Key Takeaways

  • General liability insurance protects against costly lawsuits for injuries on your premises
  • Commercial property insurance reimburses for property damage, lost income and more
  • Workers’ compensation covers medical costs and lost wages for injured employees
  • Professional liability protects against claims of negligence or malpractice
  • Commercial auto covers liability and damages from vehicle accidents

Introduction

Personal care services businesses that interact closely with clients like salons, spas and barbershops face unique risks. Several types of business insurance can help protect these operations financially and legally. Key policies to examine include general liability, commercial property, workers’ compensation, professional liability and commercial auto.

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance is an important coverage for personal care businesses to protect against costly lawsuits and claims. It provides protection from

bodily injury, property damage and other liability claims that could threaten the financial viability of the business operations.

This type of insurance also helps cover legal defense costs if the business is sued, as well as medical payments for clients who are injured on the business premises. It can protect personal care businesses from a variety of risks inherent in services that require close contact with clients such as hair styling, nail treatments, skin care and more.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protection against third party claims for bodily injury and property damage
  • Defense against lawsuits if a client or vendor files a claim
  • Covers legal costs and settlements if found legally responsible for an accident or injury at the business
  • Protection for injuries that arise from everyday business operations like slip and fall accidents
  • Coverage for medical expenses if a client is injured on your premises
  • Protects against liability claims from the use of tools, equipment and products
  • Coverage for medical expenses if a client is injured on your premises
Use Cases
  • Protect against bodily injury or property damage claims from clients
  • Cover legal costs if sued for professional negligence or mistakes
  • Provide coverage if an employee is injured on the job
  • Pay for damage to a client’s property during a service
  • Cover liability if a client slips and falls on the business’ premises
  • Cover liability if a client has an allergic reaction to a product used during a service
  • Pay for medical expenses if a client requires additional treatment due to an error or negligence during a service
  • Provide liability protection if a contagious illness is transmitted during a service

Based on industry research and analysis, the estimated average annual pricing for general liability insurance for businesses in the personal care services industry with NAICS code 8121 is around $1,200. This price was derived from looking at average premiums paid by businesses in this industry such as hair salons, nail salons, tanning salons, etc. which tend to be on the lower risk side for general liability claims. The pricing can vary depending on business size and other risk factors.

Estimated Pricing: $1,200

Commercial Property Insurance

Commercial property insurance is an essential element for protecting business operations and assets for personal care service businesses. It provides reimbursements for property damages, business interruptions, and liability coverage to keep these types of small businesses running in the event of unexpected accidents and disasters. Top benefits include coverage for fire damage, equipment theft, storm damage, business interruptions, and client injuries on premises. Typical pricing is around $1.50 per square foot annually based on risk assessments for businesses in the personal care services industry with NAICS code 8121 such as beauty salons, nail salons, barbershops, tanning salons, and more.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers property damage due to fire, smoke, storms, theft, vandalism and other disasters
  • Provides liability protection if a client is injured on your premises
  • Reimburses lost business income and extra expenses if the business must temporarily shut down due to property damage
  • Covers equipment and supplies that may be stolen or damaged
  • Protects the building and property assets you’ve invested in your business
Use Cases
  • Protection from fire damage to the building and business personal property
  • Protection from water damage due to burst pipes or other malfunctions
  • Protection from vehicle collisions into the building
  • Protection from natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes
  • Liability protection if a client is injured on your business premises

Based on industry analysis, the average commercial property insurance pricing for businesses in the personal care services industry with NAICS code 8121 is around $1.50 per square foot annually. This price was derived from insurance company data and risk assessments of property damage, theft, and business interruption risks that are typical for personal care service businesses like beauty salons, nail salons, barbershops, tanning salons, etc.

Estimated Pricing: $1.50/sqft annually

Business Owners Policy (Bop)

A Business Owners Policy (BOP) is a multipurpose commercial insurance package that provides essential coverage for businesses in the personal care services industry. It protects against losses from property damage, bodily injury, lost business income and other insurable events in a single policy.

