment risks and portable equipment.

View mobile hairdressing insurance
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Nail technician insurance

Cover for nail salons and mobile nail technicians. Addresses the specific risks of working with chemicals, UV lamps and close contact treatments.

Explore nail technician insurance
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Tanning salon insurance

Specialist cover for sunbed and spray tan businesses. Protects against equipment claims, treatment reactions and salon premises risks.

Explore tanning salon insurance

Common risks for hair and beauty professionals

  • Treatment injuries and reactions – allergic reactions, chemical burns, skin reactions and damage from hot tools can all lead to claims, even when proper procedures are followed.
  • Client accidents – slips, trips and falls in salon environments are a common source of public liability claims. Wet floors, loose cables and product spills are typical causes.
  • Equipment theft – a particular risk for mobile professionals transporting tools between locations.
  • Product liability – claims can arise if a product you sell or use during a treatment causes a reaction or injury.
  • Staff claims – injuries from handling chemicals, repetitive strain and workplace accidents are covered under employers’ liability insurance.

Can’t see your trade?

We cover a wide range of hair and beauty professionals, from specialist treatments to mobile and freelance trades. If you don’t see your business above, get in touch and we’ll help you find the right cover.

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Compare salon quotes

Run a hair salon, beauty salon or barber shop? Compare quotes from leading insurers in minutes.

Start a salon quote
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Get a mobile or freelance quote

Mobile hairdresser, freelance beautician or chair renter? Compare cover tailored to how you work.

Start a freelance quote
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Call: 0333 320 6009

We answer calls within 90 seconds on average. Mon–Fri 9am–5pm.

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Hair & beauty insurance FAQs

At a minimum, most hair and beauty professionals need public liability insurance and, if you employ staff, employers’ liability insurance.

Depending on what you offer, your policy may also include treatment risk cover, professional indemnity, equipment and stock insurance, or premises insurance if you own your salon.

The right combination depends on your setup and exposures; whether you are salon-based, mobile or freelance and the treatments you provide. Our brokers can help you work out what you need.

The cost of hair and beauty insurance depends on the type of business you run, the treatments you offer, the number of staff you employ and the level of cover you choose. A freelance professional with basic liability cover will typically pay less than a salon owner who needs premises, contents and employer cover.

Comparing quotes is the quickest way to find cover that fits your budget.

Public liability insurance and treatment risk cover are typically the starting point. Public liability protects you if a client is injured or their property is damaged. Treatment risk cover protects you against claims from a treatment going wrong.

You may also need product liability insurance, portable equipment cover, and insurance for your stock. If you rent a chair, the salon’s policy won’t usually cover you — so your own insurance is essential.

Salon insurance covers businesses that operate from fixed premises. This typically includes the building, contents, equipment and employer/public liability. Mobile hairdressing insurance is designed for professionals who travel to clients, focusing on portable equipment cover, public liability across varying locations and treatment risk.

Both can include treatment liability and product liability, but the property and premises elements are different. You can explore salon options through our barber and hairdressing insurance page, or mobile cover through mobile hairdressing insurance.

Yes. If you rent a chair, you’re operating as a self-employed professional and the salon’s insurance won’t usually cover your work. You’ll need your own public liability insurance at a minimum, and treatment risk cover is strongly recommended. Many salons require proof of insurance as a condition of your rental agreement.

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    Why choose us to arrange your hair & beauty insurance

    • Award winning service

      We're trusted by thousands of SMEs across the UK

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      We can help with all your commercial insurance needs

    • UK based experts

      Located in Lancaster, our advisors are here to help

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Compare hair & beauty insurance quotes

Compare hair and beauty insurance quotes online in minutes or speak to one of our specialist advisors if you’re not sure what cover you need.

Our team has years of experience working with hairdressers, salon owners, beauty therapists and mobile professionals every day. We are here to help you protect your business with confidence.

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Compare shop/salon quotes

If you run a shop or a salon and know the covers you require, it’s quick & easy to compare quotes from a selection of insurers on our website.

Start a shop or salon quote
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Get a self-employed quote

If you run a mobile business without a shop or rent a chair in a shop or a salon, it’s also quick & easy to compare contractor quotes on our website.

Start a freelance quote
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Call: 0333 320 6009

Our advisors are just a phone call away. On average, we answer calls within 90 seconds. Lines open Monday to Friday 9:00am–5:00pm

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