The best beauty salon insurance companies will provide a combination of good value, quality coverage, demonstrated financial strength to pay out claims, and excellent customer service when it comes to handling claims. Many will also have flexible customer service hours and make it easy to purchase and manage your policy.
Operating a beauty salon carries many risks, such as accidentally injuring customers, accidental slip-and-fall accidents, or perhaps a haircut gone wrong. To protect your financial well-being, you need good insurance with a wide range of coverages, including general liability, professional liability, property, and workers’ compensation (for those with employees).
After evaluating over a dozen insurance companies, here is my list of the six best beauty salon insurance providers:
- Simply Business: Best overall for multiple quote comparisons
- Next Insurance: Best for cosmetologists
- The Hartford: Best for large salons
- Hiscox: Best for new salon owners
- Thimble: Best for short-term & on-demand coverage
- Travelers: Best for custom business owner’s policy (BOP)
Best beauty salon insurance companies compared
How to get a quote | Beauty salon insurance cost | Hours of operation | Instant COI available | Financial rating from AM Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Online or over the phone | $20.83 monthly | Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. ET | ✓ | A++ (Superior) |
 | Online or over the phone | $8.34 monthly | Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT | ✓ | A- (Excellent) |
 | Online or over the phone | $68 monthly | 24/7 call center | ✓ | A+ (Superior) |
 | Online or over the phone | $22.50 monthly | Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. ET | ✓ | A (Excellent) |
 | Online or over the phone | $25.41 monthly | Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. EST | ✓ | A- (Excellent) |
 | Via an agent | No published data | 24/7 call center | ✕ | A++ (Superior) |
Simply Business: Best overall for multiple quote comparisons
Pros
- It works with top-rated carriers.
- It offers same-day coverage.
- It offers insurance in all 50 states
Cons
- Customer service does not maintain a 24/7 hotline.
- As a broker, Simply Business does not handle claims—those must be filed with the provider.
- Commercial property insurance may be unavailable online.
Standout features
- Allows you to compare quotes online for general liability, professional liability, workers’ comp, and cyber insurance
- Enables you to tailor quotes by adjusting limits and coverages, and then see real-time updates to the price
- Offers an option to purchase a policy online in just minutes without needing to speak with anyone
- Has dedicated agents available to help you during weekday hours
Financial stability: Simply Business is owned by Travelers, and AM Best’s rating of Travelers is an A++ (Superior).
Why I like Simply Business
With Simply Business, you’ll be able to get multiple quotes in just a matter of minutes, something that can help ensure you get the best policy if you’re unsure where to start. It’s an insurance broker with around a dozen different providers in its network, allowing you to choose the policy best suited for your needs. The provided quotes will also give an idea of unique coverages you may need in your industry and for your circumstances, based on your answers to the online questionnaire.
You can purchase a policy online, but keep in mind that any policy-specific questions will need to subsequently be routed to the provider directly. This includes general questions about your coverages, as well as any claims. If you’d rather streamline your claims experience by having just one company to contact and work with, The Hartford offers many of the same policies and is an insurance carrier.
I obtained a quote for a beauty salon operating in Dallas County, Texas. While I only received one quote, you may be able to receive multiple quotes based on the details of your business and your geographic location.
I was quoted a monthly cost of $72.07. The policy contained general liability coverage of $1 million per occurrence and a $2 million aggregate. It also included professional liability coverage of $1 million per claim and a $1 million aggregate.
For services, you can manage your policy, which includes requesting a COI. Depending on the request, you can either make the change in real time or wait for assistance from a company representative.
We evaluated Simply Business’ customer satisfaction score in our rubric (3 out of 5) based on how satisfied customers are with the providers Simply Business works with. While most perform well, some have a higher-than-average level of complaints with the NAIC.
The broker is well-reviewed by its customers. Trustpilot has over 1,400 reviews for Simply Business, with an average score of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Next: Best for cosmetologists
Pros
- You can create and share instant COIs.
- It’s a dedicated small business insurer.
- You can purchase insurance online for same-day coverage.
Cons
- Coverage varies by state.
- Customer service is only available on weekdays during typical business hours.
