Running a hair or beauty salon in the UK can involve managing valuable equipment, providing complex treatments, and ensuring customer safety in a busy environment. Standard salon insurance policies may not fully cover the unique risks faced by salons without carefully selected add-ons.

Understanding which salon insurance add-ons can provide extra protection can help salon owners arrange cover that is tailored to their specific services and day-to-day operations.

Why Salon Insurance Add‑Ons Are Important

While core salon insurance can offer essential protections such as public liability and contents cover, additional risks can remain uncovered without specific add-ons. These extra covers can help protect salons from:

• Treatment-related claims

• Equipment breakdowns

• Staff injury claims

• Stock deterioration

Selecting the right add-ons can strengthen protection and help salon owners manage more complex risks with confidence.

1. Treatment Risk Cover for Salons

Treatment risk cover can offer protection if a customer suffers injury or an adverse reaction following a beauty or hair treatment.

When Treatment Risk Cover Can Apply:

• Allergic reactions to hair dye or skincare products

• Burns caused by hot wax or styling equipment

• Skin damage from chemical treatments

This cover can typically help with compensation claims, legal defence costs, and associated medical expenses.

Salon owners may wish to confirm:

• Whether all treatments offered are included

• If patch test requirements are specified

• Whether cover applies to visiting therapists and apprentices

2. Employers’ Liability Insurance for Salon Staff

Employers’ liability insurance is generally required by law when employing staff. It can help provide protection if an employee suffers illness or injury linked to their work.

This cover can be particularly important for:

• Full-time and part-time staff

• Apprentices and trainees

• Temporary or casual salon workers

Employers’ liability insurance can help with legal costs, compensation claims, and medical expenses.

3. Salon Equipment Breakdown Cover

Many salons depend on specialist equipment such as:

• Hairdryers

• Styling chairs

• Tanning beds

• Laser and IPL machines

Equipment breakdown cover can help protect against the cost of repairs or replacements following mechanical or electrical failure.

Salon owners may benefit from confirming:

• Whether cover includes emergency call-out fees

• If hired or leased equipment is protected

• Whether loss of income due to equipment failure is included

4. Business Interruption Insurance for Salons

Unexpected events such as fire, flood, or serious equipment failure can force temporary closure. Business interruption insurance can offer financial support to help cover:

• Lost income while the salon is unable to trade

• Ongoing fixed costs, such as rent and utilities

• Additional trading expenses, including temporary premises

It is useful to review whether the indemnity period and cover levels are sufficient to support recovery and reopening.

5. Stock Deterioration Cover for Salons

Many salons carry stock that can be expensive to replace, including:

• Professional hair care products

• Skincare ranges

• Refrigerated beauty supplies

Stock deterioration cover can help protect against loss or spoilage caused by refrigeration failure or other insured incidents.

Checking whether seasonal stock increases are automatically included can help ensure protection is maintained during peak periods.

6. Money Cover for Salons

Salons often handle cash payments on-site, particularly in smaller or independent businesses. Money cover can offer protection for cash stored on the premises or in transit to the bank.

Salon owners may wish to confirm:

• The maximum cash amounts covered during and outside of trading hours

• Whether cover extends to takings held by staff on the way to the bank

• Specific security requirements for safe storage on-site

Key Insights for Salon Owners

Salon insurance add-ons such as treatment risk cover, equipment breakdown, and employers’ liability can help provide tailored protection that reflects the complex risks in hair and beauty environments. Selecting the right combination of core policies and additional covers can help salon owners safeguard their equipment, staff, stock, and financial stability.

Regularly reviewing cover levels, ensuring treatments are accurately listed, and working with brokers to arrange competitive, tailored policies can help ensure that salons remain fully protected as their services grow and evolve.