Creating a comfortable, fun environment in your salon is the key to attracting and retaining clientele. As we know, salon owners are always looking for ways to set themselves apart from the pack. Will a new coat of paint on the walls do it? Or do you need to add new services to enhance the guest’s experience? There are many different ways to revamp the salon space, but not all of them are right for everyone.
It is important to be proactive and to keep your specialized insurance agent informed of changes in your operations.
We are all familiar with the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but, first impressions are vital – and a positive one can only be a good thing.
Keeping the salon fresh and modern is certainly important. To someone walking by, a clean and cheery atmosphere is more enticing than one that is dark, outdated, or even crowded. Does your salon have adequate seating in the waiting area? If there are retail items for sale, are they displayed in a manner that invites the guests to browse? The “fix” you are looking for might be as simple as addressing some of these areas.
If you do decide that remodeling is in order, be sure to speak with your landlord first to ensure that your new plans will still leave you compliant with your lease. You would not want to spend the time and money to revamp your salon only to find out you’re now in violation lease provisions. Only hire contractors who are licensed and insured, and be sure to request proof of both. Remember to get confirmation of your current coverage from your insurance agent in case anything happens during the remodel, or in the event changes to the policy are needed. At the very least, you will probably need to increase your property coverage to be in line with the improvements you are making.
You might, instead, decide to go the route of new services or equipment. There are often costs associated, and we do not mean just the cost of the equipment. Again, it is important that you contact your insurance agent to determine how you need to adjust your current policy to protect your new investments. If your property coverage is written on a replacement cost basis, even your existing equipment needs to be insured for the amount it would take to purchase new. This would be a good time to reevaluate your assets and make any necessary accommodations. Adding brand new equipment without changing your property limits might result in co-insurance penalties in the event of a loss.
It is also extremely important to make sure that any new services are covered by your policy. Many services being offered in tanning salons these days were not around when policies were originally developed. Laser services, cryotherapy sessions, nutritional supplements and fitness products, for example, are all commonly seen in salons; but your current coverage may not be structured to anticipate the exposure that these services create. Specific coverage may need to be added to your current policy, or additional coverage may even need to be purchased.
It is important to be proactive and to keep your specialized insurance agent informed of your operations. When your policy is updated as changes occur, it will help to ensure that exclusions or penalties do not apply. Every policy is a little different, so it is best to confirm with your agent that coverage is in place and be aware of additional coverage that might be needed.
The worst call to have to make is the one to your insurance agent after an incident occurs, and you find out you are not covered.
