Tattoo Shop Insurance in Tennessee

Common risks for tattoo shops

• Infections or blood-borne disease claims
• Allergic reactions to ink
• Unhappy clients claiming poor work
• Slips in the shop
• Equipment theft

Coverages tattoo shops often consider

• Professional liability (E&O) Make sure the policy covers tattooing and piercing specifically.
• General liability Helps if your business is blamed for injuring someone or damaging their property, and usually pays for a legal defense.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP) Bundles general liability with coverage for your business property, and often business income, for many smaller businesses.
• Products liability Covers injury or damage caused by products you make, sell, or distribute. Usually part of general liability.
• Workers’ compensation Pays medical bills and lost wages if an employee is hurt on the job, and includes employer’s liability.

Not every business needs every coverage. The right mix depends on your work, your contracts, and your budget. All coverage is subject to underwriting and the terms of the policy.

What a claim could look like

For example, imagine a client claims a new tattoo from your Nashville shop became infected and needed treatment. A claim like that may go to professional liability, depending on the policy and facts.

This is a hypothetical example for education only. Whether any claim is covered depends on the facts and your policy terms.

Tennessee rules to know

Workers’ comp. Most Tennessee employers outside construction and coal mining must carry workers’ compensation once they have five or more employees, full- or part-time, per the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Even below that number, many owners choose to carry it.

Licensing. If your work requires a state or local license or permit, check with the licensing board or office for any insurance or bonding rules. We can help you meet whatever they require.

We can review your requirements and help you shop workers’ compensation and the other coverages above with carriers that write tattoo shops, subject to underwriting.

Certificates of insurance

Landlords and conventions often ask tattoo artists for certificates.

A certificate of insurance shows your coverage on the day it’s issued. If a contract asks for additional insured status or a waiver of subrogation, the policy usually needs an endorsement, not just a line on the certificate. Our certificate of insurance checklist walks through what to check.

What affects the cost

• The type of work you do and how it’s classified
• Annual revenue and payroll
• Number of employees and any subcontractors
• Where you work and the value of your equipment or property
• The limits and deductibles you choose
• Your claims history and years in business

We can’t promise a price ahead of time, but we can compare options and explain the trade-offs in plain English.

How Eric can help tattoo shops

Stylists, barbers, and spa owners from Antioch and Madison to Brentwood and Spring Hill often rent suites or booths with lease insurance requirements. As an independent agent affiliated with Hutsenpiller Insurance, Eric can review what you have, read your contract requirements with you, and help you shop options with more than one carrier. See how an independent agent works for you.

Related guides

• Beauty and Personal Care Business Insurance in Tennessee
• All business types we can help
• Business insurance in Middle Tennessee
• General liability insurance
• Business owner’s policy (BOP) 101
• Certificates and additional insureds explained
• Business interruption insurance
• General liability vs. professional liability
• Small business insurance checklist (PDF)
• Certificate of insurance checklist (PDF)