Makeup artist insurance

Insurance for makeup artists is business cover designed for the needs of people in this profession. It can protect you if something goes wrong as well as cover your equipment if it’s lost or stolen.

Protect your business with a pay as you go monthly subscription

• Get covered in less than 10 minutes
• Adapt or cancel your policy at any time. No penalties
• Cover starts from just £5.13 per month

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Why do makeup artists need insurance?

From weddings and photo shoots to fashion shows and big parties, the work of a makeup artist can vary massively. But if something goes wrong – for instance if a client has an allergic reaction to one of your products or your makeup is stolen – it can make a big difference if you have the right cover in place.

What insurance does a makeup artist need?

A common thing all makeup artists are likely to need is cover for makeup, beauty products and other related equipment. You’ll probably also need professional indemnity insurance and public liability cover.

Depending on where you work, you might also need to consider things like employers’ liability insurance and product liability cover. You can read more about all of these types of cover further down the page.

What’s included in makeup artist insurance?

Policy specifications will vary by insurer and depend on the level of cover you choose to suit your needs. But business insurance for makeup artists can include the following:

• Makeup artist equipment insurance. This covers the cost of replacing or repairing your business essentials if any of them are damaged or stolen.
• Professional indemnity insurance. Indemnity insurance covers you if something goes wrong with a client or if they’re not happy with the results and then make a claim of negligence. This type of policy can help with legal costs and compensation payments, up to the limit of your policy.
• Public liability insurance. If you’re working in a salon and something goes wrong with a client or if you’re in their home and accidentally damage something, makeup artist public liability insurance will protect you against the cost of any claims for accidental injury or property damage.

Depending on whether you have a salon or you work as a mobile makeup artist, you might also need to consider some of the following:

• Employers’ liability insurance. If you employ staff, you’re legally required to take out employers’ liability cover to protect yourself and your employees in case legal action is taken against you.
• Libel and slander cover. This protects you if a client or someone else makes a libellous or slanderous comment about you or your business.
• Product liability cover. If you supply a faulty product to a customer and they then hold you responsible, product liability can cover legal defence costs.

What equipment is covered by makeup artist insurance?

This depends on the type of policy and your requirements, but most makeup artist insurance policies will include cover for the following:

• Makeup
• Brushes
• Lotions and oils
• Eyelash extensions and other accessories
• Tweezers and other beauty products

These are just a few examples of equipment that can be included in your makeup artist insurance. Some policies might also offer cover while your equipment is in your car or van and for temporary work while you’re abroad.

If you have a salon or work from your home and there’s an event like a flood or fire, you can also take out business contents cover that will pay for the repair of fixtures and fittings if anything is damaged.

What isn’t covered?

Some policies don’t cover semi-permanent or permanent makeup application or pigmentation. So if you offer these services, make sure you go for a policy that covers these.

How much cover do I need?

This will depend on your personal requirements. Most insurers will give you different options for cover limits, so if you have a lot of expensive makeup, you’ll want to set your limit higher. This might mean paying higher premiums, but there’s no point in getting makeup artist insurance cover if it falls short of your needs.

When it comes to indemnity and liability cover limits, consider the circumstances you work in. For example, if you often work in busy locations or if you travel abroad for work, these will influence how much cover you need.

Common claims examples

• Wedding dress disaster. You’re at a client’s house doing their makeup ahead of their big day. You accidentally drop a pot of liquid eyeliner all down the side of the bride’s dress. The bride wears the dress but says she’ll need to get it professionally cleaned. She’s within her rights to ask you to pay for the cleaner. Having makeup artist public liability insurance will cover this cost for you.
• Stolen on set. You’ve just finished work on the set of a photoshoot. You leave your suitcase full of makeup in what you think is a safe place while you go for a well-deserved cup of tea. When you return, the case is gone, along with all your equipment. Having insurance will cover the cost of replacing all of your makeup and equipment, so you can get back to work as soon as possible.

Bottom line

Being a makeup artist gives you the opportunity to work with different people and help them to feel special. However, sometimes things can go wrong. Having makeup artist insurance can give you peace of mind that you’re covered and can get things back to normal as soon as possible.

Frequently asked questions:

• Does makeup artist insurance cover all types of makeup application?

  This depends on the policy, but generally they cover standard makeup application, any work on eyebrows and eyelashes, and face and body painting. However, not all policies cover semi-permanent or permanent makeup applications. So if that’s one of the things you offer, make sure you’re covered for it.

• I do additional beauty therapy treatments, not just makeup. Can I get cover for these, too?

  Most providers will let you add other treatments to your makeup artist insurance policy for an additional premium. This includes treatments such as body massage, spray tanning, manicures and pedicures, waxing and facial care.

• Do I need to send my relevant qualifications to the provider?

  Providers generally won’t ask you to send copies of your qualifications to take out makeup artist insurance. But most will require you to be qualified to at least a level 2 in the treatments you provide in order to be covered.

• What is the best makeup artist insurance?

  This will depend on the specific needs of your business. Many insurance companies offer insurance for makeup artists, so you just need to shop around to find the best option for you. If you like, you can get a quote from our partner Simply Business to see what kind of deal it can offer you on makeup artist insurance.