Short answer: Hair salons in Maryland typically carry general liability, professional liability, property or a business owners policy, and workers’ compensation once they have employees — in Maryland, workers’ comp is required from the first employee. Licensing runs through the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists (barbers are licensed by the Maryland State Board of Barbers). Get Multiple Quotes within minutes.

What Maryland requires of hair salons

Maryland requires workers’ compensation from the first employee.

Hair salons in Maryland are regulated by the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists (barbers are licensed by the Maryland State Board of Barbers). Underwriters ask about licenses and training, so make sure every service you offer is within the license of the person performing it.

Suburban Maryland shopping centers often require tenants to insure their own improvements and name the landlord as additional insured. No state law mandates general liability, but nearly every commercial lease does.

Coverage checklist for hair salons in Maryland

• General liability — slips, trips and client property damage in the salon.
• Professional liability — chemical services, color corrections and burns.
• Property or a business owners policy — chairs, shampoo units, dryers, retail product and your build-out.
• Workers’ compensation — assistants, shampoo techs and front-desk staff.
• EPLI and Cyber liability — staff disputes and booking or card data.

Claims hair salons actually face

Underwriters price hair salons around a predictable set of claims:

• A chemical burn or scalp irritation from a relaxer, lightener or keratin treatment
• Hair breakage or damage after a color correction, followed by a demand for refunds and repair costs
• A client slipping on water near the shampoo bowls
• A curling iron or flat iron burn to the ear, neck or forehead

Maryland risks that affect your policy

Property and business income coverage in Maryland should account for coastal flooding around the Chesapeake Bay, summer storms and winter weather. Ask how each quote handles water damage, equipment breakdown and the waiting period before business income coverage starts.

What carriers look at

• Which chemical services you offer and how often
• How many stations are employees versus booth renters
• Revenue split between services and retail
• Whether you do extensions or keratin treatments

Pricing for hair salons in Maryland depends mostly on the mix of chemical services, the number of stylists and stations, revenue and retail sales, along with location, limits, deductibles and claims history. We do not publish average premiums because they rarely match a real business — comparing several carriers on the same coverage is the reliable way to find your number. See our cost guide for the rating factors.

Where we help hair salons in Maryland

We quote hair salons throughout Maryland, including Baltimore, Columbia, Silver Spring, Annapolis, Frederick and Rockville. One application goes to multiple carriers, and when you bind you receive a Live Certificate — a link that always shows your current coverage for your landlord, salon or venue.

Frequently asked questions

Is insurance required for hair salons in Maryland?

State law in Maryland focuses on workers’ compensation, which is required from the first employee. General liability is not required by statute, but leases, salons, suite operators and venues almost always require it, and professional liability protects you against service claims.

Do hair salons in Maryland need workers’ compensation?

Maryland requires workers’ compensation from the first employee.

Does hair salon insurance cover a bad color job?

Professional liability typically responds when a client claims injury or damage from a service, such as hair breakage or scalp burns from color or lightener, subject to the policy terms. It generally does not refund a service a client simply disliked.

Who licenses hair salons in Maryland?

The Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists (barbers are licensed by the Maryland State Board of Barbers) oversees licensing. Keep every license current and make sure each service is performed within the provider’s license.

More for Maryland: salon & spa insurance in Maryland · nail salon insurance in Maryland · day spa insurance in Maryland · barber shop insurance in Maryland · esthetician insurance in Maryland.

Hair Salon insurance elsewhere: hair salon insurance · Delaware · Pennsylvania · Virginia · salon insurance comparisons.

Ready to compare? One application, multiple carriers, and a Live Certificate of insurance when you bind. Get Multiple Quotes within minutes or call (866) 964-6660.