Insurance & Risk Management Playbook

Coverage essentials

Use these core policies as your baseline:

Policy	What it covers	Notes
General liability	Client injuries, property damage	Required even if you rent a suite
Professional liability (malpractice)	Service errors (chemical burns, cut injuries)	Often bundled with professional association memberships
Business personal property	Tools, furniture, color inventory	Confirm limits match your tool investment log
Business interruption	Lost revenue after fire, flood, mandatory shutdown	Requires good bookkeeping to prove income

Quick audit checklist

1. List every tool worth more than $200 in your maintenance log.
2. Confirm policy limits cover total replacement cost. Adjust yearly.
3. Store digital copies of policies in a secure shared folder.
4. Add insurer contact info and claim steps to your front desk binder.

Incident response script

• Stabilize the client: provide first aid, call medical help if needed.
• Document: take photos, record client statement, capture stylist notes.
• Notify insurer: call the claims line the same day.
• Log follow up: update the incident in your sanitation/maintenance record.

Negotiating coverage

• Bundle policies through a salon-focused broker for lower premiums.
• Show your written SOPs (see Salon Chain SOP Integration) to negotiate better rates.
• Ask about left-handed or ergonomic tool coverage if you use high-value shears.

Annual review meeting agenda

1. Compare actual claims vs. coverage.
2. Update inventory totals and revenue numbers.
3. Evaluate new services (e.g., razor shaves, thermal tools) and add endorsements if needed.
4. Schedule next review 12 months out.

Insurance is easier when your documentation is tidy and current—set a quarterly reminder to refresh logs and photos of your setup.