Salon and barber shop insurance.

The distinction that matters most in a salon is between harm caused by the premises and harm caused by the service. General liability handles the first. Professional liability, sometimes called malpractice cover in this trade, handles the second — a reaction to a product, a burn from a chemical treatment, damage from a heat tool. Buying only the first is the most common mistake in the sector.

Professional liability is the one that gets used

Colour corrections gone wrong, allergic reactions, chemical burns and heat damage are claims about the work performed, not about the condition of the floor. They fall outside general liability and need professional liability cover written for beauty services.

Patch testing, consultation records and consent forms genuinely help here. They are the evidence that a reasonable process was followed, and they matter at claim time far more than most owners expect.

Booth renters and who is covered by what

Where stylists rent chairs rather than being employed, the salon policy does not automatically extend to their work. Each booth renter generally needs their own professional liability, and the salon should hold certificates confirming it.

This cuts both ways. Without it, a claim against a renter can be directed at the salon as the visible business, and the salon's own policy may exclude work performed by someone it does not employ.