Body Piercing Insurance

Several factors affect insurance premiums for piercing shops during the underwriting process, such as:

• Type of services: The services you offer, such as piercing of ears, eyebrows, noses, navels, oral cavities, or nipples, or decorative tattoos, will affect how much you pay for insurance.
• Business property and equipment: Expect to pay more for insurance if you own a large shop, a hospital-grade autoclave, or expensive body jewelry.
• Annual revenue: Higher revenue usually means greater exposure to liability claims and larger potential losses, which can increase your insurance rates.
• Business location: Insurance costs can vary based on property values, litigation trends, crime rates, risk of severe weather, and the cost of doing business in your region.
• Coverage limits and deductibles: Higher policy limits cover more expensive claims at an increased cost, while a higher deductible lowers your premium. Remember, your policy won't activate until the deductible is paid.
• Claims history: Insurance companies charge higher rates for piercing shops that have previous insurance claims on their record.
• Number of employees: Each additional employee increases premiums because they each bring the risk of an injury or lawsuit.

There are no federal mandates for body piercers, but each region has its own regulations.

In most cases, you'll need the following to do piercings:

• Business license. You will need a standard business license to operate legally in most regions.
• Body art license. Some states may require you to obtain a body art license in order to work as a piercer.
• Bloodborne pathogens certification: State licensing agencies and local health departments usually require piercers, tattoo artists, and permanent makeup artists to take a course on bloodborne pathogens in order to prevent communicable diseases.
• CPR and first aid certification. Local health codes and professional organizations may require you to maintain current CPR and first aid certifications.
• Hepatitis B vaccination: Some states require proof of Hepatitis B vaccination or an exemption form, due to the risks inherent to your work.
• Coursework or an apprenticeship program: You often need to have sufficient experience or education in order to get registered or licensed as a piercer.

Even when they're not required, these qualifications show clients that you're a professional piercer, which can help bring in work and justify higher rates for your services.

Body piercers should always carry general liability and professional liability coverage (also called malpractice insurance) to protect against costly injuries and legal fees. In some cases, you may need liability coverage to run your business.

Here's a quick breakdown of the importance of these business insurance policies:

• General liability insurance covers common third-party lawsuits, such as a client who slips and falls on a broken step at your business. You might need proof of insurance to rent a space, sign a contract, or comply with local regulations.
• Professional liability insurance pays for lawsuits related to professional negligence. For example, a client might sue over an improperly sterilized piercing that caused an infection. Property owners and licensing boards may require proof of this coverage as well.

Because they cover different risks, both general liability and professional liability may be necessary to fully protect your business. Often, landlords require body artists to list them as an additional insured on their policy, as this endorsement protects them from medical bills, property damage claims, and legal costs related to your business operations.

The high cost of litigation makes liability insurance crucial for every piercing business, even if you're a sole proprietor. Otherwise, a single accident or dissatisfied client could potentially bankrupt your business.

A piercing shop's liability coverage typically protects employees who work there. However, it's smart to carry your own policy to make sure you have adequate protection, as the shop's policy will protect its own interests first.

A shop owner might ask you to carry your own coverage as a condition of working there, especially if you're a contractor. In that case, they might ask you to list them as an additional insured on your policy, which protects the shop against lawsuits related to your piercing services.

Keep in mind, working as a piercer brings a high risk of injury to your customers and yourself. It's important to carry general liability insurance for financial protection against customer injuries, and workers' compensation insurance to protect yourself against costly medical bills from needlesticks and other job-related injuries.

If your shop offers both tattoo services and body piercing services, then make sure your policies cover the relevant risks for all of the procedures.

For a comprehensive risk management strategy, businesses that offer piercings and tattoos should consider several additional policies, such as:

• Commercial property insurance covers costs if your building, body jewelry inventory, or piercing equipment is damaged or lost due to a fire, storm, or burglary.
• Business personal property (BPP) coverage insures movable assets such as your inventory and equipment. If you don't have a building, you can add this policy to your general liability insurance.
• Business interruption insurance, also called business income insurance, covers loss of earnings and daily operating expenses if a covered property claim forces your business to temporarily close.
• Product liability insurance provides financial protection if a body piercing or other product causes an allergic reaction or other harm that leads to a lawsuit. It's usually included in general liability insurance.
• Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) insurance provides liability protection for vehicles that your business uses but does not own. That includes personal, leased, and rented vehicles.

Owners of piercing businesses can take steps to reduce their insurance premiums. Here are several ways to keep your costs low:

• Shop around. Insurance carriers often sell similar types of coverage at different rates. To find a good price, compare insurance rates from trusted carriers with Insureon's easy online application.
• Choose payments that work for you. You can choose to pay your premium once a month or once a year. Some insurers offer a discount when you pay the full annual premium, but business owners may find small monthly amounts easier. You can select a payment schedule that works best for your budget and cash flow.
• Work with an agent. Our licensed agents can help you find coverage that fits your risks and your budget, without any add-ons you don't need. They can also navigate the insurance market to find cost-saving bundles and the best rates for your business.
• Keep continuous coverage. Stopping and starting coverage is a red flag for insurers, and may end up costing more in the long run.
• Customize your policies. Lower limits and higher deductibles can reduce your premium, but make sure you can easily afford the deductible, as it must be paid in full before you can collect on a claim.
• Manage your risks. Employee training, proper sterilization techniques, and other risk management strategies can help you avoid accidents, injuries, and subsequent lawsuits.