I’m a piercer. I did a Prince Albert. The client claimed he lost sensation and had excessive bleeding. He sued. I sent the claim to my insurer. They pointed to the “Excluded Procedures” list. Apparently, standard Body Piercing insurance covers ears, nose, and navel, but strictly excludes genital, tongue splitting, and dermal anchors unless endorsed.
Key Takeaways
- Read the Exclusions List: Every piercing policy has a list of “Excluded Procedures.” Genital piercing, surface bars, and microdermals are often on the “No” list for basic policies.
- The “Sexual Misconduct” Fear: Insurers exclude genital work partly due to the high risk of “Sexual Misconduct” allegations (see previous article).
- Endorsements Cost Extra: You can get coverage for this, but you have to check the box and pay the extra premium (usually +$200/yr). If you didn’t pay for it, you aren’t covered.
- Anatomy Risks: Genital piercings have higher bleed risks and nerve damage risks. The payouts are higher, so the underwriting is stricter.
The “Why” (The Trap): “Standard” vs. “Advanced”
Insurers categorize piercings:
- Standard: Ear, Nostril, Navel, Lip, Eyebrow.
- Advanced: Tongue, Nipple, Genital, Surface.
Many artists buy the “Standard” policy to save money, assuming it covers “Piercing.” This is a career-ending mistake if you perform advanced work.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I compared policy limitations.
1. Basic Policy (Online Quote)
- Cost: $450/year.
- Fine Print: “Excludes genital, nipple, and sub-dermal implants.”
2. Comprehensive Policy (Marine/PPIB)
- Cost: $750/year.
- Fine Print: “Includes genital and nipple piercing provided artist has 1+ year experience.”
Comparison Table: Piercing Coverage Tiers
| Procedure | Basic Policy | Advanced/Endorsed Policy |
| Ear/Nose | Covered | Covered |
| Nipple | Excluded | Covered |
| Genital | Excluded | Covered (with experience) |
| Dermal Anchors | Excluded | Covered (Check specific states) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Check Your Dec Page: Look for “Excluded Professional Services.” If you see “Genital,” stop piercing them immediately until you fix the policy.
- Document Experience: To get advanced coverage, you often need to send a resume proving you’ve been piercing for 1-2 years or completed an APP (Association of Professional Piercers) apprenticeship.
- Specific Consents: Use a genital-specific consent form that outlines risks like loss of sensation and migration.
- Chaperone: As with genital tattoos, having a witness or strict protocol is vital to prevent abuse claims.
FAQ
Q: Is tongue splitting covered?
A: Almost never. That is considered “minor surgery” in many states and is illegal for non-doctors. Insurance won’t cover illegal acts.
Q: What about “play piercing”?
A: Excluded. Insurance covers “body modification,” not performance art or fetish play.
[IMAGE: Screenshot of a policy exclusion list highlighting “Genitalia” and “Sub-dermal Implants”.]