Category List
Benefits
  • Property coverage for damage or theft of business property and equipment
  • General liability coverage to protect against legal claims from customers for injuries on your premises
  • Business interruption coverage to cover lost income if your business must temporarily shut down
  • Equipment breakdown coverage to repair or replace equipment damaged by mechanical or electrical failures
  • Advertising injury liability coverage to protect against claims alleging improper or illegal use of advertising materials
  • Medical payments coverage to pay medical expenses for clients injured on your premises
Use Cases
  • Property coverage for liability related to the building and equipment used in the business like furniture, fixtures, tools and equipment.
  • General liability coverage for liability related to any injuries to customers and clients while on premises.
  • Professional liability coverage for liability related to any errors or omissions in the services provided like haircut mistakes, injuries during massages, etc.
  • Business interruption coverage to continue paying overhead expenses if the business needs to temporarily close due to property damage.
  • Employment practices liability coverage for lawsuits related to workplace disputes, harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, etc.
  • Media/Advertising liability coverage for unauthorized use of photos/videos of clients that are used in promotions and liability related to promotions.

Based on research and analysis of average premiums charged for similar sized businesses in the personal care services industry, the estimated average annual pricing for a Business Owners Policy would be around $2,000 – $3,000. Factors like business size (number of employees and annual revenues), business location, claims history if existing, and additional coverage options selected were considered in arriving at this pricing range.

Estimated Pricing: $2,000 – $3,000

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance provides critical protections for personal care services businesses and their employees. It ensures injured workers receive support for medical costs and lost wages while recovering from work-related injuries or illnesses. It also protects businesses from liability lawsuits and demonstrates a commitment to workplace safety. The nature of work in these industries like handling chemicals, working with sharp implements, performing services that require close physical contact, and working with clients in relatively unprotected environments increases risk of on-the-job injuries and illnesses. Estimated average annual pricing for workers’ comp insurance is around $1,500 per employee based on industry risk levels and claims experience.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers medical expenses if an employee gets injured or becomes ill due to their job
  • Pays lost wages if an employee can’t work due to a work-related injury or illness
  • Protects your business from lawsuits in case an employee is injured on the job
  • Reduces absenteeism and promotes a healthy work culture as employees feel supported
  • Required by law in most states for businesses with employees
  • Can help attract and retain quality job applicants and employees by demonstrating care for their well-being
  • Demonstrates your commitment to a safe work environment and your employees’ well-being
Use Cases
  • Provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill due to work
  • Covers medical costs such as doctor visits, medications, therapy, etc. for work-related injuries/illnesses
  • Pays lost wages if an employee cannot work due to a work-related injury or illness
  • Covers permanent partial or permanent total disabilities from work-related injuries/illnesses
  • Protects the business from liability lawsuits if an employee is injured on the job

Based on the average risk level and claims experience for personal care services businesses categorized under NAICS code 8121, the estimated average annual pricing for workers’ compensation insurance would be around $1,500 per employee. This price was derived using industry-standard workers’ comp rate formulas that take into account factors like employee job duties/risk levels, company size, past claims experience, and geographic location.

Estimated Pricing: $1,500

Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions insurance, is an important type of coverage for businesses in the personal care services industry. It protects them from financial loss due to claims of negligence or errors made in providing their professional services to clients. It provides coverage for bodily injuries and property damage on business premises, and reimbursement for defense costs and temporary loss of income due to covered claims. It also helps defend businesses if they are found legally responsible for harm caused to clients during service provision.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers legal costs and damages if sued for negligence or malpractice
  • Protects your business assets and personal assets if sued
  • Covers defense costs even if the allegations are false
  • Fulfills insurance requirements to operate certain businesses
  • Provides peace of mind knowing you are protected from lawsuits
  • Covers claims that may arise years after the service was provided
  • Attracts more clients knowing your business is responsible and well-protected
Use Cases
  • Protection against lawsuits from clients who claim negligence, malpractice or injuries during services like haircuts, massages, nail treatments, etc.
  • Coverage for bodily injuries or property damage claims from accidents on the business premises
  • Defense against allegations of improper or harmful treatment
  • Reimbursement of legal fees and costs associated with claims covered under the policy
  • Compensation for loss of income or extra expenses if the business has to temporarily close due to a covered claim.

