General vs Professional Liability Insurance for Med Spas: What’s the Difference?
- Jeff Schmidt
- May 19
- 4 min read
As a med spa owner, injector, or aesthetic provider, you know insurance is important — but figuring out what kind of liability coverage you need can get confusing fast.
Do I need professional liability? Isn’t general liability enough?What’s actually covered — and what’s not?
In this guide, we’ll break down the difference between the two most essential types of insurance for med spas:
General Liability Insurance
Professional Liability Insurance (aka Med Malpractice)
We’ll also explain who needs what, when, and how to get the right coverage without gaps.
What Is General Liability Insurance?
General liability insurance protects your med spa from everyday risks that aren’t directly related to treatments or procedures.
It’s often required by:
Landlords (for lease agreements)
Event spaces (for pop-up clinics or expos)
Lenders (when financing buildouts)
✅ What It Covers:
Slip-and-fall injuries in your lobby
A client’s personal belongings damaged in your space
Accidental property damage at a rented location
Libel or slander lawsuits
Some advertising injury claims
🚫 What It Doesn’t Cover:
Botox, filler, or laser-related injuries
Adverse reactions to treatments
Claims related to your professional services
Think of general liability as your “trip and fall” insurance. It’s not enough by itself if you’re doing any type of aesthetic medical service.
What Is Professional Liability Insurance for Med Spas?
Professional liability insurance (often called med spa malpractice) protects you from claims related to the services you provide.
If a client says a procedure caused harm — even if it didn’t — you can be sued, investigated, or forced to settle out of court. That’s where this coverage kicks in.
✅ What It Covers:
Botox complications or poor results
Swelling or bruising from filler injections
Burns from laser treatments
PRP procedures gone wrong
Negligence claims (even if you did nothing wrong)
✅ Additional Protections (Depending on Carrier):
License defense / board complaint coverage
HIPAA or privacy violations (sometimes split with cyber)
Medical director coverage (if supervising others)
Sexual misconduct defense sublimits
🧠 Pro Tip: This is the #1 most important policy for anyone providing injectables, lasers, microneedling, PDO threads, PRP, or other medical-grade treatments.
Comparison Table — General vs. Professional Liability
General Liability | Professional Liability | |
Covers | Accidents, injuries not caused by procedures | Claims from aesthetic treatments or services |
Typical Claim | Slip and fall in your spa lobby | Botox complication, filler issue, laser burn |
Who's Covered | Business owner, staff, facility | Licensed providers, injectors, medical director |
Required by | Landlords, lenders | Licensing boards, medical boards |
Essential for… | Everyone with a physical location | Anyone doing treatments — even mobile injectors |
Real-Life Med Spa Claim Examples
Scenario | Which Policy Applies? |
Client trips on a power cord in your hallway | General Liability |
PRP microneedling causes scarring | Professional Liability |
A guest's phone is stolen from your waiting room | General Liability |
Filler results in unexpected asymmetry | Professional Liability |
You get sued for before/after photo usage | General (if privacy issue) |
Want more real-world claim stories? Check out our full med spa insurance guide →
Do I Really Need Both?
If you’re operating a med spa or performing any of the following, the answer is YES:
✅ Botox✅ Dermal fillers✅ Microneedling✅ PRP✅ Chemical peels✅ IV hydration
✅ Laser hair removal or resurfacing✅ PDO threads
Even if you’re just renting a room or working part-time as an injector, you can be sued for services you provide — and general liability won’t help you in that case.
What Does It Cost to Carry Both Policies?
Good news: you usually don’t need two separate policies. Most med spa insurers bundle general + professional liability into one package.
Here’s what you can expect:
Med Spa Type | Estimated Annual Premium |
Solo Injector | $800 – $1,500 |
Startup Med Spa (2–3 staff) | $2,000 – $3,500 |
Established Spa w/ lasers | $4,000 – $6,000+ |
How to Get the Right Med Spa Liability Coverage (Without Overpaying)
We make it easy — and fast.
When you request a quote with our team, we:
Ask what services you offer
Shop your info to multiple A-rated carriers
Review your coverage needs (and exclusions to avoid)
Send you a quote in 24–48 hours
Help you bind coverage and deliver your Certificate of Insurance (COI)
You get:
One bundled policy
Proper coverage for your treatments
A team that speaks fluent “injector,” “laser tech,” and “RN practice”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just buy professional liability and skip general liability?
Technically, yes — but it’s risky. If someone gets hurt walking into your spa or trips over a chair, you’ll be personally liable for their medical bills and lost wages.
I work mobile or part-time — do I still need general liability?
If you work in shared spaces, pop-ups, or events, yes. You could be liable for damage to someone else’s property or injury to a guest at your table.
Does my med director’s insurance cover me?
Usually not. You need your own policy — especially if you’re injecting under your own LLC or name.
Final Takeaway: Don’t Choose — Combine
Both general and professional liability are essential to properly protect your med spa or injectable business. They work together to shield you from:
Lawsuits
Claims
Licensing board complaints
Landlord or lender rejections
And costly out-of-pocket surprises
The good news? You can combine them into one bundled policy — and we’ll help you do it right.