- Quotes can sometimes be high.
Standout features
- Offers policy package designed for cosmetologists and estheticians with property, general, and professional liability and workers’ comp
- Generates quotes at three levels of coverage, giving you control over coverage and cost
- Has an app on iOS and Android for making policy changes, filing claims, and even creating and instantly sharing a COI
- Is a direct-to-consumer insurer with discounts of up to 25% on business insurance
Financial stability: While Next Insurance is new to the insurance field, having been founded in 2015, it has established itself financially. AM Best rated Next Insurance A- (Excellent).
Why I like Next Insurance
Specialty insurance as a cosmetologist or esthetician can sometimes be hard to come by. Fortunately, Next Insurance has a line of business specifically dedicated to covering these industries. Coverage options include general liability, professional liability, commercial auto (if you drive for business purposes), worker’s compensation, and commercial property. And, you can save up to 10% when you bundle two or more of those policies.
Next Insurance, like many of the top companies, also has a mobile app that allows you to easily view and manage your policy. This includes the ability to send and create certificates of insurance, as well as file claims.
I hopped on the Next Insurance website and was able to get a quote in under five minutes for an independent esthetician based in Texas. Same-day coverage was available, and I was given three options:
- Basic: At a cost of $11.67 per month, this policy came with $500,000 of general liability coverage and a $500,000 aggregate.
- Premier: At a cost of $13 per month, this came with a $1 million limit for general liability and a $1 million aggregate.
- Deluxe: At a cost of $13.34 per month, this came with a $1 million limit for general liability and a $2 million aggregate.
While this was the lowest quote we received while researching for this article, that doesn’t mean every business will receive the same quote. Insurance companies calculate general liability premiums based on a number of factors, including your business’ claims history, annual revenue, and number of employees, among several other details.
Next Insurance complaints are lower than the national average. Like most carriers, it allows customers to leave reviews of their experience. Next’s website features over 3,500 reviews with an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Convenience is where this provider shines. You can get a quote and a policy in minutes. Once you purchase a policy, you can access your insurance documents and instantly create COIs. Next Insurance stands out from its competitors by giving you full control over your policy management, either on your phone or through its app.
The Hartford: Best for large salons
Pros
- It has 24/7 claims call center and services.
- Business insurance is available nationwide.
- Get a quote online in 10 minutes.
Cons
- You may be unable to purchase a policy online, and same-day coverage isn’t available.
- Occasionally, no reason will be given if an online policy cannot be issued
- It has no app to manage policy.
Standout features
- Offers every type of salon insurance policy you’d need, including general liability, BOP, workers’ comp, and cyber liability insurance
- Provides BOP endorsements that are tailored for salons and general liability and professional liability as a combined policy for beauty salons
- Has lower-than-average complaints, as monitored nationally by insurance commissioners
- Enables you to easily manage your account online and get a COI whenever you need one
Financial stability: The Hartford has been paying claims for over 200 years and has the financial resources to handle claims. AM Best rated The Hartford an A+ (Superior).
Why I like The Hartford
If you operate a large salon, you may not only be at a higher risk of accidents, but also a wider range of incidents. The Hartford has almost any type of insurance coverage you can think of to ensure you’re covered and financially protected. For those reasons, I’ve selected this company as the best one for larger salon owners.
Other notable features of The Hartford include its nationwide coverage, the ability to generate a COI, 24/7 customer service availability, and an exceptional digital experience allowing you to manage your policy and easily file claims. And despite being a large company, it’s still able to offer surprisingly affordable policies, something that landed it a spot on our list of the cheapest general liability insurance companies.
It took me about 10 minutes to get a quote after initially visiting The Hartford’s website. For a beauty salon based in Texas, I was quoted $636 annually for a policy containing $1 million in general liability, damage to rented premises, and personal & advertising injury, with a $2 million aggregate.
The Hartford provides tailored coverage to fit your specific industry — and it is large enough that it can offer 24/7 support, risk management, and other coverages your business may need, like workers’ compensation.
When it comes to the claim experience, reviewers on The Hartford’s website have given it an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from about 42,000 reviews.
