Why do nail technicians need insurance?
A client getting injured
Where chemicals and sharp tools are used, an accident can happen anytime, no matter how careful and well-trained you are.
Treatment goes wrong
A client may demand compensation because a treatment you provided caused health issues.
Something you said is taken out of context
You have a personal relationship with your clients and a lot is said during a session. You may face a legal claim if you say something that is misinterpreted.
Contractual disputes
Nail technicians who rent space in a salon or operate their own nail salons may encounter contractual disputes with landlords, salon owners, or clients.
Mobile nail tech insurance
As a mobile nail technician you’ll be travelling to events and your clients’ homes to deliver your services. The risk of being sued for damages following an accident that caused an injury or property damage is much higher.
As an independent mobile nail technician, you should never work without nail technician liability insurance that protects from legal claims of making a professional error or causing an accident.
Public liability insurance for nail technicians
Public liability insurance protects nail technicians when they face a legal claim following accidents that led to injuries or property damage.
Self-employed nail technicians have up-close and personal contact with their clients. They also share space at salons to provide treatments. Both expose nail technicians to public liability claims if an accident happens.
Public liability insurance for mobile nail technician
Mobile technicians have the additional risk of visiting their clients’ homes. Incidents like spilling polish on an expensive carpet, knocking over a piece of art or forgetting to close the door allowing a much loved pet to escape can lead to compensation demands..
What does nail tech 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:
- A wobbly chair or a hand slip causes an accidental injury to a client.
- You accidentally spill nail polish on your client’s expensive clothes or handbag.
- When standing up from the chair, a client trips and falls. They blame you for the accident and ask you to pay their medical expenses.
Professional indemnity insurance for nail technicians
Professional indemnity insurance, sometimes known as treatment liability, protects nail technicians from claims or accusations of wrongdoing resulting from their professional advice and services.
Professional indemnity insurance will immediately 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 nail tech professional indemnity insurance cover?
Professional indemnity insurance for nail technicians is there to provide you legal advice and defence. Following a legal claim resulting from your professional conduct and duties, your legal team will advise on next steps and will take over if appropriate to settle the claim.
The insurance 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 nails, demanding monetary compensation.
- You may have said or done something that caused upset, and a client feels entitled to compensation.
- You’re facing legal allegations from a third party for not adhering to health and safety regulations
What professional indemnity limit do nail technicians need?
The professional indemnity limit you need will reflect your particular nail tech activities. When choosing a limit, consider how often you work, how many clients you have, and the possible financial impacts if your nail tech advice or treatment goes wrong.
Switching your professional indemnity insurance
Typically, in the UK, if you cancel a professional indemnity policy, you can no longer claim against it.
Therefore, if you switch your hairdressing insurance provider, be sure your new policy covers your past work; this is called “retroactive cover”.
Should I keep nail tech professional indemnity insurance if I pause or retire from my self-employment?
It’s wise to keep your professional indemnity if you retire or take a break from work. Claims against professional misconduct can surface weeks or months after you delivered treatments.
Remember: If you cancel your policy, your insurance coverage will end, including coverage for any previous work.
How long you keep your cover in place is up to you. Consider the type of work you did and the likelihood that a client might bring a claim against you.
Other self-employed nail technician insurance to consider
Other insurance you will need as a nail tech 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 Suited 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 nail tech liability insurance
Whether or not you decide to use Suited nail tech insurance to protect your business, it’s worth keeping the following in mind:
Nail technician insurance cost
Some providers offer rock-bottom prices and ask that you pay up front., But after-sales service could be lacklustre accompanied by extra charges. When it comes to nail technician insurance, pay monthly should always be an option. That is why at Suited we offer a simple monthly subscription at no extra cost.
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.
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.
