Barbers, Hairdressers & Beauty Therapists Insurance
Barbers, women’s hairdressers, hair salons, beauty therapists, and aesthetic practitioners operate hands-on businesses where public interaction, physical treatments, and chemical or cosmetic products create real risk. Having the right insurance is essential to protect your business, reputation, and livelihood.
At Design Cover Insurance Brokers, we arrange tailored Public Liability, Professional Indemnity, and Medical Malpractice insurance for hair and beauty professionals across Australia — ensuring cover actually matches the services you provide.
Who this cover is for
This insurance is designed for:
Barbers and barber shops
Women’s and unisex hair salons
Mobile hairdressers
Beauty therapists
Lash, brow, and makeup artists
Skin clinics and cosmetic salons
Laser and IPL operators
Cosmetic tattooists
Aesthetic and dermal therapists
Whether you operate from a salon, clinic, home studio, or mobile setup, your insurance must reflect your exact treatments and procedures.
Public Liability Insurance for Hair & Beauty Businesses
Public Liability (PL) insurance protects you if a client or third party suffers injury or property damage in connection with your business.
Common claims in the hair and beauty industry include:
Slips, trips, and falls in salons
Burns from hair tools or hot wax
Chemical reactions from dyes or treatments
Allergic reactions to products
Property damage to client belongings
Most salons, landlords, shopping centres, and markets require Public Liability insurance, often with limits of $10 million or $20 million.
Professional Indemnity Insurance (PI)
Professional Indemnity insurance protects you against claims alleging:
Negligent advice or services
Errors or omissions in treatments
Failure to warn of risks
Financial loss resulting from your services
For hairdressers and beauty therapists, PI claims often arise from:
Hair damage or hair loss following chemical treatments
Skin irritation, scarring, or pigmentation issues
Incorrect aftercare advice
Unsuitable treatment recommendations
Even when services are performed with care, allegations alone can trigger legal costs. PI insurance covers legal defence, settlements, and compensation.
Medical Malpractice Insurance (When It’s Required)
If your business provides advanced or invasive cosmetic treatments, standard PI insurance may not be sufficient.
You may require Medical Malpractice insurance if you offer services such as:
Cosmetic injectables (e.g. anti-wrinkle, dermal fillers)
Advanced skin needling or microneedling
Laser and IPL procedures
Chemical peels beyond superficial treatments
Cosmetic tattooing or semi-permanent makeup
Medical Malpractice insurance is more specialised and highly dependent on:
Practitioner qualifications
Scope of practice
Devices and products used
Compliance with state regulations
This is an area where incorrect cover can result in denied claims.
Why Generic or Online Policies Often Fall Short
Many hair and beauty professionals purchase insurance online assuming it covers all treatments — only to discover exclusions when a claim occurs.
Common issues include:
Treatments not disclosed or endorsed
Laser or cosmetic exclusions
Incorrect classification of services
No medical malpractice extension
Policies that don’t meet lease or regulatory requirements
In the hair and beauty industry, policy wording matters as much as the limit of cover.
How Design Cover Helps Hair & Beauty Professionals
We work closely with barbers, hairdressers, and beauty therapists to:
Match insurance to your exact services
Ensure PL, PI, and malpractice cover align correctly
Review leases, council, and insurer requirements
Access insurers that understand hair and beauty risks
Provide claims advocacy if something goes wrong
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all insurance — especially for hands-on industries like hair and beauty.
Get the Right Cover for Your Salon or Practice
Whether you’re a sole trader, mobile operator, or multi-chair salon, having the right insurance protects your income, reputation, and future.
Speak with Design Cover Insurance Brokers today to ensure your Public Liability, Professional Indemnity, and Medical Malpractice insurance is properly structured for your hair or beauty business.