Short answer: Hair salons in Michigan typically carry general liability, professional liability, property or a business owners policy, and workers’ compensation once they have employees — in Michigan, workers’ comp is required at three or more employees, or one full-time employee for 13+ weeks. Licensing runs through the Michigan Board of Cosmetology and Board of Barber Examiners, under the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Get Multiple Quotes within minutes.

What Michigan requires of hair salons

Michigan requires workers’ compensation for employers who regularly employ three or more people, or one or more who work 35 or more hours a week for 13 weeks or longer.

Hair salons in Michigan are regulated by the Michigan Board of Cosmetology and Board of Barber Examiners, under the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Licensing and coverage go together: a service outside someone’s license is one of the easiest ways to end up with a disputed claim.

Frozen-pipe water damage is one of the most common property losses for Michigan storefronts, so water damage coverage and deductibles deserve a close look. No state law mandates general liability, but nearly every commercial lease does.

Coverage checklist for hair salons in Michigan

• 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

Michigan risks that affect your policy

Property and business income coverage in Michigan should account for winter storms, ice, frozen pipes and spring flooding. Review replacement-cost values for your build-out and equipment at every renewal so a loss is not underinsured.

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 Michigan 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 Michigan

We quote hair salons throughout Michigan, including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Troy and Kalamazoo. 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 Michigan?

State law in Michigan focuses on workers’ compensation, which is required at three or more employees, or one full-time employee for 13+ weeks. 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 Michigan need workers’ compensation?

Michigan requires workers’ compensation for employers who regularly employ three or more people, or one or more who work 35 or more hours a week for 13 weeks or longer.

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 Michigan?

The Michigan Board of Cosmetology and Board of Barber Examiners, under the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) oversees licensing. Keep every license current and make sure each service is performed within the provider’s license.

More for Michigan: salon & spa insurance in Michigan · nail salon insurance in Michigan · day spa insurance in Michigan · barber shop insurance in Michigan · medical spa insurance in Michigan.

Hair Salon insurance elsewhere: hair salon insurance · Ohio · Indiana · 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.