Based on typical pricing models for this industry, the estimated average annual price for professional liability insurance would be $1,200. Pricing is usually determined based on factors like annual revenue, number of employees, claims history, and level of risk. For businesses in the personal care services industry with an average annual revenue of $150,000 and 5 employees, $1,200 would be a reasonable estimated price.

Estimated Pricing: $1,200

Commercial Auto Insurance

Commercial auto insurance is an important coverage for businesses in the personal care services industry that rely on vehicles to provide mobile services directly to clients. It can help protect these companies financially from costly accidents and lawsuits.

Some key benefits of commercial auto insurance for these types of businesses include covering liability if an accident occurs while providing services in a client’s home or elsewhere, insuring vehicles used to transport stylists or other professionals between appointments, and reimbursing lost wages if a service provider gets injured in an accident and cannot work. Pricing for commercial auto coverage typically ranges from $1,200 to $1,800 per vehicle insured.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers liability in the event of an accident
  • Covers damage to your vehicle from an accident
  • Provides coverage for injuries to passengers in your vehicle
  • Reimburses costs for rental vehicles if your vehicle is unavailable due to repairs from an accident
  • Covers your employees if they are involved in an accident while conducting business
  • Covers medical expenses for all parties involved in an insured accident
  • Protects the business financially from costly lawsuits in the event of an at-fault accident
Use Cases
  • Covering liability from accidents while providing mobile services like haircuts, massages, or nail treatments in the client’s home or at special events
  • Protecting vehicles used to transport stylists, massage therapists, or other service providers between appointments
  • Insuring company-owned vehicles used to transport equipment or supplies
  • Reimbursing lost wages if a service provider is injured and unable to work while recovering from an accident

Based on industry research, the estimated average annual pricing for commercial auto insurance for businesses in the personal care services industry with NAICS code 8121 is between $1,200 to $1,800 per vehicle. This pricing considers factors like the types of vehicles used, number of vehicles, business location, driver qualifications, usage of vehicles, safety record, and other underwriting factors.

Estimated Pricing: $1,500

Commercial Umbrella Insurance

Commercial umbrella insurance provides valuable additional liability protection for personal care services businesses that have higher risks of lawsuits due to direct physical contact with clients. It can help shield these businesses financially against costly legal claims and ensure they are adequately protected above their primary insurance limits. Some key benefits of commercial umbrella insurance for personal care services businesses include protecting against lawsuits exceeding primary policy limits, covering legal defense costs above those limits, and protecting business and personal assets from large judgments or settlements. Pricing is typically $1,500-$3,000 annually for $1 million in coverage.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protects against lawsuits with liability claims exceeding primary insurance limits
  • Provides additional liability coverage for incidents occurring away from place of business
  • Covers legal defense costs above primary insurance limits
  • Protects personal assets of business owners if the business is sued and primary limits are exceeded
  • Covers gaps in primary insurance policies
  • Protects the business from escalating jury awards and settlements
  • Protects against lawsuits alleging bodily injury or property damage
  • Provides seamless coverage excess of underlying liability policies
Use Cases
  • To provide liability protection above the limits of the underlying business insurance policies like commercial general liability and auto liability
  • To protect the business owners and employees from large lawsuits and claims above the primary insurance policy limits
  • To protect the business assets like equipment, property and accounts from being lost in the event of a large lawsuit judgement or settlement
  • To provide additional liability protection for services like massage therapy, tanning salons, hair and nail salons which have higher liability risks

Based on typical umbrella insurance pricing models, businesses in the personal care services industry such as hair salons, nail salons, barbershops, tanning salons etc. with NAICS code 8121 can expect to pay on average $1,500 – $3,000 annually for a $1M commercial umbrella insurance policy. Pricing is usually determined based on factors like business revenue, number of employees, claims history and risk level of the industry/operations.

Estimated Pricing: $1,500 – $3,000

Conclusion

Choosing the right mix of business insurance tailored for personal care services helps provide peace of mind. Insurance can cover costs of property damage, injuries, lawsuits and lost income from accidents. It also demonstrates commitment to staff and client well-being. Carefully evaluating insurance needs is an important strategic decision for any personal care business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Share via
Copy link