What is Treatment Liability Insurance?

Treatment liability insurance is important because it protects against injury or damage claims in relation to the professional services offered by salons, wellness therapists, hairdressers, barbers, masseuses, beauticians, etc. These types of liability claims are not covered by public liability insurance, so treatment liability insurance fills a critical gap in insurance coverages for these professions.

While it's not required by UK law, treatment liability insurance can protect you if you're sued. Below we explain what it is, what types of claims are covered and who needs to buy treatment liability insurance.

• What is treatment liability insurance?
• Do I need treatment liability insurance?
• What does product liability insurance cover?
• Common exclusions
• FAQs

What is Treatment Liability Insurance?

Treatment liability insurance typically protects against customer claims of injury, illness or property damage due your services or advice. Specifically, treatment liability insurance provides financial protection by covering legal defence fees if you're sued, as well as as compensation payments if you're found liable. Treatment liability insurance covers:

So, treatment liability insurance can protect your business financially from having to pay legal defence costs and compensation if you're sued by a client—but what types of circumstances does this apply to? Here are some examples of situations that could be covered by a treatment liability policy:

Examples

Do I Need Treatment Liability Insurance?

If you perform any of the services listed below, you ideally should hold treatment liability insurance—it's a popular type of business insurance for those working in beauty and wellness. Coverage for a treatment liability policy will vary by insurer and according to your profession (e.g., barber, hairdresser, nail technician, manicurist, makeup artist, beautician, massage therapist, etc.), but here is a list of commonly covered services:

In addition, you may be able to obtain treatment liability coverage for more riskier services such as the following list—but you may be required to pay an extra premium. It will all depend on the insurer.

What Types of Claims does Treatment Liability Insurance Cover?

While coverage will vary depending on your insurer, treatment liability insurance can protect you and your business from having to pay thousands or more in legal costs and compensation payments in certain types of situations. Below we explain some coverages you might get on a plan—but be sure to check your policy wording to fully understand what is covered on a policy before you buy.

1. Malpractice, Negligence or Breach of Duty

Bodily injury, mental injury, illness, disease or death of a client caused by a negligent act, error or omission by you when carrying out your business activities (e.g., giving incorrect advice or making a mistake such as using the wrong product or technique).

Example: You combine the wrong products, resulting in a chemical burn on your client's skin.

2. Dishonesty

When a director, employee, self-employed freelancer, subcontractor or outsourcer contracted to you and supervised by you is involved in a theft from the client.

Example: A freelancer you employed was caught on CCTV after stealing money from a client on a home visit.

Libel or slander

Producing material about other companies or individuals that causes damage or offence.

Example: You publish derogatory comments in your online blog, which is read by thousands of beauty enthusiasts, about a new product you tested.

Breach of confidentiality

Sharing confidential or commercially sensitive information without consent.

Example: You accidentally email private information about one client's wellness to another client.

Common Exclusions

Exclusions on treatment liability insurance policies will vary from insurer to insurer. We've read policy wordings for a number of offerings in the UK market at found some examples of exclusions on treatment liability policies, listed below. And if you haven't paid the extra premium for riskier types of services such as those mentioned above, they would also be excluded from your treatment liability cover.

FAQs