If you have questions about selecting coverage, you can call The Hartford and speak with an agent or reach out to a local independent agent.
Hiscox: Best for new salon owners
Pros
- Coverage offerings continue to expand.
- It has online account management.
- It only insures small businesses.
Cons
- Customer service and claims are not available 24/7 through a call center.
- Complaints for 2023 are slightly higher than average.
- Coverage may not be available in AK, DE, HI, KY, ME, MT, ND, SD, VT, WV, and WY.
Standout features
- Provides flexible payment options, making it easier to manage cash flow while staying insured
- Lets you get a quote and purchase a policy online in only a few minutes
- Offers coverage on claims-made or occurrence forms
- Automatically includes sexual misconduct coverage for salons
Financial stability: Hiscox is a global insurer with over a century of experience. Hiscox’s AM Best rating is A (Excellent).
Why I like Hiscox
Hiscox is a dedicated provider for small business insurance. It offers the policies your salon business needs and the claims service you want when a loss is filed. It is a great option for salon owners with a smaller operation because it has key policies for small business beauty salons with less than $1 million in revenue.
The provider is a great option for small salon owners, ones just starting out, or stylists who rent a chair in a salon because it has home-based discounts and targets microbusinesses for insurance. This means if you fit those categories, there is a good chance you’ll get a quick quote.
I obtained a quote for a beauty salon based in Texas. It took approximately 10 minutes, and I was quoted $78.30 per month for a policy with $1 million in professional liability coverage and a $1 million aggregate with a $500 deductible. The policy also carried $1 million in coverage for general liability with a $2 million aggregate.
Online, you can get a quote, purchase a policy, and obtain instant COIs. Hiscox has online access to policy documents and filing a claim 24/7. But if you need to speak with someone, its hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.
The complaints Hiscox has received are slightly higher than the national average with the NAIC. But on third-party site Feefo, the company does have positive ratings, with 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 1,200 reviews.
Thimble: Best for short-term & on-demand coverage
Pros
- Online dashboard with the ability to generate instant COIs
- Provides a mobile app for easy policy access and management
- Offers insurance for a wide range of industries
Cons
- Maximum coverage limits tend to be lower than some other companies
- Claims are not handled directly by Thimble
- Can be difficult to reach a live person in customer support
Standout features
- Ability to provide short-term, on-demand coverage when you need it
- Ability to purchase an online policy in just minutes
- Allows you to purchase policies from top-rated carriers
Financial stability: Thimble is a managing agent and offers policies through different carriers. According to Thimble’s Insurance Ratings page, all of its carriers are rated A- to A+ (Excellent) by AM Best.
Why I like Thimble
Thimble is a bit of a newer company that specializes in short-term insurance coverage. With it, you can get coverage by the hour, day, or month. It’s a great choice if you don’t need constant coverage, but only need coverage during specific time periods or jobs that you work. For this reason, it’s a fantastic option for freelancers, part-timers, or seasonal business owners.
With that being said, Thimble is still growing, and one of its downsides is the fact that it can be difficult to call and speak with a live agent. Rather, it prioritizes offering support via online chat and email during its normal business hours, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. If being able to speak with a live person is important to you, consider a carrier like The Hartford, which maintains a 24/7 call center.
It took me less than three minutes to get an online quote from Thimble. I was quoted $108 monthly for a beauty salon business based in Texas. This was for a BOP policy that contained $1 million in general liability coverage and $100,000 in business personal property coverage with a $500 deductible.
Thimble has a consistent history of delivering excellent customer service, evidenced by its 4.3-star rating on Trustpilot with over 2,100 reviews. It is also accredited with the Better Business Bureau, holding an A+ rating.
It also has a mobile app that provides 24/7 access to manage your policy. This includes filing claims and generating COIs. It can also be used to obtain additional quotes and purchase new policies.
Travelers: Best for custom BOPs
Pros
- It has a customer service ombudsman line.
- It has specific policies for salons and barbershops.
- It is available 24/7 for claims and customer service.
Cons
- It does not offer online quotes—you’ll have to go through an agent.
- NAIC complaints through 2024 are higher than the industry average.
