Over the past few years, the demand for mobile and home-based beauty services has increased, driven by consumers’ desire for convenience and personalized care. From massages and facials to haircuts and lash lifts, mobile spa services offer salon-quality treatments in the comfort of clients’ homes and other locations outside the salon.
Taking beauty services on the road can expand your business, but it also presents new challenges that salons and spas need to manage carefully. Factors like pets, poor lighting, staff safety concerns, and the challenges of using portable equipment in clients’ homes can expose businesses to licensing issues, liability risks, and environmental factors that may affect treatment quality.
Insurance Essentials
Mobile spa providers require insurance that’s tailored to their unique working conditions. Unlike traditional salons that often carry both general and professional liability coverage, mobile professionals are typically covered under professional liability only. To ensure comprehensive protection, work with an A-rated insurance carrier known for strong financial health and prompt claims support and make sure your policy includes coverage across multiple service locations, not just one fixed address.
Risk Management Best Practices
Offering services off-site limits the amount of control you or your employees have over the environment, making risks like slip-and-fall accidents or property damage harder to manage. To protect your team, clients, and reputation, there are several safeguards you can implement as appropriate for your business:
- Client consent & waivers: Use clear forms to outline expectations and acknowledge potential risks.
- Location risk assessments: Check every site for trip hazards, lighting issues, and ventilation concerns.
- Sanitation protocols: Clean and disinfect tools between appointments using portable kits.
- Employee training: Prepare staff with emergency protocols and proper use of portable equipment.
- Secure tech tools: Use encrypted booking platforms and protect client info on mobile devices.
- Allergy checks: Offer patch tests and easy-to-follow post-service instructions.
Whether you’re styling hair in a hotel suite or offering facials in a client’s living room, success in mobile beauty depends on more than great technique—it takes thoughtful planning and smart protection. With the right coverage and safety strategies, you can focus on what truly matters: delivering exceptional service, anywhere your business takes you.
Kathy Lopez, Account Manager for SASSI, the Salon and Spa Specialty Insurance program at Brownyard Group. She can be reached at klopez@brownyard.com.
