Tradesman Insurance

Compare tradesman public liability insurance

Tradesman insurance is a bundle of business covers for people who work in a trade, such as plumbers, electricians, decorators and builders. It usually starts with public liability, which can pay injury or damage claims from customers and the public. You can then add cover for tools, staff and legal costs.

Of these covers, only employers’ liability is required by law, once you employ staff, with a minimum of £5 million unless an exemption applies (GOV.UK). On Quotezone, one short form lets you compare quotes from providers on our panel.

As a tradesman, you’ll spend most of your time fixing, making or improving things for other people but what’s your safety net when things take an unexpected turn?

Tradesman insurance is there to give you the help you need when you need it most; here’s what to consider.

What is tradesman insurance?

It’s a type of business insurance designed to protect tradesmen from financial loss if anything goes wrong. For example, if a customer was injured by your equipment, their property was damaged by your machinery or your tools were stolen by a thief tradesman insurance could cover the cost of repairs or replacements.

Who needs tradesman insurance?

Policies can be tailored to suit a broad range of trades – whether you’re a self-employed man (or woman) with a van or run a small business with employees. Some of the most popular tradesman insurance policies include:

• Insurance for Plasterers 
• Insurance for Contractors 
• Insurance for Plumbers 
• Insurance for Electricians
• Insurance for Carpenters 
• Insurance for Scaffolders
• Insurance for Painters 

What does insurance for tradesmen UK include?

Tradesman insurance varies according to the insurer so it’s vital you know what is and isn’t covered by reading the small print.
It’s also worth knowing that most insurers will give you the option of adding on extra features for a small increase in your premium – giving you complete peace of mind. Features to look for include:

• Tradesman public liability insurance – this covers the cost of legal advice and compensation if someone blames you for damage or injury and takes you to court. Insurers offer differing levels of tradesman liability insurance ranging from £1 million up to £5 million, although some policies will cover you up to as much as £10 million.
• Employers’ liability insurance – covers claims made by employees if they become sick or are injured through work.
• Tradesman tool insurance – pays to replace damaged or stolen tools.
• Legal expenses insurance – pays for legal advice if you’re involved in a dispute.
• Business buildings and contents insurance – compensates you for damage or destruction of your business premises (if you have one).

You can also include contents cover for any office equipment you own – like desks and computers.

Do I need tradesman insurance by law?

Tradesman insurance isn’t a legal requirement but if you have any employees (including part timers) then you will need at least £5 million worth of employers’ liability by law. There are a few exemptions which you can find at the Health and Safety Executive. If you need employers’ liability but don’t have it, you could face a daily £2,500 fine.

What isn’t covered by tradesman insurance?

Almost all policies will have events and incidents they don’t cover – these are known as exclusions and often include:

• Wear and tear – you won’t be able to claim for repairs or replacements to tools or equipment worn through age.
• Negligence – this can include things like not securing premises or equipment properly so if your van was unlocked and tools were stolen, your insurer might not pay out.
• Working abroad – some policies will cover you if you spend a limited amount of time abroad but not if that’s where the bulk of your work takes place. Check to see exactly what your policy says as you might need specific cover to trade outside of the UK.
• Asbestos – most policies will cover you for accidental contact with asbestos but not if you’re undertaking any planned work where you know you’ll be exposed to it.

Cover for your tools and equipment

Public liability won’t replace your own kit if it’s stolen or damaged. Tool cover can, and it’s usually added to a tradesman policy for an extra premium.

Insurers set their own rules for kit left in a vehicle overnight, such as a locked van, so check them before you buy. Give the full replacement value of your tools, as a lower figure could reduce what a claim pays.

How much does tradesman insurance cost?

Cost will depend on all sorts of factors such as the trade you’re in, the type of risks you face and the features you need but it’s important to not be swayed by price alone.

Cheap tradesman insurance might look like a great deal, but it could end up far pricier compared to more comprehensive policies by the time you’ve added on extra features. Even worse, cheaper policies may not give you the cover you need, which potentially means paying for loss or damages yourself.

Insurers usually look at your trade, turnover, staff numbers, claims history and the limit of indemnity you choose. Insurance Premium Tax is then added at the standard rate of 12% (GOV.UK).

As an illustration, a self-employed decorator working alone may only need public liability and tool cover. A roofing firm with three employees works at height and also needs employers’ liability, so its premium is likely to be higher.

Compare tradesman UK insurance

At Quotezone, we understand how important it is to get the protection you need at a price you can afford which is why we work with a range of trusted tradesman insurers to give you the most choice and the best value.

To find tradesman insurance that suits you, simply tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll bring back quotes that fit the bill. For a truly independent and unbiased service, start your search with us now.

Cover for specific trades

For most trades, start with the business form at the top of this page. Some trades also have their own Quotezone page with more detail:

• Builders: cover for building firms and self-employed builders, including contract works for jobs in progress
• Gardeners and landscapers can compare cover that includes mowers, hedge cutters and other garden equipment
• Roofers can compare liability cover for work on customers’ roofs

Tradesman public liability insurance

Public liability cover can pay compensation, and your legal costs, if a customer or member of the public says your work injured them or damaged their property. The HSE says it covers claims from the public or other businesses, but not claims by your employees (HSE).

What does public liability cover pay for?

Typical claims against a tradesperson might involve:

• a customer tripping over a cable or tool bag left in their hallway
• water from a pipe you were fitting soaking a client’s ceiling and carpets
• dust or paint spoiling furniture you were asked to work around
• a passer-by hit by a tool or material dropped from a ladder

It isn’t designed to replace your own tools or put right your own workmanship, and injuries to your staff come under employers’ liability instead. Wordings vary, so check what your policy leaves out.

Is public liability cover compulsory for tradespeople?

No. The government’s business.gov.uk service lists employers’ liability and motor insurance as the cover a business is legally required to have. Public liability isn’t on that list, and the HSE describes it as generally voluntary.

Some work does make it a condition. To dig up a road, or put anything in it, for building work in England or Wales, you need a road occupation licence from the council. The council will also ask for a public liability certificate (GOV.UK).

Why do customers and sites ask for proof of cover?

A homeowner, main contractor or venue may make cover a condition of giving you the job. Government guidance gives working with the public, going to clients and contract terms as reasons a business needs it (business.gov.uk).

Keep a copy of your certificate on your phone, so you can show it when a site manager or customer asks.

How much cover do tradespeople choose?

You pick a limit of indemnity, which caps what the policy pays on a claim (business.gov.uk). For example, a quote might be for £1 million, £2 million or £5 million of cover. These are examples only, not a guide to what you need.

Sometimes a minimum is set for you. A firm that subcontracts chargepoint installs, and applies to OZEV as an authorised installer representative, must show a public liability certificate of at least £2 million (GOV.UK).

If nobody sets a figure, think about the costliest mistake your work could cause, such as a leak that floods the flat below. A higher limit usually costs more, so weigh the price against that risk.

To compare tradesman liability insurance, fill in Quotezone’s short business form with your trade and the limit you want. Our public liability hub explains how the cover works for other kinds of business.

You might also need

Your van needs its own motor policy, as a tradesman policy doesn’t usually cover it. You must have motor insurance to drive on UK roads (GOV.UK), and the policy should cover business use if you drive for work (business.gov.uk). Compare van insurance on Quotezone.

If an injury or illness would stop you working, accident, sickness and unemployment cover can pay a monthly amount towards your bills.