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Find insurance for hair salons in California
Learn about business insurance requirements and the most common policies for hair stylists and salon owners in California.
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What are the most common policies for California hair salons?
Hair stylists may need different types of insurance depending on the services they offer. These are the most popular insurance policies for California hair styling businesses and beauticians, which protect against financial losses from accidents and lawsuits.
General liability insurance
General liability coverage handles basic hair salon risks, such as spilling dye on a customer’s expensive clothing. Bundle with commercial property insurance for savings in a BOP.
BEST FOR
- Customer bodily injury
- Customer property damage
- Product liability insurance
Business owner’s policy
A BOP bundles general liability insurance and commercial property insurance at a discount. This is often one of the most cost-effective salon insurance policies.
BEST FOR
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Business property damage
- Business interruption coverage
Professional liability insurance
This policy covers lawsuits related to work performance, such as dissatisfaction over a client's hair dye or styling. This policy is also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O).
BEST FOR
- Lawsuits from dissatisfied customers
- Harm caused by a treatment
- Mistakes, such as using the wrong dye
Workers’ compensation insurance
Most states require workers' comp for salons that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work injury costs and legal fees that health insurance might deny.
BEST FOR
- Employee medical expenses
- Missed wages
- Employee injury lawsuits
Cyber insurance
Cyber insurance covers costs related to data breaches and cyberattacks. It's strongly recommended for hair salons that handle credit card numbers and other personal information.
BEST FOR
- Data breach notification costs
- Fraud monitoring services
- Cyber incident investigations
Commercial auto insurance
Commercial auto insurance covers the cost of accidents involving a vehicle owned by a hair salon. Most states require this coverage for vehicles owned by a business.
BEST FOR
- Property damage caused by your vehicle
- Legal costs from auto accidents
- Vehicle theft and vandalism
Looking for different coverage? See more policies.
Which policies are required for hair salons and stylists in California?
Whether you're in Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, or elsewhere in the state, hair salons in California often must carry the following types of insurance coverage to comply with laws:
Workers' compensation insurance
California state law requires hair and beauty salons with employees to provide workers’ compensation insurance, which covers medical bills for work-related injuries and occupational diseases. This policy is also recommended for sole proprietors, as health insurance can deny claims for injuries related to your job.
Workers' comp provides disability benefits to offset lost wages for California workers who are disabled or recovering from a job-related injury, such as if you slip and break an arm in your salon. Policies usually include employer's liability insurance, which covers legal costs if an employee sues their employer over an injury.
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Commercial auto insurance
State law requires commercial auto insurance for any vehicle owned by a business, including hair stylists and salons. This policy covers property damage and medical bills resulting from an accident. It can help pay for vehicle theft, weather damage, and vandalism, depending on the coverage options you choose.
All California vehicles must have the following car insurance, at a minimum:
- $30,000 for injury/death to one person
- $60,000 for injury/death to more than one person
- $15,000 for damage to property
If you or your hair stylists drive their personal vehicles for salon work, you'll need a different policy. Because personal auto insurance won't cover work-related driving, you'll need hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) in this situation, or if you rent or lease a vehicle used for business. You can often add this coverage to your general liability policy as an endorsement.
Do I need a hair salon or stylist license in California?
In California, anyone who provides cosmetology or barbering services—such as hair cutting, coloring, styling, or chemical treatments—must hold a valid license from the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BB&C).
Depending on your role, this could be a cosmetologist, barber, hairstylist, esthetician, electrologist, or manicurist license. Each license requires completing a state-approved training program and passing a licensing exam. Working without a license can lead to fines or penalties.
If you plan to operate a salon or barbershop, you’ll also need an Establishment License issued by the BB&C. This license is required even if you don’t personally perform services. Unlicensed owners may manage the business side, but they cannot wash hair, assist stylists, or provide any services to clients. Establishment licenses are tied to a specific location, so a new license is needed if you move or change ownership.
Home-based salons must also obtain an establishment license and meet state requirements such as having a separate entrance, sanitation setup, and compliance with local zoning or building codes.
Beyond licensing, owners should make sure their business is properly registered, secure any required seller’s permits if they sell products, comply with employment regulations, and maintain health and safety standards set by the BB&C.
What do hair salons in California pay for insurance?
Independent hairstylist insurance will cost less than coverage for a hair salon with several employees.
General liability: $35 per month
Business owner's policy: $70 per month
Workers' compensation: $63 per month
Factors that affect the hair salon insurance costs include:
- Services offered, such as haircuts, hair color, and waxing
- Value of business property
- Business income and size
- Location
- Types of business insurance purchased
- Policy limits, deductibles, and exclusions
- Additional coverages, such as additional insureds
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How do I get California hair salon and stylist insurance?
Insureon’s industry-leading technology helps hair salons in California save time and money shopping for insurance by comparing policies from top U.S. carriers. Start a free online application to review quotes for the policies that best fit your business. Our insurance agents are licensed in California and can answer your questions as you consider coverage.
To make the application go quicker, have this information ready:
- Workforce details, such as the number and types of employees
- Current and projected revenue
- Business partnerships
- Insurance history and prior liability claims
- Commercial lease insurance requirements
Apply for free insurance quotes today to find cheap salon and beauty insurance that fits your business needs. Most small business owners receive a certificate of insurance for proof of insurance the same day.