Massage therapist insurance
Find out how business insurance can cover massage therapists
What is ‘massage therapist insurance’?
‘Massage therapy insurance’ isn’t a product on its own; rather, it refers to a set of business insurance covers in Australia that can financially protect massage therapists and their businesses from various potential risks, including liability claims, property damage, equipment malfunctions and more.
As a massage therapist, your hands are not just your tools; they are your livelihood. You offer healing, relaxation and wellness to your clients, but in the process, you’re exposed to a variety of business risks. Whether you’re a sole trader operating a small business from home, renting a room in a clinic or running your own massage therapy business, business insurance can provide you with peace of mind by ensuring that you’re covered for unexpected incidents while providing professional services.
Why do I need business insurance as a massage therapist?
The general advice is that despite working in a caring and low-impact profession, massage therapists still face a unique set of risks; having business insurance can help you mitigate these risks and protect your massage therapy business. Some of the more common risks may include:
- Accidental injury to clients: A client may claim they were injured during treatment and seek compensation.
- Allergic reactions: A client may have a reaction to massage oils or creams used during the massage treatment.
- Professional errors: Even with the best intentions, you may be accused of negligence or misconduct.
- Damage to property: Whether at your clinic or a client’s location, property can be damaged during a session.
- Equipment theft or damage: Your massage table, oils, hot stone kits and other essential equipment can be costly to replace.
- Business interruption: Natural disasters or unforeseen events can stop you from working and earning an income.
Types of massage therapist business insurance
Public liability cover
Public liability insurance protects business owners if someone is injured, or their property is damaged because of your business activities. Having a public liability insurance policy for a massage business is also crucial, as it safeguards the salon and its employees from the unfortunate occurrence of a customer sustaining a physical injury while on the salon’s premises.
For example, if a client slips on an oily floor in your clinic, public liability insurance can cover legal costs and compensation.
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance covers you against claims of professional negligence, malpractice or professional misconduct. If a client alleges that your treatment caused them harm or worsened their condition, this insurance may help cover your legal advice, defences and payouts ordered.
Product liability insurance
If you sell or provide products like massage oils or creams, you could be held liable if these products cause harm to a client, such as allergic reactions. Product liability insurance helps protect you in such cases.
Business equipment insurance
Business equipment insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing stolen, lost or damaged equipment. As a massage therapist, your tools are not only expensive but also essential to your work.
Business interruption insurance
If you’re unable to work due to injury or insured events, this type of insurance can provide an income stream to help you meet living expenses while you recover.
Choosing the right insurance policy
Business insurance may seem like an extra cost, but the insurance coverage is a strategic investment in your business’s stability and future. It allows you to focus on your clients and grow your practice with confidence, knowing that you’re protected from the unexpected.
Not all insurance policies are created equal. When selecting your insurance cover, you should look for an insurance package that offers insurance specifically tailored for massage therapists. Work with a specialist insurance broker and compare quotes from different reputable Australian insurers. Make sure the policy that you choose has limits that are high enough to cover worst-case scenarios in your financial situation.
Always read the policy wording in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determination (TMD) to know your policy inclusions and exclusions, and whether the policy is the right fit for you.
Meet our business insurance expert, Adrian Taylor
As a General Insurance expert with over 13 years’ experience in financial services, Adrian Taylor strongly believes in the protection and peace of mind that all types of business insurance provide business owners. Adrian says this type of cover can be the difference between a business staying afloat and going under if trouble arises.