Why is freelance hairstylist insurance important?
As a freelance hairstylist, you have no safety of being an employee and all the risks inherent in your profession are yours. Without suitable freelance hairstylist insurance, you leave yourself exposed to claims that could seriously impact your financial health.
Causing damage to your client’s property
The scenarios why you might be asked to pay damages is endless - burn damage to expensive carpets, accidentally broken possessions or forgetting to close the door behind you letting a much loved pet out.
Contributing to your client’s accidental injury
As a freelance hairdresser, you may often work in your clients’ homes. Even though it’s their property, you may still be blamed for a trip or fall. Perhaps because your tools were in the way or you spilt something on the floor that caused a nasty slip.
Your treatment caused a health issue
The hair treatment that you applied could be at the centre of a claim against you. A client who experienced a health issue shortly after your services may put it down to something you used and they may demand that you compensate them.
Receiving unfair chargebacks
Sometimes freelance hairstylists get paid after they provide their services. It’s not unheard of that a wedding hairstylist had to wait for months for an invoice to be settled. This is usually the case when the amount is quite substantial and in those situations you may need help to fight it.
Public liability insurance for freelance hairstylists
Public liability insurance protects freelance hairstylists against a variety of accusations stemming from accidents, injuries and property damage that may happen during the course of their work.
Freelance hairstylists work closely with their clients in a variety of settings - the clients homes, venues or salons.
A lot can happen when you don’t have a full control over your environment and yet you could be blamed for an accident. Public liability for freelance hairstylists can be a very useful legal shield.
What does freelance hairstylist public liability insurance cover?
Suppose a client makes a claim against you for causing an accidental injury or property damage or loss. In that case, your public liability insurance will provide legal defence and pay compensation if you become liable.
Cover includes:
- accidental injury or death
- accidental property damage
For example:
- Your client claims that the stain on their expensive clothing was caused by you or the product you used. The client is now asking you to pay for the damage.
- Some days, possibly weeks, later after you provided your services you received a legal demand to pay medical costs to a client who claims your treatment caused them ill health.
What public liability insurance limit do freelance hairstylists need?
Most insurance providers offer coverage from £1,000,000 to £5,000,000. Suited starts at £500,000 up to £2,000,000. The level of cover you select should take into consideration your work settings and the type of clients.
Professional indemnity insurance for freelance hairstylists
Professional indemnity insurance, also know as malpractice insurance for hairstylists, protects you from claims or accusations of providing the wrong or even harmful treatment.
Professional indemnity insurance is often overlooked by freelance hairstylists but it is an essential cover which will have your back if you receive an unhappy email, phone call or text threatening to sue you or demanding financial remedy.
Your insurers will appoint the appropriate legal aid to review your situation and advise you on what to do next.
What does professional indemnity insurance for hairstylists cover?
Professional indemnity insurance will take over all communication between you and the client following a legal claim against your professional conduct. It will also pay compensation if you are found liable.
Cover includes:
- Failing your duty of care
- Making a mistake
- Acting negligently
- Giving the wrong advice or recommendation
For example, you may be facing financial demands from a client because:
- A client accuses you of ruining their hair, demanding monetary compensation.
- A client insists that the allergic reaction they suffered was caused by the products you used, and you are being asked to pay all the costs.
What professional indemnity limit do hairstylists need?
The professional indemnity limit you need will reflect your particular freelance hairstyling activities. When choosing a limit, consider what treatments you provide and to whom. For example, if you work with people for whom public image is a way of making a living, a possible claim against you could be costly.
Should I keep professional indemnity insurance if I pause or retire from freelance hairstyling?
It’s wise to keep your professional indemnity if you stop your freelance hairstyling activities. Claims against you can surface weeks or months after you delivered your treatment, and if you have cancelled your policy, you won’t be covered.
Other useful insurance for freelance hairstylists
Other insurance you may need as a freelance hairstylist will depend on your circumstances. Could you afford a legal dispute? How would you deal with a tax issue?
Commercial legal expenses insurance
Most commercial legal expenses insurance will protect you against various tax and legal issues you may encounter due to your profession, which are not picked up by professional indemnity or public liability. It can also help with unpaid invoices.
At Suited, we combined £100,000 of commercial legal expenses insurance with helplines and other tools to better assist you in dealing with these issues, and it’s part of your subscription.
Commercial Legal Expenses provides qualified advice and assistance with:
- Legal and tax matters concerning your business
- Criminal prosecution
- Compliance & regulation issues
- Unpaid invoices (over £200)
For example:
- HMRC investigates your tax affairs
- You need legal help chasing a significant unpaid invoice
- You’ve suffered a chargeback of a large amount and wish to take legal action
- You’re in a contract dispute with a salon
Shopping for freelance hairstylist liability insurance
Whether or not you decide to use Suited hairdressing insurance to protect your business, it’s worth keeping the following in mind:
Low hairstylist insurance cost isn’t everything
Some providers offer rock-bottom prices, but after-sales service could be lacklustre. Check how easy it is to get in contact with your insurance provider. At Suited, we offer several options and answer quickly.
The reputation of the insurer is important
Insurance needs to be there when you need it most. The payout reputation of an insurer is essential. Suited uses financially sound insurers with an A+ rating.
Many providers charge fees to amend or cancel
Low initial prices often hide additional charges to pay monthly, amend or cancel your policy. At Suited, we charge no extra fees, and you can cancel anytime with no more to pay.
Some policy wordings are restrictive or have a high excess
Some providers will offer attractive prices, but it is at the expense of cover given. Suited professional indemnity and public liability have £0 excess.
