As a massage therapist, you ease away your client’s aches and pains, leaving them feeling blissfully relaxed after a session on your treatment table. But what if something goes wrong? From an adverse reaction to an injury, when a treatment doesn’t go to plan, massage therapists face costly compensation, legal fees, and reputational damage. Keep the tension out of your therapy practice with a massage therapist insurance policy that covers you for every eventuality.
What is massage therapist insurance?
Massage insurance is a specialist policy for qualified masseuses that protects against the most common risks associated with performing a physical therapy on a member of the public.
It can cover a range of massage therapies, including:
- Acupressure massage
- Aromatherapy massage
- Baby massage
- Deep tissue massage
- Holistic massage
- Hot stone massage
- Indian head massage
- Lymphatic drainage massage
- Pregnancy massage
- Sports massage
- Swedish massage
- Thai massage
The policy usually covers massages performed in a salon, spa, therapy centre, health facility, workplace, or treatment room in the therapist’s home, as well as treatments performed in a client’s own home.
Why do I need massage insurance?
Though many types of insurance cover are not compulsory for a massage therapist, most industry bodies will not allow membership unless you hold valid insurance.
Massage insurance gives therapists great peace of mind. Though you’re fully qualified and may have years of experience under your belt, sometimes incidents occur unexpectedly. You may unintentionally exacerbate an existing injury or condition, or your client may react adversely to a carrier or essential oil used during your treatment. If they make a claim for illness or injury and you are found liable, you will be left to shoulder the financial burden unless you hold the right insurance cover.
Whether you’re working within premises or visiting clients at home, you could face third-party claims for injury or personal property damage. You could receive an injury claim from a client who slips and falls on spilled massage oil or from a homeowner if you accidentally break a family heirloom while carrying your portable massage table through their home.
Should your therapy equipment be damaged, lost, or stolen, your earnings may halt while you source replacements and, without cover, you’re left shouldering the associated costs.
If you injure yourself and are physically unable to perform massages, again, your earnings could halt, and you’re left financially vulnerable without the appropriate insurance safety net.
Many massage therapists work as sole traders, and such scenarios could quickly spell disaster for a small business, so it’s wise to protect all your hard work with the right massage liability insurance.
What cover do I need?
Massage therapy insurance brings together a range of useful covers, including:
- Public liability – covering third-party claims for injury or property damage.
- Treatment risk – an important element of the policy because it handles claims about the physical act of the massage. Public liability will not cover such claims.
- Product liability – for claims of illness or injury attributable to a product you supplied, such as a massage oil.
- Professional indemnity – a cover used when a client accuses you of negligence, for example, giving them harmful aftercare or lifestyle advice or providing a poor service.
- Employer’s liability – if you hire staff, even on a part-time basis, it is a legal requirement that you hold at least £5 million of cover. This will be used for claims made by employees for illness or injury caused by working within your business.
You could also add cover for your business equipment, and personal accident cover can give you the reassurance that your finances will be safeguarded should an injury prevent you from working.
How much does it cost?
Standard massage insurance is generally very affordable, allowing for a money-saving annual payment. Though certain massage therapies that centre around musculoskeletal injuries may require a slightly more expensive sports massage therapist insurance policy, the costs still pale in comparison to the burden of legal fees and compensation in the event of a claim.
Massage therapists will be asked about the type(s) of massage they offer, their level of qualification, where they work if they hire staff, and whether they own multiple therapy establishments.
If you are a massage therapist in training and want insurance for your case studies, or if you’re a tutor who trains students in massage, a policy can be tailored to offer the protection you need. It’s important to note that a standard policy may not provide the right level of cover for these scenarios.
Park Insurance is passionate about supporting small businesses. With over three decades of experience in creating bespoke specialist insurance policies, we’re well-placed to offer your massage therapy business the protection it deserves. Get in touch today to see how we can help.