Massage business insurance protects your practice from treatment-related claims, client injuries and equipment damage. The table below outlines recommended coverage types with specific policy limits for massage therapy businesses.
What Insurance Do You Need For a Massage Business?
Massage businesses require professional liability, general liability, workers' compensation and commercial auto coverage.
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Updated: December 29, 2025
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Massage Business Insurance Requirements: Key Takeaways
Professional liability insurance is most critical for massage therapists due to frequent claims from nerve damage and treatment injuries. (Read More)
Massage therapy businesses need workers' compensation, professional liability and general liability insurance required by state boards and clients. (Read More)
Optional coverage includes commercial property insurance and commercial auto insurance for mobile massage therapists.
Submit updated proof to state boards before license renewals, provide COIs to each spa where you contract, and confirm new modalities are covered. (Read More)
What Insurance Types Are Needed For a Massage Business?
Pays legal costs and settlements when clients claim your massage therapy caused nerve damage, muscle injuries or bruising. Most state licensing boards require this before you can legally practice. | $1 to $2 million per claim with $2 to $3 million aggregate meets most state and client requirements. | A client sued for $180,000 claiming deep tissue massage caused shoulder nerve damage. The policy covered $45,000 in legal defense and the $120,000 settlement. | |
Pays medical bills and legal fees when clients slip on oily treatment room floors or injure themselves on your massage tables. Commercial leases and licensing authorities typically require this coverage. | $1 to $2 million per occurrence or $2 to $3 million aggregate satisfies most requirements. | A client slipped on massage oil and broke her wrist, facing $32,000 in surgery costs and $8,000 in lost wages. The policy paid all $40,000 plus $12,000 in legal fees. | |
Required by law once you hire employees, paying medical bills and lost wages when massage therapists develop carpal tunnel, back injuries or repetitive strain. You'll face fines up to $10,000 per employee and personal liability for all costs without it. | Your state sets minimum coverage based on payroll and employee count. | A massage therapist developed carpal tunnel after years of deep tissue work, needing $38,000 in surgery and losing $22,000 in wages during recovery. Workers' comp paid all $60,000. | |
Replaces massage tables, hot stone warmers, essential oils, linens and reception furniture damaged by fire, theft or water. Landlords require this before you can lease commercial space. | $25,000 to $75,000 covers most massage practices based on equipment value. | Fire spread from an adjacent unit, destroying three massage tables, equipment and inventory worth $48,000. The policy paid full replacement costs within two weeks. | |
Pays medical bills and repairs when you cause accidents while driving to client homes or corporate appointments. Personal auto policies exclude business use, and 49 states require commercial coverage. | $1 million combined single limit with comprehensive and collision satisfies state law. | You caused a collision driving to an appointment, totaling $28,000 in medical bills, $15,000 in repairs and $3,200 in equipment damage. Commercial auto paid $46,200 minus a $1,000 deductible. | |
Massage Business Insurance Requirements
The table below summarizes business insurance requirements for massage therapy practices mandated by state law and client contracts. Requirements vary by state, business structure and the types of clients you serve.
Workers' Compensation Insurance | Required by law in most states once you hire your first employee, with penalties including fines up to $10,000 per employee, criminal charges, business license suspension and personal liability for all injury costs. Massage therapists commonly develop carpal tunnel and repetitive strain injuries, making this coverage mandatory. | Your state sets the minimum amount based on payroll and employee count. |
Professional Liability Insurance | Most state licensing boards require this before you can obtain or renew your massage therapy license. Medical facilities, corporate wellness programs and insurance panels also require proof of malpractice coverage before you can join their networks. | $1 to $2 million per claim with $2 to $3 million aggregate meets most state licensing and commercial client requirements. |
General Liability Insurance | Commercial landlords require this before you can lease spa or studio space, and corporate clients require proof before allowing you to provide services on their property. Some municipalities also require this coverage to issue business operating licenses for massage establishments. | $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate is standard, though luxury hotels and medical facilities may require $3 to $5 million. |
Commercial Auto Insurance | Required by law in 49 states when you use your vehicle for business, and personal auto policies exclude coverage for driving to client homes. You'll face policy cancellation, fines and personal liability without commercial coverage. | State minimums range from 25/50/10 to 30/60/25 split limits, though $1 million combined single limit better protects mobile massage therapists. |
Commercial Property Insurance | Landlords require this before lease signing and lenders require it before loan approval to protect their investment in the building and your equipment. You can't secure commercial space or financing without this coverage. | Coverage of $50,000 to $500,000 based on building replacement cost and equipment value. |
Luxury spas, resorts and premium wellness centers require umbrella coverage on top of your existing liability limits before allowing you to work on their premises. This additional layer protects high-value clients from catastrophic claims exceeding standard policy limits. | High-value clients typically require $3 to $5 million total coverage, while luxury venues may require $5 to $10 million. | |
How To Ensure Massage Business Insurance Requirements Are Met
Below is a step-by-step guide for maintaining insurance compliance after purchasing coverage for your massage practice. These steps help you meet state licensing requirements, satisfy client contracts and maintain continuous proof of coverage.
- 1Submit updated insurance proof to state licensing board before renewal deadlines
Your state board requires current proof of insurance at every license renewal (annually or biennially). Missing this deadline expires your massage therapy license, preventing you from legally practicing until reinstated.
- 2Provide certificates of insurance to every spa and wellness center where you work
Many massage therapists work as independent contractors at multiple locations, and each spa requires a certificate naming them as additional insured before your first session. Request separate COIs from your insurer for each location and update them at policy renewal to maintain your contractor status.
- 3Verify new modalities are covered before adding them to your practice
Standard policies may not cover specialized techniques like hot stone therapy, cupping, prenatal massage or oncology massage without specific endorsements. Contact your insurer before offering new modalities, as performing uncovered techniques could void your policy.
- 4Maintain active professional association membership if insured through AMTA or ABMP
Many massage therapists get insurance through AMTA or ABMP membership instead of buying separate policies. Let your membership lapse and you'll lose coverage immediately, so renew at least two months before expiration.
- 5Coordinate coverage with medical facilities for integrated practice settings
Physical therapy clinics, chiropractic offices and medical wellness centers may cover you under their umbrella policy or require your own insurance. Request written clarification from facility administrators about coverage responsibilities before your first patient appointment to avoid uninsured liability gaps.
Get Business Insurance You Need For Your Massage Business
You can get matched to massage business insurance providers using our tool below. Compare quotes from at least three insurers and verify they understand massage therapy liability, including coverage for your specific modalities like deep tissue, hot stone or prenatal massage. Experienced massage therapy insurers or professional associations like AMTA and ABMP often offer better rates and specialized coverage than general business insurance providers.
Get Matched To The Best Massage Business Insurer For Your Needs
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
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