Skip to main content
  • Claims Center
  • Contact Us
  • Español
  • Brokers & Agents
Hiscox Insurance
Menu Toggle
  • Home
  • Small Business Insurance Toggle Menu Toggle Menu
  • Why Hiscox Toggle Menu Toggle Menu
  • Resources Toggle Menu Toggle Menu
  • Policy Management Toggle Menu Toggle Menu
  • Claims Center
  • Contact Us
  • Español
  • Brokers & Agents
  • About
  • Get a Quote Get a Quote
  • About
  • Get a Quote Get a Quote
  • Blog Home
    Start Your Business
    Grow Your Business
    Protect Your Business
    Celebrate Courage
    Search

    Twenty-Four Seven

    Sign up to get the latest small business news delivered right to your inbox.
    Protect Your Business
    April 16, 2018
    male hairdresser and female client in salon

    5 Vital Tips to Prevent Lawsuits and Accidents in Your Hair Salon

    Industry Spotlight | Insurance 101
    By: Hiscox Blog

    Share Image

    Embed Image

    Copy

    Share Article:

    When you give a client the hair they've always wanted, they will remain loyal for years. The stakes can get much higher, though, if something goes wrong in the salon. All it takes is one tiny slip with the scissors, one slip on the floor, or the mistake of leaving those chemicals on a client's head for just a little too long to create serious legal claims against hairdressers. That’s why many hairdressers turn to insurance for hairdressers.

    Can you sue a hairdresser for damaging your hair? The truth is that people can and often do.

    For example, back in 2014, Women's Health magazine reported that Brazilian model Ikeda sued the famous New York City salon J. Sisters for $1.5 million when she got chemical scalp burns and bald spots that ended her modeling career and caused "emotional trauma." Don't become one of those salons mentioned in the tabloids.

    Top 5 hair salon misfortunes you can prevent

    1. Don't let your clients feel they're victims of overzealous cutting

    To better ensure client satisfaction, keep communication lines open so that you’re both on the same page about what the client wants out of their haircut. You could even establish a rule that you always have a quick consultation before a haircut to ensure you’re applying the right services depending on your client’s hair type and the style they want.

    If your professional opinion differs from what the client wants, make sure to clearly state why you think that, but ultimately it is the client’s decision.

    2. Don't send clients home with an unintended hair color

    Since everyone's hair colors differently, discuss a client's options before jumping to pick out a color formula. Ask your client if they notice their hair breaking often to get an idea how sensitive their hair is to dyes. Many people use a box dye at home and forget to tell their stylist that it's still in their hair, so always ask your client if they’ve used at-home dye to determine the strength of the dye you'll need to use.

    Also, whenever someone books an appointment to color their hair, remind them to bring a photo of the kind of hair they want when they come in. It's the most effective form of communication. Then, tell the client how much upkeep the style they're asking for requires to help them decide if this new look is really what they want.

    It doesn't hurt to make a photo album for your salon to illustrate hair coloring definitions so that your clients can point to what they want if they can't describe it to you. Most people won't be able to tell you the difference between "ombré" and "sombré" coloring techniques unless you can show them what it looks like.

    3. Prevent heat or chemical damage to hair

    You know that coloring hair requires chemicals that often cause some amount of damage to hair, but your client might not. If you dye their hair before treating any damage, your client might comment that it looks weaker. It's always a good idea to explain  about why your client needs a conditioning treatment before coloring damaged hair.

    Since they may forget to mention it to you, you should remember to ask clients when, if ever, they've used a keratin straightener.

    4. Reduce the risk of injuries

    Slips and falls can happen at any time and may lead to accidentally cutting yourself or a client. Make sure that you have policies in place to keep your floor swept and dry at all times to minimize these risks. Check your chairs regularly to make sure they don't need repairs, and make sure that all of your client's valuables or anything else they could trip over stay out of your work area.

    5. Prevent chemical burns

    Many good salons can stay busy all day, so it's easy to forget how long a chemical treatment has been sitting on your client's hair when you're attending to many different things at once. However, once you've burned a client's scalp and their hair starts falling out, they may never trust you or your salon again.

    That's why you should use a timer every time.

