While tattoo shops can be one of the most exciting environments to work in, they come with some risks. No matter how talented your artists are, you may have customers who just aren’t satisfied. Dissatisfied customers can become major issues given that tattoos are typically permanent or require a major effort to remove them. With that in mind, here is an overview of how to protect your tattoo shop from a lawsuit.
Limiting Tattoo Parlor Liability
If a tattoo becomes infected or is otherwise low-quality, you may have to deal with a tattoo negligence claim. For instance, there are plenty of instances in which the tattoo artist misspells a word, and no matter if the client wrote the word down or not, it is ultimately the job of the tattoo artist to make sure their work isn’t misspelled. Unfortunately, in many of these cases, the customer is too upset to listen to reason and may opt to try to file a lawsuit rather than finding a different remedy. By purchasing tattoo shop insurance, you will be covered if this does occur. Otherwise, you could end up paying for even minor mishaps that could be otherwise easily fixed.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many tattoo shops to rely on independent contractors. While they can be a major lifeline for tattoo shops that are not fully staffed, they can also be a liability. This is because there is often no way to vet them before hiring them fully, and they may have habits or practices that can be detrimental to your company and customers. Luckily, by purchasing tattoo shop coverage, you can ensure that even your independent contractors are covered. Otherwise, your company could be vulnerable to those who do not follow proper protocols, which can result in expensive lawsuits.
Types of Coverage
There are various types of coverage for tattoo shops, large and small. If you are offering tattoos and/or piercings at your shop, you can purchase the following types of coverage:
- Commercial Coverage: This type of coverage is available throughout the United States (or the lower 48 states and DC; everywhere but Alaska and Hawaii).
- All Liability Coverage: By purchasing this type of coverage, you can get personalized coverage purpose-built, especially for the services you offer.
- Property Coverage: This type of coverage is available for all tattoo shops across the country, except for Florida. This coverage is written on a “special form,” which is sometimes called an “open perils”, policy.
Key Takeaways:
- Given the nature of tattoos and artwork, having coverage is essential to maintaining your business.
- If tattoos become infected or otherwise low-quality, you may be subjected to a costly negligence claim.
- Misspelled tattoos are one of the most common mistakes made by tattoo artists. However, tattoo shop coverage can help protect you from costly lawsuits.
Looking for Tattoo Shop Insurance?
If you are a freelance tattoo artist or own a tattoo shop, there are plenty of things to consider. No matter how skilled or careful you may be, there is always the potential to have a mishap or accident. Rather than leaving it to chance, purchasing liability insurance is one of the best ways to make sure your artists and customers are protected. Contact our team of experts here at the Marine Agency for a quote and more information.
