Top Ten Reasons You Can’t Be Without Liability Coverage by Katie Armitage 1. You can’t be sure your spa or salon has you covered. You have no way to know what your employer covers and whether the policy is current. Even if you are covered, you could still be personally named in a lawsuit. 2. Freedom to see clients … wherever. The right liability coverage for your professional practice means you are protected wherever you work, including your home or the home of a client. 3. Lawsuits today are more common than fad diets. We live in a litigious society. A bride with a severe allergic reaction to a facial on her wedding day is going to win in court. 4. A claim could cloud your future. While you may not have many assets now, if you are found at fault in a lawsuit, your future earnings could be tapped. 5. Even unfounded accusations are stressful. You may be on solid legal ground when a client sues, but you won’t want to face the situation alone. 6. The consequences can be serious. You may think of ordinary mishaps when considering liability coverage, but infections and allergic reactions in esthetic practice have led to serious illness and even death. 7. It really could happen to you. Most of us are optimists, but life can hold unpleasant surprises for even the most conscientious and skilled professionals. And some accidents, like tripping over a cord, have nothing to do with your professional skills. 8. The extras. When you buy the right liability coverage, you will receive additional free benefits like professional publications, business-building tools, and member discounts. 9. Credibility. A membership certificate from a professional association posted at work tells your clients you are skilled, licensed, and following a code of ethics. 10. Peace of mind. You have a busy life. Don’t let worry about professional risk distract you from enjoyment of your career, friends, and family. Katie Armitage is executive director, Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP), and president, Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP). Since 1993, she has overseen ABMP operations as the company has grown to 65,000 members—the largest massage membership association in the nation. She spearheaded the launch of ASCP in early 2007.