Self-employed barber insurance

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Self employed barber insurance UK
Self employed barber insurance UK
Self employed barber insurance UK
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What is barber insurance?

When it comes to insurance for self-employed barbers, it's typically not a one-size-fits-all solution. Barbers often purchase multiple insurance products to cover their work-related risks adequately. Since barbers work with people, they usually prioritise public liability insurance, but since they also provide advice, professional indemnity insurance is important to consider.

How much does barber insurance cost?

Public liability insurance for barbers starts around £9.80 a month and increases depending on the required insurance limits, business size, and claims history.

Self employed professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity

from £7.67 per month

Provides you with legal defence against claims of professional mistake or negligence causing a financial loss to your clients.

Up to £2,000,000 cover

Zero excess

Dedicated legal team

A+ insurer

Competitive prices

Core cover
Self employed professional indemnity insurance

Professional indemnity

from £8.89 per month

Provides you with legal defence against claims of professional mistake or negligence causing a financial loss to your clients.

Up to £2,000,000 cover

Zero excess

Dedicated legal team

A+ insurer

Competitive prices

Core cover
Self employed professional indemnity insurance

Professional indemnity

from £9.54 per month

Provides you with legal defence against claims of professional mistake or negligence causing a financial loss to your clients.

Up to £2,000,000 cover

Zero excess

Dedicated legal team

A+ insurer

Competitive prices

Core cover
Self employed professional indemnity insurance

Professional indemnity

from £20.41 per month

Provides you with legal defence against claims of professional mistake or negligence causing a financial loss to your clients.

Up to £2,000,000 cover

Zero excess

Dedicated legal team

A+ insurer

Competitive prices

Core cover
Self employed professional indemnity insurance

Professional indemnity

from £22.78 per month

Provides you with legal defence against claims of professional mistake or negligence causing a financial loss to your clients.

Up to £2,000,000 cover

Zero excess

Dedicated legal team

A+ insurer

Competitive prices

Core cover
Commercial legal expenses insurance.
Business legal protect

Cover of £100,000 commercial legal expenses included with your policy subscription.

Protects you and your business against a range of issues not typically covered by professional indemnity or public liability.

IR35 & HMRC investigations

Legal matters concerning your business

Negative PR (£25,000 cover)

Criminal prosecution

Compliance & regulation issues

Unpaid invoices (over £200)

Also includes free telephone advice & help from qualified professionals.

Tax and commercial legal advice

Counselling for you and your staff

Access to a legal template library

Identity theft assistance

Included
Self employed public liability insurance.
Public liability

from +£4.76 per month

Protects your business against claims of causing an accidental injury or property damage to either your clients or a third party.

Up to £2,000,000 cover including products liability

No excess

Expert legal team

A+ specialist insurers

Covers claims against your client caused by your business

Business equipment insurance.
Electronic business equipment

from +£7.00 per month

Pays for repair or replacement if your portable electronic equipment (and accessories) get damaged or lost.

Equipment up to £10,000 cover (£3,500 per item)

Accessories are included (£500 per item)

Hired equipment is covered

Worldwide - your devices are covered anywhere you are

Personal accident insurance.
Business owner protect

from +£10.07 per month

Reimburses your taxable business expenses while you’re recovering from a serious illness or injury.

Up to £2,000 a month

Up to 6 months following the first 30 days of illness

Any tax deductible expenses included

Receive a lump sump payout if you suffer an accident leaving you with partial or total disablement:

£5,000 lump sum

Fast customer service

Quick payout

Answer 4 questions then select the policies and limits you need.
Answer 4 questions then select the policies and limits you need.
What people say
2 March
Extremely impressed

Extremely impressed with the professional and supportive service I received.

Kellie Williams
on Google
16 February
Very efficient

After shopping around for business liability cover, I found suited, I had a few questions and Jana from suited was very efficient...

Chezza
on Trustpilot
14 February
Great!

The website is easy to use and the process is intuitive, clear and easy to follow.

Matt M
on Trustpilot
11 February

I was recommended Suited, because I’d been stalling. Simple to use website, offered clear, concise information and selection...

Mokolada
on Trustpilot
12 December

Really fantastic service by the suited insure team! Always found the insurance side to be a bit confusing but the team took me...

Michael Ryan
on Google
15 September

A simple and flexible service for what I required. Great communication from start to finish.

Matthew Allen
on Google
1 August

I was looking for business insurance this easy to use and very well explained web site made the process simple and painless. Had a quote...

Piers Field
on Trustpilot
In detail

Why do barbers need insurance?

Causing accidental cuts, nicks, or burns ‍

As a barber, it is important to prioritise safety and follow guidelines to ensure a clean environment for your customers. The use of sharp equipment requires your full attention to prevent any accidents that may result in medical costs or compensation demands.

Accusations of breaking health and safety rules

Additionally, any complaints from customers or the public about health and safety may result in legal action, so it is crucial to maintain professionalism at all times.

Contract disputes

If you are a self-employed barber, it is important to have clear arrangements with the salon or barber shop you work with. Any disputes regarding contract terms, non-compete agreements, or other obligations should be handled with care.

