Business

Why is Liability Insurance Important for Barbers?

You might be reading the title of this blog thinking to yourself, “well, sure, it’s about time the liability insurance company tries to sell me on their product.” That’s fair. 

Because, to be perfectly honest with you, we do want to sell you on our comprehensive barbering liability insurance. But it’s not just so we can make a quick buck–we want you to be covered because, let’s face it, you need coverage you can count on in this industry. 

But we’re not really “take our word for it and buy our insurance” kind of people. We want you to understand why liability insurance is such a dang big deal for professional barbers like you. So, we wrote up a little blog–and we think you should read it! 

Check out the top 5 reasons we believe that barbers like you need (seriously, need!) barbering liability insurance. 


The Top 5 Reasons Barbers Need Liability Insurance

Bad Things Happen & You’re on the Hook For Them

Like it or not, bad things happen–in this industry and outside of it. If something does happen–accidentally or even allegedly–you’re the one who’s going to be on the hook to deal with the repercussions. 

That means you’ve got to handle the financial implications, the payouts, the time your barbershop might be closed, scrambling to get your reputation back on track, proving you did or did not do something, court fees, legal work, etc. 

As you can see, the list goes on and on. Instead of pretending that bad things don’t happen, start recognizing that some stuff is out of your control–it’s better to prepare for the unlikely, unprecedented, and unpleasant than act like it’s never going to happen to you.  

Barbering Harbors Inherent Risks

Do you know the biggest reason of all you need liability insurance? Because being a barber means accepting inherent risk. We’re just going to come right out and say it–any time you work with people, you’re basically saying, “hey, risk–come on over!” Does this mean you shouldn’t be a barber? No way! But you should recognize that because of your job, you’re amassing a certain degree of liability that no matter what you do you simply cannot shake. Liability insurance is going to be that sweet spot that ensures that even though you’re taking on human risk, you’re covered should anything go wrong (or allegedly go wrong).  

Your Business & Your Future Depend on It 

Remember how we mentioned above that without liability insurance you’re on the hook for everything that happens? Well, let’s run with that concept for a moment. Picture a scenario in which an uninsured barber gets sued by a former client. 

That client alleges the barber did irreparable damage to them during the course of their haircut. Did the barber do it? Who knows– but it’s on them to deal with everything that comes after. That means court fees, legal bills, proof of innocence, and reputation rebuilding are up to them entirely. 

Now, imagine trying to rebuild your future after that. Wouldn’t it have been easier if they had a helping hand to guide them through the process and cover them financially throughout? 

In a word: totally. 

Rebuilding their future would have been substantially easier, and their career wouldn’t have taken such a heavy dip. 

It Might Be Required by Law or Landlord 

Everyone’s situation is different because these rules vary from city to county to state. 

But, in some cases, having verifiable liability insurance is required by either your location or your landlord. If you’re renting, it’s likely your landlord is going to want you to have a credible insurance plan so that if something happens, they’re not solely on the hook for everything–they want to know you’re smart enough to work with a reputable insurance company to protect you. 

And while many states or counties don’t require barbering liability insurance, some do. And TBH, even if they don’t, you should invest in liability insurance anyway. It’s easy to view this as an extra monthly or yearly cost, but in all honesty, it’s an investment into your longevity, career, and future. 

It’s a Smart & Credible Business Decision 

You wouldn’t run your business without a barbering license, right? Of course not. You want to people to know that you know what you’re doing. In fact, you probably have your cosmetology license strung up somewhere visible in the shop, right? Whether or not that’s required by law, it makes sense to have folks know you have a license, have been through training, and can offer expert services. 

Why? Because you want them to know you’re a professional who knows how to take care of them and your business. The same goes for liability insurance. Barbering liability insurance sometimes gets a bad reputation for being something only bad barbers need. The idea? That a good barber wouldn’t let something bad happen, so they don’t need a safety net. 

Newsflash, you guys, that’s not how it works. You could be the world’s best and most conscientious barber out there, but as we mentioned before, things can (and will) still happen–accidentally or allegedly. 

By investing in liability insurance for yourself, your career, your shop, and even your employees as additional insureds, you’re showing everyone that don’t just know what you’re doing, you know how to keep your business running smoothly no matter what happens. Having liability insurance isn’t just a smart investment; it’s one that shows your credibility and good sense. 


Do you feel like you’ve got a better idea of why we feel so strongly about this topic? We thought you might. If you’re ready for a barbering liability insurance plan that has you covered, look no further than NAOB. Our plans were designed for barbers, by barbers to cover your specific needs and unique risks for the barbering industry. 

Got questions? We’ve got answers. Reach out to our team to learn more. And don’t forget to subscribe to NAOB’s blog here and now!