In a word – yes! It’s a good idea to take out an insurance policy. A career in makeup can be very rewarding and, most of the time, nothing will go astray. However, all jobs have risks and things do not always go according to plan. For example, you may find yourself being sued or having to replace stolen kit. With that in mind, here’s a guide to insurance cover for makeup artists.
Why Does a Makeup Artist Need Insurance?
Any job has its risks and working as a self-employed or freelance makeup artist is no different.
For instance, you deal with members of the public in close quarters, sometimes in their own home. You also use products, carry out treatments and can work in cramped or difficult environments. Even with the most careful planning, accidents can still happen.
This is why having insurance is so important – it protects you from the unforeseen.
Without insurance, any compensation claims made against you could lead to financial and legal difficulties. Likewise, replacing a stolen kit is expensive or personal injury could mean a loss of income.
If you live in the UK, it is not a legal requirement to have insurance cover. However, you should have public liability at the least. The exception is you must have employers’ liability insurance if you employ someone – this is legally required and not voluntary.
Other useful types of cover include equipment cover, loss of earnings, or personal accident. These are available as optional extras if not included in the main insurance policy.
If you live outside of the UK, check the legal requirements for your country. Also, certain states within a country may require insurance, whereas others do not. So, check out the legal situation where you are living.
In summary, to properly protect your makeup business, income and reputation you should be insured.
Types of Insurance Cover for Makeup Artists
There are various cover options available to the professional makeup artist. Each one protects a different aspect of the business.
The commonly seen insurance options for makeup artists include:
- Public liability
- Professional indemnity
- Equipment cover
- Employers’ liability
- Treatment liability
- Product liability
We’re going to look at each one in more detail.
Public Liability
- This insurance cover is essential when you work as self-employed with the public. For example, you could be working freelance or operating as a mobile makeup artist.
- It is designed to protect your business should a customer get injured, fall ill, or their property damaged as a result of using your services. This could be in someone’s home or third-party premises.
- Court fees, complaints and compensation claims can be expensive – this insurance should cover these costs if you are sued. In short, it covers you against the cost of defending a claim.
- Although public liability insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK, it should be the first policy you take out.
Professional Indemnity
- This type of cover protects you against unsatisfied customers – be it with your work, products or advice. In a word, if a customer is unhappy with any aspect of your service, they can raise a claim against you.
- Professional indemnity insurance covers you for things like legal fees and compensation costs.
Equipment Cover
- This covers your kit and tools against theft, damage or loss.
- You can also get cover for technical devices like phones, cameras and other such items.
- Sadly, theft can occur when working. Your makeup kit is left unattended when you are on set and things can go missing. Fortunately, it is rare and most people are not stealing your kit – just be aware that there is the odd light-fingered tosser. Make sure your kit is marked with your name or a symbol.
- Generally speaking, makeup and hairdressing items are expensive to replace. Therefore, it is worth including this type of cover with the main insurance policy.
Employers’ Liability
- If you employ other people to help you at work or with a project, it is a legal requirement in the UK to have employers’ liability.
- An employee is classed as anyone who works for you – be they paid, voluntary, casual, temporary or full-time.
- Very simply, when you hire someone you have a responsibility for their safety. If they get injured while under your employment, they can make a claim against you. For example, an employee could slip on a wet floor, blame you and sue for compensation.
Treatment Liability
- Many comprehensive insurance policies automatically cover a whole range of basic cosmetic treatments, including makeup application.
- You can also add other treatments, should you need it.
- Bear in mind that for some treatments, you have to be qualified in some way to get that particular insurance cover.
Product Liability
- If you manufacture and/or sell cosmetic products to customers then this cover is worth considering.
- It protects you against claims made for faulty or unsafe products.
Where to Get Makeup Business Insurance
Simply Google “insurance for makeup artists” and you will get plenty of results.
Makeup artistry has become a more recognised job. Therefore, lots of insurance companies now offer a policy tailored to this profession. Some companies specialise in beauty industry insurance.
Look through what each insurance company offers and the level of protection available. It is also essential to read the policy document, as well as all terms and conditions.
You must make sure the policy meets your requirements and business activities. Otherwise, you might not be adequately covered – and you do not want to find this out when making an insurance claim.
For BECTU members in the UK, you can get public liability and equipment cover as an extra to membership.
How Much Does Insurance Cost?
That is a “piece of string” question! However, that said, it is not expensive to get a policy designed for makeup artists. A quick search on the internet resulted in policies costing as little as £40 per annum (Google search, Jan 2021).
Of course, any initial quotation can increase in line with the level of cover wanted. Optional extras will also add to the final cost.
Even with this in mind, the extra cost is usually not much on top of the main insurance premium.
It is also worth remembering that business insurance is a tax-deductible expense.
What If I Work in a Salon or Retail?
If you are employed by a business, like a salon or retail makeup store, you should be covered by their insurance.
As an employee, the business you work for should have insurance policies to protect you, as well as customers. It is the same for any employee in any industry – the burden of insurance is on them, not you.
Insurance certificates are usually displayed somewhere in the workplace for everyone to see. However, if you are in doubt, just ask your employer.
You only have to consider insuring yourself if you are self-employed at any point.
What Happens If I Have No Insurance?
There is no legal penalty in the UK if you don’t have public liability insurance. It is up to you.
However, you may regret it if something goes wrong and you get sued. Legal costs can soon mount up. Also, if you lose a case, you could be liable for all legal costs as well as any settlement.
To reiterate, please insure yourself – protect your income, business and reputation. It is simply part of being a responsible makeup artist.
Find Out More
- BECTU – public liability insurance and equipment cover.
- UK Health & Safety Executive – all about Employers’ Liability.
