Tattoo Parlor Insurance Ontario

What You Need to Know About Tattoo Parlour Insurance

As tattoos are becoming more accepted in the workplace, more people than ever are opting to have beautiful and unique artwork permanently etched onto their skin. And as customers put their trust in tattoo artists every day, it is your job to provide them with a safe and personal experience. 

But no matter how many precautions you take, there is always the chance of personal injury or accident claims, or even a claim from a customer who is unsatisfied with their tattoo. This is where having a comprehensive insurance policy comes in. While standard commercial insurance policies will cover the majority of risks your business will face, specialized tattoo parlour insurance policies are built to tackle their unique variables and liabilities. 

At Insurance Hero, our insurance experts know how to ask the right questions to ensure you get the exact coverage your business needs. By partnering with us, we guarantee we will find you high-quality, comprehensive insurance coverage at the best price.

Insurance Coverage Options

The key to great tattoo parlour insurance is building a policy that offers the exact type of protection your tattoo studio needs. As every business looks different, there are several coverage options you will want to consider carefully when putting your comprehensive insurance policy together. Whether you are a tattoo artist who operates out of your home or a tattoo parlour owner managing a team of employees, you should know that your business is protected.

What is tattoo parlour insurance?

In Ontario, tattoo parlour insurance is an enhanced business insurance policy that has been specially made for tattoo studios and artists. It is designed to protect the studio and its artists from distinct industry-related risks, such as damages, losses and lawsuits due to negligence, failing to deliver a service as advertised, injuries and more. 

Any tattoo studio or tattoo artist needs tattoo parlour insurance. It is vital for your business because of how many industry risks it comes face to face with daily. Without comprehensive insurance, you may find yourself responsible for paying a lot of money out of pocket to cover unexpected damages, court fees or accidents.

What does tattoo parlour insurance cover?

Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions insurance, is absolutely essential for any tattoo parlour. It is the most important coverage for you to have. It protects your business against claims of misconduct, negligence, failure to deliver a service or inadequate work. Professional liability covers:

• Errors, mistakes and oversights
• Failure to meet deadlines
• Failure to deliver your product/service as advertised
• Professional negligence or malpractice
• Failure to meet a standard of care
• Breach of contract

Commercial General Liability Insurance

Commercial general liability protects you, your business and your employees from legal liability against third-party bodily injury or property damage claims that occurred while a customer was at your tattoo parlour. It covers the costs of medical bills, legal fees, and repairs or replacements. This insurance policy also protects you against any advertising and reputational injuries (e.g., slander, libel, copyright infringement).

Commercial Property Insurance

Commercial property insurance protects your office and the contents inside (e.g., equipment, inventory, etc.) by covering the financial loss from such perils as:

• Property damage due to natural disasters, flood, fire, vandalism or theft.
• Property damage or theft of electronics, equipment, company documents or employees’ personal belongings.
• Inventory theft by employees.

Commercial property insurance can also include business interruption, which protects your business should you be unable to work due to an illness or injury and have to shut it down temporarily. This helps offset ongoing costs from income losses, such as bills, employee wages, etc.

Cyber Liability Insurance

Cyber and privacy liability insurance protects your business by covering damages and legal claims if your customer’s personal information is leaked or stolen due to a data breach or theft. As storing business information online has become standard practice, this has become an essential insurance policy for any business with customers to have.

What other coverages should you consider adding to your insurance policy?

Participant Accident/Liability Coverage

In the event that a customer is injured during a tattoo session or while still at your office and there is no fault or liability found, this policy will provide accident and medical coverage. It includes:

• Accidental death and dismemberment
• Accident para-medical expense 
• Permanent and total disability 
• Weekly accident indemnity 

Employment Practices Liability Insurance 

This policy protects your business against allegations and lawsuits from employees who claim their rights have been violated. Employment practices liability insurance protects you from employment-related claims, including, but not limited to, the following: 

• Wrongful termination
• Discrimination
• Gender issues
• Sexual harassment
• Violations of leave laws
• Accessibility 
• Performance review/promotion disputes

Business Insurance – Home-Based

If you run your tattoo studio out of your home instead of at a separate office, you must let your insurance provider know immediately. Standard home insurance will not cover any business-related accidents or losses, even if they occur in the home. 

Auto Insurance – Business Use

Some tattoo artists may also travel to their client’s homes. These artists will need to let their insurance provider know they will be using their vehicles for business purposes. You can likely add this to your personal auto insurance policy.

Equipment Breakdown Insurance

Tattoo parlours and artists have tools and equipment that are vital to the business, such as different tattoo guns, a foot switch, a spring clip cord, and a feeler gauge. Equipment breakdown insurance covers financial costs for equipment that need repairs or to be replaced due to internal damage. While you have some coverage for external event damage under commercial property insurance, this policy covers internal damages, such as power surges, motor burnout, electrical shorts, operator errors and mechanical breakdowns. 

Product Liability Insurance

Some tattoo parlours also sell retail products for their customers, such as branded merchandise with designs created by the artists and tattoo aftercare products. If a customer is injured by a product you sell to them, you could find yourself facing a lawsuit. Product liability insurance protects you against claims of bodily injury or property damage due to a product you manufacture, distribute or sell.