Working as a nail technician—whether in a London salon, on-the-go in clients’ homes, or as a mobile freelancer—offers flexibility and creativity. But it also involves risk. From allergic reactions, slips or trips, to equipment damage and treatment errors, the potential for costly claims is real.
At Fraser Bond, we help nail professionals understand how insurance fits into their business and covers the specific exposures faced in London’s competitive property and beauty market.
Nail technician insurance is a tailored set of cover options specifically for professionals providing manicures, pedicures, gel overlays, extensions, mobile treatments and salon-based nail services.
The core covers typically include:
Public Liability Insurance – Protects you if a client, visitor or member of the public suffers injury or property damage because of your business activities.
Treatment Risk / Professional-Treatment Liability – Covers claims arising from the cosmetic or nail treatment itself (e.g., allergic reaction, damaged nail bed) that go beyond standard public liability.
Product & Materials Liability – If you sell or supply products and a client suffers damage or loss from them.
Tools & Equipment / Contents Cover – Protects your essential kit (UV lamps, drills, polishes) from theft, damage or loss, particularly important for mobile techs.
Employers’ Liability Insurance – Required under UK law if you employ staff (including apprentices) and liable for any work-related injury or illness.
In London’s beauty and property market, nail technicians operate in an environment with unique risk factors:
High-value client property and furnishings (e.g., mobile treatments in premium homes) where damage or loss can be expensive.
Frequent mobile work or home-visits, increasing variables such as unfamiliar environments, equipment transportation, or client-premises liability.
Direct client contact and use of chemicals or specialist equipment means treatment-risk is elevated.
Salon leases, contract work or property managers may require proof of insurance before you can trade.
Without the right insurance in place you’re personally liable for claims, which can impact your business, reputation and ability to trade.
For nail technicians in the UK, some indicative benchmarks:
Policies start from very modest premiums: one provider shows quotes from £35/year for basic cover (treatment risk + public liability) for mobile/freelance techs.
Another shows starting public liability cover from £5.64/month for nail techs.
Cover limits typically: Public Liability £1 million-£5 million; Treatment Risk £500,000-£1 million or more.
Premiums depend on: service scope (gel extensions, mobile vs salon), turnover, equipment value, number of employees, location (London may carry premium).
Key cost-drivers and considerations: mobile working, high-value clients or premises, offering additional beauty services beyond nails (which may require broader cover).
Fraser Bond recommends the following approach:
Define your scope of work – Are you salon-based or mobile? Do you offer standard manicures or advanced services (gel extensions, acrylics, mobile event work)?
Check contractual requirements – If you work in a salon or provide services in client properties, ensure the cover meets any landlord or property-manager obligations.
Ensure treatment risk cover is included – Public liability alone may not cover a claim arising from a treatment error/allergy.
Choose appropriate cover limits – Match the risk: mobile tech in high-end London homes may benefit from higher limits.
Include equipment and stock cover – If your kit is valuable and mobile, tool protection is important.
Verify employment cover – If you hire someone, Employers’ Liability is mandatory.
Read exclusions and policy wording – For example, ensure that all treatments you offer are covered, that mobile working away from your base is included, and that exclusions for certain chemicals or extensions are understood.
Review annually and update as you grow – As you add services, locations or equipment, your insurance should evolve.
Keep your certificate and policy documents ready – Many salons, property managers or clients will ask for proof of cover before you begin work.
While Fraser Bond is known for property-sales, lettings, investment and compliance advisory, our expertise also supports beauty-professionals working within property workflows (mobile home-visits, salons in leased premises, service-contracts). We can help by:
Advising on how your insurance aligns with the property risk, client contracts and your business strategy in London.
Reviewing policy documents and cover levels to ensure you’re not exposed to gaps.
Helping you present your credentials (including proof of insurance) to salons, landlords and clients, boosting your credibility and reach.
Monitoring your business growth and ensuring that your insurance remains fit-for-purpose.
Whether you’re a mobile nail technician, salon operator or beauty professional offering nail services in London, protect your business, equipment and reputation with the right insurance.
Visit Fraser Bond.com or contact our London advisory team for expert guidance on nail tech insurance, quote review and risk alignment.
