Mark Anderson wrote:
As a photographer I have liability insurance as well as insurance on my equipment.  I was wondering how many Makeup Artists carry Liability Insurance.  As a subcontractor on a photoshoot do you just assume that the photographer's insurance covers you?  Or do you carry insurance incase something goes wrong and you get sued?  Also, how many are licensed in their state to do makeup - that is if the state requires it?

Pretty much one of the first things I did out of mu school was to get insured. I go through a company that specialises in the entertainment and media business.

alex collins mua wrote:

Pretty much one of the first things I did out of mu school was to get insured. I go through a company that specialises in the entertainment and media business.

I really think it makes sense.  If the prime contractor were to be sued over the MUAs work I would be willing to bet that they would sue the MUA as the subcontractor.   For the cost of it, anyone who makes a living at it should have insurance.

Mark Anderson wrote:
As a photographer I have liability insurance as well as insurance on my equipment.  I was wondering how many Makeup Artists carry Liability Insurance.  As a subcontractor on a photoshoot do you just assume that the photographer's insurance covers you?  Or do you carry insurance incase something goes wrong and you get sued?  Also, how many are licensed in their state to do makeup - that is if the state requires it?

yep, I have liability insurance as well as insurance for my stuff...  should my entire kit grow legs.... 

License is not required in Ca for the entertainment industry. 

I suggest all artists have liability insurance.

Mark Anderson wrote:
Good to hear that people have insurance.  Lately I've had a few people ask about insurance and I have been able to quickly say Yes, I have it. But I was wondering if the MUAs did.

from what I understand, photographers have to have it to get a permit to shoot anywhere....  I assume that covers everyone on the crew but I feel better about having my own insurance.   I was just asked by one company I work for regularly to fax a copy to them for their records and I was told they can no longer use anyone without it... This is good for me since only a few of us locally have it.

I assume something in the way of a nasty lawsuit caused all this recent fear in the industry and it doesn't surprise me when you have caboodle girls using the same mascara and lipstick on people without disinfecting...  I assume someone has been hurt

Mary wrote:

from what I understand, photographers have to have it to get a permit to shoot anywhere....  I assume that covers everyone on the crew but I feel better about having my own insurance.   I was just asked by one company I work for regularly to fax a copy to them for their records and I was told they can no longer use anyone without it... This is good for me since only a few of us locally have it.

I assume something in the way of a nasty lawsuit caused all this recent fear in the industry and it doesn't surprise me when you have caboodle girls using the same mascara and lipstick on people without disinfecting...  I assume someone has been hurt

Typically liability insurance covers the photographer and their employees, but if you as a MUA are a sub contractor the insurance wouldn't normally apply to you.  So having your own insurance is a great idea. 

I think you may be correct in your assumption about something having happened.  I only asked the question because over the past year my business has doubled and I'm starting to have to reconsider all the insurance issues, etc.

Angela Horvath wrote:
I know everyone is different but out of curiosity can some one tell me roughly how much it costs them for liability insurance AND the insurance for there kit.

Oh.. what company do you go through??

I think its a great idea to have it and would love as much info as you can share

~Thanks~

I pay about 600.00 a year and go through USAA  (open to military and family)  my makeup store in under the same policy so I can't tell you what portion of the cost is liability

Mary wrote:
from what I understand, photographers have to have it to get a permit to shoot anywhere....

Not everywhere, some areas, (jurisdictions) although may not require a permit, do require insurance and visa-versa. Some areas, nothing is required.

Angela Horvath wrote:
I know everyone is different but out of curiosity can some one tell me roughly how much it costs them for liability insurance AND the insurance for there kit.

Oh.. what company do you go through??

I think its a great idea to have it and would love as much info as you can share

~Thanks~

this varies from country to county and state to state and the amount of liability and equipment. A $1,000,000.00 policy can be had as low as $460.00/yr here.
Cosmetology does require a license in SC
requirements: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Cosmetol … quirements

Mary wrote:

I pay about 600.00 a year and go through USAA  (open to military and family)  my makeup store in under the same policy so I can't tell you what portion of the cost is liability

I have USAA!  Didn't know they would do this sort of coverage as well...thank you for sharing Mary