Why is self-employed mobile hairdresser insurance important?
As a self-employed mobile hairdresser, you carry all the risks inherent in your profession. Without suitable freelance hairdressing 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 the close the door behind you letting a much loved pet out.
Contributing to your client’s accidental injury
As a mobile hairdresser you find yourself inside your clients’ homes. However, you may still be blamed for a trip or fall. Perhaps because your bag was in the wrong place or you spilt something on the floor that caused a nasty slip.
Your treatment caused a health issue
Sometimes clients perceive hair treatment to be the root cause of their health issue - such as an allergic reaction or loss of hair - and they may demand that you compensate them.
Receiving unfair chargebacks
Sometimes mobile hairdressers find that after a few days their bank refunded a client who claims that your services weren’t good enough or received at all. 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 mobile hairdressers
Public liability insurance protects mobile hairdressers against a variety of accusations stemming from accidents, injuries and property damage that may happen during the course of their work.
Mobile hairdressers have very personal contact with their clients, their homes, possessions and sometimes other members of the client’s family.
A lot can happen when you work inside your clients’ homes and public liability for mobile hairdressers can be a very useful shield if you’re accused of causing an accident or damage.
What does mobile hairdresser public liability insurance cover?
Suppose someone makes a claim against you for causing an accidental injury or property damage or loss. In that case, 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’s unexpected move caused your hand to slip and you cut your client. The client is now asking you pay their medical bills.
- A damage to the floor where you happen to be doing your client’s hair is blamed on you and you’re being asked to pay for the cost of repair.
- You’re being asked to pay for the cost of retiling the bathroom and changing the wash basin because allegedly, while washing your tools, you caused stains and discolouration.
What public liability insurance limit do mobile hairdressers 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 how you work - the tools you use, the type of client homes you visit, your exposure to your clients’ surroundings and any contact with other members of the client households.
Professional indemnity insurance for mobile hairdressers
Professional indemnity insurance protects hairdressers from claims or accusations of providing the wrong or even harmful treatment.
Professional indemnity insurance is often overlooked by mobile hairdressers 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 mobile hairdresser professional indemnity insurance 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 hairdressers need?
The professional indemnity limit you need will reflect your particular mobile hairdressing 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 mobile hairdressing?
It’s wise to keep your professional indemnity if you stop your mobile hairdressing 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.
Insurance mobile hairdressers look for
Sometimes mobile hairdressers look for a very specific coverage:
- mobile hair stylist insurance
- mobile hair extension insurance
- mobile hair and beauty insurance
Hair styling and hair extensions would usually be included in mobile hairdressing insurance. That is the case with Suited. Always review the exclusions of your insurance to understand what is not covered.
However, mobile hair and beauty insurance is a little bit different. If by beauty you just mean makeup, you’re better off selecting ‘hairdresser’ and ‘makeup artist’ from the list of available professions rather than “hair and beauty”.
Insurance providers often assume that ‘beauty’ may include treatments such as facials, injections and other rejuvenation techniques. As a result your insurance may cost more and there are likely to be additional conditions.
Other insurance hairdressers buy
As a hairdresser, the type of insurance you require will depend on your specific situation. Have you considered the possibility of a legal conflict? Additionally, how would you handle a tax-related problem? It's important to consider these factors when determining the insurance coverage you may need.
Other useful insurance for mobile hairdressers
Other insurance you will need as a mobile hairdresser 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.
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. We call this Business Legal Protect, and it’s part of your subscription.
Business Legal Protect 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 mobile hairdresser liability insurance
Whether or not you decide to use Suited hairdressing insurance to protect your business, it’s worth keeping the following in mind:
Price 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.
