As a tattoo artist, your craft is more than just a job – it’s your passion. But like any profession, there are risks involved in the tattoo industry that could potentially derail that passion. That’s why having the right insurance coverage is absolutely crucial for tattoo artists.
Enter InkShopGuard, an insurance program specifically designed to meet the unique coverage needs of the tattoo and body piercing industry. Founded by Shawn Woedl and managed by Nate Szana, who both truly understand the wants and needs of tattoo artists, InkShopGuard offers comprehensive insurance policies tailored to your profession.
“When I got into the insurance industry 15 years ago, people didn’t want to do business with me because I had tattoos everywhere. I didn’t look the part and there was a stigma attached to me before they got to know what I was capable of,” writes Woedl. “I saw the same thing happening where insurers wanted to steer clear of ink shops because of unfounded perceptions of them being rough or unclean. I wanted to bridge that gap.”
So what exactly sets InkShopGuard apart from other insurance providers that tattoo artists could be going to? For starters, they genuinely care about the art and the artists they protect. This isn’t just about making money – it’s about understanding and supporting the tattoo community. “We’re doing this because we genuinely want to help out because we think tattooing is cool,” says Szana.
They’ve done their homework too, carefully analyzing claims data from the tattoo industry and crafting policies that address the real risks artists face without overcharging or nickel-and-diming with unnecessary fees and surcharges.
One of the standout features of every InkShopGuard policy is the inclusion of Professional Liability coverage. This crucial protection safeguards you if a client claims a mistake in your professional tattooing services resulted in a loss or damages.
As Szana explains, “Tattooing is 100% service-oriented, so this coverage is arguably the most important we offer.”
But the robust coverage doesn’t stop there. InkShopGuard policies also include vital General Liability protection for things like slip and fall accidents, property damage, and other third-party bodily injury claims that could arise from running your tattoo business.
They also offer up to $100,000 of coverage for communicable diseases in case a client alleges they contracted an infectious disease as a result of your services. In Szana’s words, “Nine times out of ten, somebody’s tattoo got infected because they went in a hot tub right after, not because there was actually a problem. But you still want that coverage to step in and help defend you in the case of the unknown.”
Perhaps what really sets InkShopGuard apart, however, is their true understanding of tattoo culture and norms. Unlike some insurance providers that treat things like conventions as extra liabilities, InkShopGuard’s worldwide coverage seamlessly extends to you and any employees while attending events, competitions, or conventions.
As Szana puts it bluntly, “A lot of the other insurance providers for this class of business, they’ll charge people for going to conventions. We think that sucks, so we made sure coverage while you’re at conventions was automatically included in our policies.”
At the end of the day, the team at InkShopGuard wants to let you focus on what really matters: creating incredible body art. They’ve been there and understand the struggles of being judged for appearance rather than skill.
Protecting your passion means protecting your business and your livelihood. Don’t let unfounded stereotypes, excessive fees, or lack of understanding from insurance companies leave your tattoo business exposed.
InkShopGuard is truly insurance designed FOR tattoo artists and shop owners. With affordable rates, comprehensive coverage, and a founder who has walked the walk, InkShopGuard allows you to keep inking with peace of mind. Isn’t it time you got insurance that really ‘gets’ you?
Learn more and get a quote from InkShopGuard here.