Do Makeup Artists Need Insurance?

Since makeup artists deal directly with members of the public, they should have public liability insurance—even freelancers. And depending on the scope of your business, you may need additional business insurance coverages as well. Here's what you need to know about makeup artist insurance before you buy.

• What kind of insurance does a makeup artist need?
• How much is insurance for a makeup artist?

What Kind of Insurance Does a Makeup Artist Need?

A makeup artist certainly needs business insurance but the types of cover you need will depend on whether you are a freelancer, a mobile trader, you own a salon, you rent vs. own a business premises, etc. While insurance requirements vary by situation, here are some of the more common types of insurance that a makeup artist might need, plus some real-world examples to help explain the different coverages.

Public Liability Insurance for Makeup Artists

Public Liability insurance is a good idea for all makeup artists, since they have exposure to members of the public. This type of business insurance protects you financially against claims from members of the public (e.g., your clients) if they are injured or their property damaged due to your negligence. Public liability insurance can pay for legal defence expenses and compensation claims if you're sued, and is frequently available with limits of £1 million, £2 million, £5 million or £10 million.

Employers' Liability Insurance for Makeup Artists

Employers' Liability insurance is compulsory if you hire anyone, from an assistant to a team of makeup artists. Employers' Liability insurance covers legal defence costs and claims settlements if an employee falls ill or is injured due to their work for you.

Tools and Equipment Insurance

Tools/Equipment Cover can be useful to cover accidental damage, loss or theft of valuable tools, such as makeup and brushes. A makeup artist's equipment can be very expensive to replace and you can't work without it, so having this cover in place can keep you in business in the event of a disaster like theft.

Stock Cover

Stock Cover: If you keep stock of makeup, hair products or other items to sell to your clients, stock cover can protect these goods in the case of accidental damage, loss or theft.

Personal Accident Insurance

Personal Accident insurance can provide a financial benefit if you or an employee has an accidental injury and is unable to work. This type of insurance is a "benefit" so it's not tax deductible. The benefit is either in the form of a weekly payout for a temporary injury (e.g., broken arm) or a lump sum payout for a permanent disability (e.g., loss of an eye).

In addition, a makeup artist might need other types of cover as mentioned below.

Do Makeup Artists Need Insurance?

Yes, makeup artists need insurance—in particular, they need public liability insurance. Public liability insurance is critical when dealing with clients, customers and members of the public (meaning anyone not employed by you)—since makeup artists by definition deal with other people in close proximity, they should have public liability insurance coverage at the very least.

Whether or not you need other types of business insurance as a makeup artist will depend on the specific risks you face. For example, if you hire any assistants or a team of makeup artists as your business grows, you will need employers' liability insurance. If you want cover for your equipment (e.g., brushes, makeup, etc.), you'll need tools cover.

Other coverages you might want include professional indemnity, personal accident, product liability, commercial property, office equipment, business use on your vehicle insurance, etc.—what you need depends on your individual situation and risk factors.

How Much is Public Liability Insurance for a Makeup Artist?

As of early 2026, the starting cost for public liability insurance for a self-employed makeup artist is approximately £64 per year for a standard £1m policy. While some specialist providers offer basic cover from as little as £43 per annum, most mainstream insurers have adjusted rates to account for rising legal and treatment-risk costs. For Muas needing higher limits, our 2026 analysis shows the following baseline averages:

The cost of cover increases with the level of cover (as you can see below), however the premium increase for an additional million pounds of cover is usually quite insignificant compared to the first million of cover. You might be surprised to hear it but your business insurance premium also depends on where you live.

Your total cost of business insurance may be higher, depending on the additional coverages you need. For example, employers' liability insurance is required by law if you hire an assistant, trainee, or casual worker. In 2026, adding this cover to your policy typically costs around £210 per year for a single employee. This figure can rise to over £350 if you employ three or more staff members, though the cost per person often decreases as your team grows.

Of course, these are just sample quotes to give you a general idea of prices; your premiums might vary significantly depending on your situation and the details of your application.

FAQs

Makeup Artist Employment and Earnings Statistics

Earnings for makeup artists have shifted significantly due to inflation and the new 2026 National Living Wage. According to the latest BECTU ratecards and 2026 salary data, here are the current industry benchmarks:

Pay Data Sources