As a recent salon booth renter, the question of what insurance I carry and why comes down to protecting myself as an independent contractor, not relying on the salon's policy. I carry individual professional liability, general liability, and limited property coverage because my tools, products, and hands-on services are my responsibility, not the owner's. That became clear when a client had a delayed skin reaction after a color service; my own liability policy covered the claim and legal consultation, which saved me several thousand dollars out of pocket. That experience reinforced how insurance isn't theoretical—it's what keeps one incident from turning into a financial setback. When new booth renters ask me about shopping for coverage, I tell them to confirm in writing what the salon's insurance does not cover and then build their policy around those gaps. A common misconception is that being licensed or working inside a reputable salon automatically protects you, but once you rent a booth, you're effectively running a small business. I wish I had known earlier that property coverage for stolen or damaged tools is often optional and easy to overlook until something actually goes missing. The biggest lesson is to treat insurance as part of your pricing strategy, because one uncovered claim can wipe out months of income. Nezhdeh Parsanj, Independent Stylist, Los Angeles, CA https://www.opusrentals.com/