Causing damage to property

When using dyes, bleaches, or styling chemicals, it is essential to be mindful of their potential to damage customers' clothing or the shop's property. In some cases, you may be held responsible for the costs associated with such damage.

Public liability insurance for barbers

Public liability insurance protects barbers against accidents, injuries and property damage. 

Barbers who are self-employed or rent space at salons have direct and close contact with their clients while cutting hair and performing treatments. However, this also increases the risk of public liability claims in case of any accidents.

What does barber public liability insurance cover?

If someone accuses you of causing accidental injury, property damage, or loss, having public liability insurance can offer legal protection and cover any compensation you may become responsible for.

Cover includes:

  • accidental injury or death
  • accidental property damage

For example:

  • Your hand slipped, perhaps something startled you or someone called your name, and you cut your client.
  • When bleaching your client’s hair, you damaged their designer clothes.
  • When standing from the chair, a customer tripped over your equipment.

All of the above scenarios and more can result in a compensation claim against you.

Even when it’s not your fault, you’ll still need the help of a legal professional to help you deal with the situation. That can easily costs thousands of pounds.

Professional indemnity insurance for barbers

Professional indemnity insurance protects barbers from claims or accusations of wrongdoing from their professional advice and services.

As a barber, you may face legal action if a customer claims damage or allergic reactions from your treatments. Professional indemnity insurance can help cover the costs of legal action and protect your reputation. It provides peace of mind and helps you address claims professionally with qualified legal aid.

What does barber professional indemnity insurance cover?

In the event of a legal claim against your professional conduct, professional indemnity insurance will handle all communication with the client on your behalf. Furthermore, it will provide 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:

  • A client claims that the treatment you provided caused damage to their hair or scalp and they’re now asking you to pay damages.
  • You’ve sold a product recommendation to your customer who then suffered an allergic reaction. They may claim it’s your fault because you failed to warn them of potential side effects.

What professional indemnity limit do barbers need?

When selecting a professional indemnity limit for your barbering business, it's important to take into account your specific activities. Factors to consider include the frequency of your work, the number of clients you serve, and the potential financial consequences if any of your advice or treatments result in negative outcomes.

Switching your professional indemnity insurance

If you decide to cancel or switch your professional indemnity policy, it's important to note that you won't be able to make any claims against your previous policy. To ensure that your past work is still covered, you should look for a provider that offers "retroactive cover".

Should I keep professional indemnity insurance if I pause or retire from self-employed barbering?

Maintaining your professional indemnity insurance is advisable even if you take a break or retire from barbering. Claims related to professional misconduct can come up long after you have provided the service, even after several months or years.

Remember: If you cancel your policy, your insurance coverage will end, including coverage for any previous work.

The duration of your coverage depends on your discretion. You should evaluate the type of barbering you have done and the possibility of a client filing a claim against you.

Other insurance barbers buy

The insurance required for barbers varies depending on their individual circumstances. Have you considered the possibility of facing a legal dispute or a tax issue and ensured you have the means to handle them?

Commercial legal expenses insurance

Most commercial legal expenses insurance will protect self-employed barbers 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 barbers 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’re facing a dispute or legal action from a local authority over your business
  • You’re in a contract dispute with a salon

Shopping for barbering liability insurance

If you're considering getting insurance for your barbershop, it's important to keep the following things in mind. 

Price isn’t everything

Some insurance providers might offer very low prices, but their after-sales service might not be up to par. You should check how easy it is to get in touch with your provider. At Suited, we offer multiple contact options and respond quickly.

The reputation of the insurer is important

It's crucial that your insurance provider is reliable and will pay out when you need it. Suited partners with financially stable insurers that have an A+ rating.

Many providers charge fees to amend or cancel

Beware of hidden charges. Some providers might advertise low prices but add extra fees for monthly payments or policy changes. With Suited, there are no extra fees, and you can cancel your policy anytime without any additional charges.

Some policy wordings are restrictive or have a high excess

Some providers might offer lower prices but provide less coverage. Suited's professional indemnity and public liability policies have a £0 excess.

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FAQs

Common questions

Do barbers need insurance?

Barber insurance is essential to protect you, the self employed barber, from a variety of risks you face daily in your profession.

What insurance does a barber need?

Self employed barbers are likely to need barber public liability insurance and professional indemnity cover. If you own a barber shop, you may also need a barber shop insurance to protect all the fixtures, fittings and equipment.

Is it compulsory to have barber insurance | UK?

It isn’t compulsory to have barber insurance in the UK but as a self employed barber. However, if you rent a chair at a salon, you may need to have barber public liability insurance. If you are a mobile barber visiting your customers’ home, it is prudent to have mobile barber insurance.

What is mobile barber insurance?

Mobile barber insurance should protect you against claims of wrongdoing by your customers or causing an injury or property damage during the course of your business activities.

Answer 4 questions then select the policies and limits you need.
Answer 4 questions then select the policies and limits you need.
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Barber public liability insurance
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Go retroactive

Include retroactive cover to insure previous work.

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Holiday mode

Pay less when not working by hibernating your PI cover.

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If you call to cancel within the first 2 weeks we’ll give you a full refund.

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No longer need us? Cancel anytime, no more to pay.

* 14 day promise is not available online, please speak to a member of staff. Not available if you have reported a claim.

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