How to Avoid Ugly Losses in the Beauty Industry.

Barber shops and beauty salons offer a wide range of services, which traditionally include hairstyling, shaping eyebrows, applying cosmetics, permanent waving, shampooing, tweezing, facial shaving, trimming, plucking, bleaching and dyeing, manicures, hair tinting, waxing or hair removal, and pedicures — to name a few.

Modern establishments offer an even wider array of services that cross into the realm of medical and even surgical procedures. Current operations may include services such as:

• Botox injection
• Liposuction
• Medispas
• Dermabrasion
• Laser Treatments

This wide range of services is accompanied by an equally wide variety of risks. During these treatments, customers may experience scalp injuries, severe damage to hair, burns, cuts, spinal or joint injuries, scarring, and more. None of these losses are covered by a general liability policy, which is why it is absolutely critical to acquire the protection of a barbers and beauticians (or cosmetologists) professional liability policy.

What is covered?

Many traditional services are covered under professional liability policies. However, such policies are not standardized. Therefore, protection may be significantly different among different insurers. A particular company's application and policy forms should be carefully read to determine what services are covered. Cosmetologists are required to carry a state license and a minimum amount of training and experience to perform their jobs. Barbers' and beauticians' professional liability policies require that all insured persons maintain a valid license or certification. Typical coverage includes injuries to persons or property related to the applicable beauty or barber shop operation. There is also coverage for harm connected to the application of products or preparations bought at a shop or salon and then used at customers' homes. Coverage does NOT apply to practices made BY the insured.

What are the limitations in coverage?

We've discussed the types of situations protected by a barber's and beauticians' professional liability form. It is just as important to be aware of limitations. Generally, available policies don't protect against losses involving the following:

• Use of procedures and use of preparations that are illegal
• Injury related to a professional service performed by a minor or by an unlicensed operator
• Combustion, burning, or explosion of articles or products of a flammable nature
• Use of any appliance, apparatus, or device employing x-ray, electrical rays, radio rays, radio waves, or electronic waves
• Ear piercing, electrolysis, slenderizing, reducing, body massage, or bath treatment
• Face lifting or plastic surgery
• Use of any electrical or mechanical apparatus or device for massage
• Chiropody (treatment of minor foot ailments), podiatry, and/or any procedure involving the cutting of growths
• Use of any method or type of tanning service
• Service involving the breaking, piercing, cutting, lacerating, or suturing of the skin
• Microdermabrasion
• Hair implants or transplants
• Illegal or dishonest acts

Products Hazard Exclusions

Barbers' and beautician's professional liability policies typically make separate references to exclusions involving risks of beauty products. Policies don't respond to losses from:

• Goods or products manufactured by, bottled by, rebottled by, or repackaged by the insured
• Goods or products sold under the insured's label
• Withdrawal, inspection, repair, replacement, or loss of use of products manufactured by, bottled by, rebottled by, repacked by, or sold under the insured's label or that of an affiliate owned or controlled by the insured.

However, coverage for some services may be added for additional charges. When you want to make sure that making the public more beautiful doesn't include the chance of ugly, uninsured losses, call the insurance professionals at Williams Insurance. With over 80 years of experience and expertise, we can make sure all your coverage needs are met in a way that's right for you and your business.