What Insurance Do I Need as a Massage Therapist?

Getting the right insurance as a massage therapist can seem complicated. While the job itself is incredibly rewarding — helping clients feel better and easing their pain — it can also expose you to certain risks. These include potential client claims, equipment loss, and personal injury.

So which insurance is necessary for your business, and what would be just nice to have? Afterall, when you are first starting out you don’t want to spend out on insurance that isn’t relevant to your situation.

In this article, I’ll guide your through the different options so you can make an informed decision about your needs and risk.

Public Liability Insurance

Public liability insurance is the first type of insurance to consider, and is probably the very minimum any massage therapist should have. It is one of the most important because as a massage therapist you are regularly interacting with the public. It protects you in the event that a client suffers an injury, or property damage, as a result of your work. For instance, if a client slips on oil that was left on the floor, your massage couch collapses with them on it, or even if they fall off your massage couch, this insurance will cover legal costs and compensation claims.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Professional indemnity insurance is designed to protect you if a client sues you for negligence, even if you haven't made a mistake. For example, if a client claims that your advice or treatment led to an injury, this insurance will cover the cost of legal defence and any compensation awarded.

Product Liability Insurance

Product liability insurance covers you if a client suffers an injury due to a defective product you used during the massage. This could be a faulty massage oil, lotion, or any other product that causes an adverse reaction. Even though you may not manufacture these products yourself, you can still be held responsible for any harm caused by them.

Business Contents Insurance

For massage therapists who run a clinic or salon, business contents insurance is worth considering to protect your business equipment, including massage tables, chairs, and other tools. If anything is damaged, stolen, or destroyed, this insurance will help you replace it without bearing the full cost.

Personal Accident Insurance

In the event that you are injured outside of work and can’t continue offering treatments, personal accident insurance can help cover lost income during your recovery. This insurance ensures that you can maintain financial stability while you're unable to work.

Employers' Liability Insurance

If you have employees, employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement in the UK. This covers you if an employee is injured or becomes ill as a result of their work. Without this coverage, you could face hefty fines and legal trouble.

Do You Need Insurance as a Mobile Massage Therapist?

If you're a mobile massage therapist, the minimum insurance policies you should have are public liability and professional indemnity. These will protect you against common risks, including accidents, damage, or malpractice claims.

If you use a car or van for your mobile business, you may need commercial vehicle insurance or an upgrade to your personal vehicle policy to include business use. Failing to inform your insurance provider could invalidate your personal insurance policy, which is risky.

Do I Need Insurance While I'm Training to Become a Massage Therapist?

If you're still in training and haven’t yet completed your qualification, you’ll need to ensure you have the appropriate level of cover to practice safely. The FHT provide student membership which includes insurance while training. This can be easily upgraded to full membership once you have qualified.

Combined Insurance

Often insurance providers will offer packages that combine some or all of the above. It is your responsibility to check that the insurance offered is relevant to you and covers the needs of your business.

 Getting your insurance through a professional body such as the Federation of Holistic Therapist (FHT) can be an easy choice. Their membership fee includes combined malpractice, public and products insurance which covers you for liability claims from your clients or other third parties for accidental death, bodily injury, illness, or accidental damage to property, as a result of your business activity.

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Conclusion

As a massage therapist, having the right insurance gives you peace of mind knowing that both your clients and your business are protected.

Remember, always tailor your insurance coverage to your specific needs, whether you're just starting out, training, or operating as a mobile therapist. By choosing the right policies and working with a reliable insurance provider, you’ll be better equipped to focus on what you do best — helping your clients feel their best.