    Check the client's scalp before applying a product that could cause a chemical burn. Look out for any sores or signs of irritation and point them out to your client. You may need to reschedule with them for their own safety, and they will appreciate your concern.

    Protect your salon against liabilities

    No matter how much you try to prevent these common claims against hairdressers, it's also important to prepare yourself for accidents with the right insurance. If you wait until the worst has already happened, it will be too late to save yourself from a mountain of legal fees. Professional liability insurance is both practical and affordable, so take a moment to consider what it can save you from.

    These professional liability insurance options from Hiscox can protect you from lawsuits due to many different hairstylist incidents:

    • Hiscox provides insurance coverage for beauty professionals, including general liability and professional liability
    • professional liability coverage protects against claims of negligence, emotional trauma, lost wages, and leaking of sensitive client data
    • general liability coverage protects you from claims of property damage, bodily injury and associated medical expenses, and slander.

    By following the tips mentioned above and choosing the right insurance protection for claims against hairdressers, your salon will have the most important tools needed to serve your clientele better.

    Protect Your Business

    Protect the business you’ve worked so hard to build. Get a fast, free quote and your business could be covered today.

    Get a Quote
    Get a Quote
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Related Articles

    5 Min Read
    Small business owners in capes, protecting what they've built from impacts of recession

    Ideas on how to make your business recession-proof

    Management | Entrepreneur

    Here’s what you need to know about the recession and some things you can do to reduce its impact on your small business.

    Read More

    4 Min Read
    sole proprietor learning what insurance policies are best for her business.

    Useful information on the best insurance for sole proprietors

    Insurance 101 | Entrepreneur

    As a sole proprietor, were you aware that you should have business insurance? Get the details on what type of policies are best for your small business needs.

    Read More

    3 Min Read
    Man sits on couch with telehealth professional on laptop

    Telehealth: Risks and rewards for your healthcare business – and what comes next

    Management | Cyber

    Many health and wellness providers are offering their services virtually. Here’s what you need to know about the risks, rewards, and future of telehealth. 

    Read More


    We’re here to help.
    We provide tailored insurance for the specific risks you face, so you can take the right risks to grow your business.
    Get a Quote
    Get a Quote

    Footer menu 1

    • What We Cover
      • Business Insurance
      • General Liability Insurance
      • Professional Liability Insurance
      • Errors and Omissions
      • Cyber Security Insurance
      • Workers Compensation
      • Other Coverage
    • Who We Cover
      • Small Business Owners
      • LLC
      • Sole Proprietors
      • Entrepreneurs
      • Side Hustle
      • Contractors
      • Home Businesses
    • For Our Customers
      • Refer a Friend Program
      • Covid-19 Response
      • Claims Center
    • For Business Owners
      • Save with our Partners
    • About Hiscox
      • About Us
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
      • Hiscox Corporate
      • Investors
      • Foundation
      • Newsroom
      • We Stand Together
      • Affiliate Partner Program

    Footer menu 2

    • Accessibility
    • Site Map
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Legal Notices
    • Español

    Feefo Reviews: Hiscox rated 4.7/5 with 1,067 reviews between January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023

    * Any cost, premium, or coverage stated before an official customer quote are estimates and an approximation and are not guaranteed. Actual cost, premium, and coverage are subject to the unique considerations of each individual risk. Customer quotes are based on the information provided to Hiscox, and are subject to required underwriting and rating factors. Until an official customer quote is provided, all communication on this website or advertisement is provided as an example for informational purposes only, and is neither an offer nor a guarantee of available premium or coverage. Any coverage afforded by the products described are subject to and governed by the terms and conditions of each policy issued. This information may not be used to modify any policy that might be issued. Any information provided to assist in understanding the coverage we offer does not modify any insurance policy, nor does it imply that any claim is covered.

    © 2023 Hiscox Inc. All rights reserved. Underwritten by Hiscox Insurance Company Inc., 30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 1760, Chicago, IL 60602. As of December 31, 2021, HICI had admitted assets of $1,250,758,353 and policyholders surplus of $332,792,666. Total liabilities were $917,965,687 (inclusive of $433,752,764 of loss reserves) and paid-up capital stock was $4,242,000.

    icon-facebook
    icon-youtube
    icon-twitter
    icon-linkedin