Tattoo Shop Insurance

There are no federal mandates for tattoo artists, but each state has its own regulations. These regulations can vary widely.

In most cases, you'll need the following to get licensed or certified as a tattoo artist:

• Bloodborne pathogens certification: State licensing agencies and local health departments usually require tattoo artists, piercers, and permanent makeup artists to take a course on bloodborne pathogens in order to prevent communicable diseases.
• Hepatitis B vaccination: Most states will require you to submit proof of vaccination against Hepatitis B or an exemption form, due to the risks inherent to your work.
• Coursework or an apprenticeship: You'll often need to have sufficient body art experience or education in order to register as a tattoo artist or get licensed.

In Florida, you only need to complete an educational course that takes a few hours and pay a licensing fee to become a tattooist. On the other hand, Oregon requires extensive education and experience as a tattoo artist, in addition to training in both CPR and bloodborne pathogens, first aid, and the successful passing of an exam.

You'll also need to fill out an application form, pay a fee, and periodically renew your license.

It's always a good idea to carry insurance for a tattoo shop, even if you're a sole proprietor or an independent contractor. Here are the reasons why you still need coverage:

• You face the same risks as a bigger business. A customer could still fall and suffer an injury in your shop, or have an allergic reaction to tattoo ink, regardless of your business's size or number of employees.
• Your landlord might require liability insurance. Many commercial leases require tenants to carry general liability insurance to protect against costly customer lawsuits.
• Your work has a high risk of bodily injury. Working with needles increases the risk of injury to your customers and yourself. It's important to carry general liability insurance and product liability insurance for financial protection against customer injuries, and workers' compensation insurance to protect yourself against costly medical bills.
• Your personal and business assets are not separate. When you're self-employed, a lawsuit can devastate both your business and personal finances (unless you form a limited liability company or LLC). That makes insurance coverage doubly important.
• A botched tattoo could end up costing a fortune. If a customer sues over a mistake in a tattoo or accuses you of substandard work, you could face an expensive lawsuit. That's why even sole proprietors should carry professional liability insurance.

For a comprehensive risk management strategy, tattoo artists should consider the following types of additional coverage:

• Business interruption insurance: Also called business income insurance, this add-on to your property insurance covers temporary closures from a fire or storm.
• Commercial property insurance: Property insurance covers your tattoo or piercing shop and everything in it. It'll pay for broken windows, stolen equipment, fires, and water damage.
• Business personal property (BPP) coverage: This policy covers your tattoo pens, tattoo needles, and other business equipment. It's included in commercial property insurance, or you can add it as an endorsement to your general liability policy if you don't need coverage for a building.
• Commercial umbrella insurance: Umbrella insurance boosts the coverage on your general liability, commercial auto, and employer's liability insurance once the policy reaches its limit.
• Product liability insurance: This type of insurance covers harm caused by a tattoo or other product, such as an allergic reaction to ink. It's typically included with general liability insurance.