Nail Salon Insurance: What Coverage You Need to Protect Your Salon in 2026

If you are opening a nail salon in the United States or currently running one, having the right insurance is not just important, it’s essential. Nail salons face unique risks every day, from slip-and-fall accidents to chemical spills, fires, product reactions, and employee injuries. One unexpected incident can cost thousands of dollars and potentially shut down your business. This guide explains exactly what insurance you need for a nail salon, how much it costs, and why every salon owner should carry the right coverage.

1. Why Nail Salons Need Insurance

Nail salons deal with customers directly, use chemicals, operate electrical equipment, and maintain a physical location. This creates exposure to:

• Liability lawsuits

• Property damage

• Customer injuries

• Employee injuries

• Fire, electrical, or equipment damage

• Theft or vandalism

• Lease requirements from landlords

Most landlords require proof of insurance before giving you the keys to the space. Banks also require insurance for SBA loans. These risks make insurance essential for business protection and for meeting landlord requirements before opening your salon. New salon owners can learn more about general business regulations and startup guidelines on the U.S. Small Business Administration website (https://www.sba.gov/business-guide).

2. Essential Insurance Coverages for Nail Salons

A. General Liability Insurance

This is the #1 must-have coverage.
It protects you if a customer gets injured or sues you.

General Liability covers:

• Slip-and-fall accidents

• Customer injuries

• Damage to customer personal property

• Lawsuits & attorney fees

💡 Landlords almost always require:
$1,000,000 liability / $2,000,000 aggregate
and
Additional Insured endorsement

B. Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions)

This covers mistakes during nail services, including:

• Cuts

• Burns

• Infections

• Allergic reactions

• Claims of negligence or poor service

If a customer says, “You hurt my finger,” or “Your powder caused a reaction,” this is the coverage that protects you.

C. Business Owner Policy (BOP)

A BOP (Business Owner Policy) combines Liability + Property Insurance at a lower price.

BOP covers:

• Fire

• Theft

• Water damage

• Equipment damage

• Furniture, chairs, tools

• Nail supplies

• Lost income from a covered loss

Nail salons should always consider a BOP instead of basic liability.

D. Property Insurance

If you own or lease the space, this covers:

• Furniture

• Pedicure chairs

• Nail tables

• Inventory & supplies

• Computers & POS

• Decorations

• Backroom appliances

Landlords may require property coverage depending on the lease.

E. Workers’ Compensation

Required if you have employees.
Covers:

• Employee injuries

• Medical bills

• Lost wages

Booth renters usually do not count as employees, but this depends on state laws.

F. Additional Optional Coverages

These protect your business from deeper risks:

• Cyber Liability (credit card data breach)

• Commercial Umbrella (extra liability protection)

• Equipment Breakdown

• Hired & Non-Owned Auto (if employees run errands)

• Liquor Liability (if your salon serves wine/champagne)

G. Builder’s Risk vs BOP: What You Need During Build-Out

If your nail salon is still under construction or build-out — such as removing walls, repainting, installing plumbing/electrical, setting up pedicure chairs, or building rooms — you should NOT purchase a BOP yet.

This is because a BOP does NOT cover construction-related risks, including:

• Damage to walls, floors, or ceilings during renovation

• Water damage while plumbing is unfinished

• Electrical issues during installation

• Fire during construction

• Stolen materials or equipment on-site

• Damage caused by contractors

• Equipment not yet permanently installed

For this phase, the correct protection is Builder’s Risk Insurance, which covers:

• Materials

• Equipment during installation

• Fire/water damage during construction

• Theft during build-out

• Accidental damage caused by workers

👉 Buy Builder’s Risk during construction.
Buy BOP only when your salon is fully built and ready to open.

This prevents claim denials and ensures you’re covered at every stage.

H. Does BOP Cover Social Media Issues? (Customer Images/Video)

This is one of the most misunderstood areas for salon owners.

A BOP does NOT cover problems related to posting customers on social media, including:

• Posting videos or photos of clients without permission

• Livestreaming while clients are visible

• Using a client’s image for advertising without consent

• A client claiming privacy violation

• Complaints after being featured on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc.

These situations fall under:

➡️ Privacy Violation
➡️ Personal & Advertising Injury Exclusions

Almost every commercial insurance carrier excludes these claims.

To stay safe:

• Always ask before filming or posting

• Avoid showing customers’ faces

• Post nails/hands only

• Do not livestream when clients are in the background

• Remove content immediately if a client requests it

👉 No insurance company (under a standard BOP) will pay for a social media/privacy lawsuit.

If your salon serves champagne/wine, the risk is even higher and you need Liquor Liability separately.

3. How Much Does Nail Salon Insurance Cost?

Here are the average price ranges:

Factors affecting cost:

• Location (TX, FL, CA, etc.)

• Square footage

• Number of employees

• Services offered (nails only? lashes? waxing?)

• Claims history

• Equipment value

4. Do Nail Technicians Need Their Own Insurance?

Yes — if you are a booth renter or 1099 contractor, you must carry your own professional liability insurance.

Average cost: $350/year
Worth every dollar.

5. Do I Need LLC for Insurance?

No, you do not need an LLC to buy insurance.
But LLC + insurance gives you the strongest protection.

6. What Coverage Does My Landlord Require?

Most landlords require nail salons to carry:

• $1M General Liability

• Additional Insured endorsement

• Waiver of Subrogation

• Property coverage (if required by lease)

Aqua Tree Insurance prepares all required ACORD 25 & 28 certificates.

7. How Aqua Tree Insurance Helps Nail Salons

Aqua Tree Insurance specializes in policies for:

• Nail salons

• Beauty spas

• Esthetician suites

• Lash studios

• Massage & day spas

We work with multiple carriers to find the best price and coverage for you. Learn more about all types of business insurance we offer through our Commercial Insurance page.
We speak Vietnamese & English — perfect for first-time salon owners.

8.Get a Free Nail Salon Insurance Quote

Protect your business with the right coverage designed for nail salons. Our team can help you compare prices, understand landlord requirements, and choose the best policy for your needs.

📞 Call us: 832-699-6838
🌐 Visit our website: aquatreeinsurance.com
📩 Contact us online: Contact Us

We offer fast quotes, bilingual support (English & Vietnamese), and multiple carrier options for the best pricing.

Để mở tiệm nail ở Mỹ, bạn cần mua những loại bảo hiểm sau:

1. General Liability (bắt buộc để ký lease) – bảo vệ khi khách bị té, bị thương.

2. Professional Liability – đền khi lỗi tay nghề (cắt, phỏng, nhiễm trùng).

3. Business Owner Policy (BOP) – bảo hiểm tài sản + bảo hiểm trách nhiệm.

4. Workers’ Comp – nếu có nhân viên.

5. Property Insurance – bảo vệ ghế spa, bàn nail, đồ nghề.

6. Additional Insured – landlord yêu cầu

Aqua Tree Insurance hỗ trợ người Việt mở tiệm – làm hồ sơ nhanh, hiểu lease, và nói tiếng Việt dễ trao đổi.