Insurance Requirements for Opening a Med Spa: What You Need Before Seeing Your First Client
- Jeff Schmidt
- Aug 25, 2025
- 3 min read
Opening a med spa is exciting — but also a legal and financial minefield if you’re not properly insured. Between licensing, real estate leases, and patient risk, one gap in coverage can derail your business before it even launches.
If you’re researching the insurance requirements for opening a med spa, this guide is your blueprint. We’ll break down what policies you absolutely need, what coverage levels are typical, and how to avoid the costly mistakes most new owners make.
Insurance Requirements for Opening a Med Spa: The Essentials
Let’s start with the foundational truth: No two med spas are exactly alike. Your required insurance will depend on:
The services you plan to offer
Your state’s medical board regulations
Your lease agreement
Who is administering treatments (RN, NP, MD, etc.)
Whether you’re mobile, brick-and-mortar, or both
That said, there are core policies nearly every med spa will need — especially before opening doors.
1. Professional Liability Insurance This covers claims of negligence, malpractice, or unsatisfactory cosmetic results. It’s essential if you offer:
Botox or dermal fillers
Microneedling or PRP
Laser treatments
Weight loss medications
IV therapy or vitamin injections
Typical coverage limits: $1,000,000 per claim / $3,000,000 aggregate
Some states or medical boards may require this coverage as a condition of licensure or oversight by a physician.
2. General Liability Insurance This is the basic “trip and fall” policy. It protects against injuries on your premises, damage to property, or basic lawsuits unrelated to treatments.
Required by most landlords and commercial leases.
Bonus: Many insurers bundle this with professional liability to save you 10–20%.
3. Property Coverage If you're leasing a space or investing in devices (lasers, chairs, cryotherapy units), you’ll need business personal property coverage.
This protects against fire, theft, vandalism, and more. Some carriers will include this in a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) package.
4. Cyber Liability Insurance If you're collecting client medical history, booking appointments online, or storing treatment notes — you’re a HIPAA liability risk.
Cyber liability protects against:
Data breaches
Ransomware attacks
HIPAA fines
Lawsuits from exposed client info
This is especially important if you plan to accept telehealth patients or offer remote consultations.
5. Workers’ Compensation Insurance (If You Have Employees)In most states, having just one W-2 employee requires you to carry workers’ comp. This covers workplace injuries or illness.
Important: 1099 contractors usually aren't covered under your workers' comp policy unless specifically endorsed.
Other Policies to Consider When Opening a Med Spa
Policy | When It’s Needed |
Medical Director Liability | If your spa operates under a doctor’s license |
Product Liability | If you sell branded skincare or supplements |
Mobile Med Spa Endorsements | If treatments happen at clients’ homes or events |
Employment Practices Liability (EPLI) | If you have a team and want coverage for HR-related claims (e.g., discrimination, wrongful termination) |
When to Secure Coverage: Before or After Licensing?
You should secure insurance before:
Signing a commercial lease
Opening a bank account tied to your business
Hiring staff
Scheduling your first treatment
Launching a website that advertises services
Why? Many of your vendors — from landlords to lenders — will require proof of insurance before moving forward. And if you inject a patient without liability coverage in place, you’re personally liable.
Common Mistakes New Med Spa Owners Make
Waiting too long to get insured — then rushing and overpaying
Relying on a general insurance broker unfamiliar with aesthetics
Buying a policy that excludes core services like injectables or lasers
Not reading the exclusions — some cheap policies exclude GLP-1 medications or microneedling
Failing to match the coverage to the state’s medical rules
We’ve reviewed hundreds of policies for new owners and can tell you — these mistakes are more common than you think.
What Does It Cost to Get Insured When Opening a Med Spa?
Business Type | Starting Premium |
Botox/Fillers Only | $1,500–$1,900/year |
Injectables + IV Therapy | $1,900–$2,400/year |
Full-Service Med Spa | $2,200–$3,200/year |
Mobile-Only Med Spa | $2,000–$2,800/year |
These are estimates. Final pricing depends on procedures, state, team size, and underwriting.
Get Covered the Right Way — The First Time
At CarePro Insurance, we specialize in helping new med spa owners get everything in place before they open. That includes:
✅ Coverage tailored to your launch services
✅ No unnecessary add-ons or inflated pricing
✅ A-rated carriers that understand aesthetics
✅ Fast quoting — often with bindable coverage in 24 hours
✅ Cyber, GLP-1, and mobile coverage options
Final Thoughts
The path to opening a med spa is full of licensing steps, regulatory concerns, and financial risks. Getting the right insurance isn’t just a formality — it’s one of the smartest business decisions you’ll make.