- It has limited online account maintenance.
Standout features
- Offers over 20 coverage enhancements for salon insurance
- Provides a BOP that includes coverage for building structure and contents inside
- Has a strong financial rating to handle claims or large disasters
Financial stability: Travelers is a global insurer founded in 1864. As it has grown, it has continued to maintain a strong financial position. AM Best rated Travelers an A++ (Superior).
Why I like Travelers
Travelers, an established carrier with more than 150 years of experience providing insurance, specializes in creating BOPs for different industries that include key coverages with multiple options to customize. Travelers’ personal care services BOP automatically includes coverage for the following:
- Property
- General liability
- Professional liability
- Business income/extra expense
- Computer equipment data and media
The coverages come with a number of built-in enhancements. For example, the general liability includes host liquor liability, and the property coverage has a provision for $1,000 for signs.
Unfortunately, to get a quote, you will need to reach out to a local agent who works with Travelers. If you prefer a company that packages insurance targeted for your industry but allows you the convenience of purchasing it online, then check out Next Insurance.
For a quote, you’ll need to contact a local agent. Travelers does provide a way to locate an agent in your area using your ZIP code.
Travelers’ BOP property portion includes coverage for a dwelling, so if you have a brick-and-mortar salon and are looking to insure the structure and purchase coverages like water backup, you can do so through this company. Beyond the personal care services BOP, Travelers has other coverage options for your salon, including workers’ comp, commercial auto, employment practices liability insurance (EPLI), and umbrella.
The company also has two specialized BOPs: Power Pack and Power Pack Premier. These carry 40 additional enhancement options specific to the industry.
Travelers is available nationwide and maintains a 24/7 call center for claims and customer service. While everyone’s experience with a company may differ, it does have a high volume of complaints as reported by the NAIC, which is an indicator that a good portion of its clients have expressed dissatisfaction with areas of how it handles its policies and claims.
When it comes to convenience, it lags behind some of the other newer companies that have put an emphasis on the digital customer experience. You can manage your policy and file a claim online, but beyond that, the resources are limited.
How I evaluated the best beauty salon insurance companies
I determined the best beauty salon insurance companies using our in-house proprietary evaluation system. In evaluating these companies, I focused on the customer’s needs. I paid particular interest to convenience, financial ratings (AM Best), customer service, types of policies offered, and the overall experience as a policyholder with a specific provider. Here’s a quick breakdown of what I looked into:
- Convenience: Insurance carriers that scored well made it quick and easy to get a quote and purchase it online. The functionality of a mobile app was also considered in how it allowed clients to manage policies.
- Financial ratings: AM Best ratings were used to determine the financial strength of an insurance company. Companies that were rated more highly also scored better in our evaluation as they were deemed more able and likely to pay out claims.
- Customer service: This section considered customer ratings, reviews, and things like third-party ratings such as J.D. Power and NAIC complaint levels.
- Policies offered: In addition to evaluating whether an insurance company offered sufficiently high coverage amounts, we also considered the circumstances under which your business would be covered.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The cost of salon insurance depends on many factors, including what services you provide, claims history, revenue, and the number of employees. In our research, we found liability policies running from $96 to over $1,000 annually and BOP policies ranging from about $500 to over $1,000.
Salon insurance is a combination of policies that protect your beauty salon business. In particular, hair salon insurance coverage includes general liability, professional liability, commercial property, or workers’ compensation.
If you have one or more employees, workers’ compensation insurance is likely required, as most US states require the coverage. Beyond that, coverage is optional and depends on your specific situation — but the cost of not having insurance can be much greater than paying to be covered.
High quality software, including a good POS system, can be crucial in helping manage payments and customer information. Mangomint is our team’s top recommendation due to its overall ease of use, and Fresha is a good free alternative for those looking to save money. You can see options for other business needs in our roundup of the best beauty salon software.
Bottom line
When purchasing insurance for your beauty salon, it is convenient if the provider offers all the policies you need, handles the claims, and gives you one 24/7 point of contact for all of your claim needs. Simply Business is an excellent option to look into as it considers multiple insurance companies to help you find the best fit for your circumstances.
