If you run any kind of business, then you may have a legal obligation to get certain kinds of insurance. If you employ any staff, for example, then by law you need employer’s liability insurance. This will cover your staff for any accidents and injuries they may sustain on the job.

Beyond this, as a hairdresser you will face many risks in your line of work: A fire or a flood could prevent you from opening your salon, or you could lose or accidentally damage your valuable equipment. In these cases, hairdressers insurance could give you the cover you need to bounce back.

Hairdresser insurance can also cover you and your customers for any slips, trips, or falls that may occur on your premises. And if you do home visits, you will also be covered for any accidental damage to your customers’ property while you are in their home.

• Public liability insurance
  To cover you for legal fees and compensation costs should a client get injured or you inadvertently damage their property.
• Employer’s liability insurance
  A legal obligation if you have employees, this covers you if your employee suffers injury or ill health as a result of your work.
• Personal injury cover
  To cover you should you become injured or unwell and be unable to work.
• Buildings cover
  This is to cover your work premises, whether it’s a salon or your home.
• Business interruption insurance
  To cover your lost income or expenses to resume operations should your business have had to unexpectedly close.
• Contents cover, for your equipment, along with any furniture, fixtures, and fittings
  This is to cover the items within your business premises, including your equipment.
• Treatment risks cover
  To protect you against claims of injury, illness or allergic reactions caused by your treatments. Hair dye, for example can cause serious allergic reactions in some clients.

Yes, all hairdressers should consider public liability insurance. If a customer trips on a wire, or slips on some loose hair while visiting your premises, then public liability insurance can cover any compensation they may be due, as well as any legal fees that may arise in the result of a dispute.

If you are a mobile or freelance hairdresser, your public liability insurance can cover you for any accidental damage you may cause during a home visit. This can range from spilling a cup of coffee on a customer’s carpet, to accidentally scorching their furniture with unattended hair straighteners.

Your hairdressers insurance can also cover your equipment when you are on the road, or visiting a customer. And if you are a freelance hairdresser who rents a chair in another salon or barbershop, you can get cover for any equipment you leave on the premises.