Tradesman insurance: Cover for the tools, the van and the work itself.
Public liability, tools and the rest, from brokers who arrange cover for electricians, plumbers and builders every day.
- Public and employers' liability
- Tools and equipment
- No obligation
What tradesman insurance can cover
Most trades need liability cover as a minimum. What else you add depends on the work, the kit and whether you employ anyone.
- Public liability
- Employers' liability
- Tools and equipment
- Contract works
- Professional indemnity
- Personal accident
- Van and goods in transit
What is tradesman insurance?
Tradesman insurance is a set of business covers for people who work in a trade, such as electricians, plumbers, builders, plasterers and decorators. It usually starts with public liability and can add employers' liability, tools, contract works and personal accident. You pick the parts that match your work.
It is often sold as a package, but each part does a different job. Knowing what each one covers makes it easier to compare quotes and avoid paying for something you don't need.
Do tradespeople need public liability insurance by law?
No. Public liability is not a legal requirement in the UK. But many clients, main contractors and councils ask for it before you start work, and some won't let you on site without it. It covers claims if your work injures someone or damages their property.
Think about what happens if a client's ceiling comes down after a leak, or a passer-by trips over your materials. Without public liability, you would have to deal with the claim and its costs yourself.
Contracts sometimes set a minimum level of cover. Check any contract before you choose your limit.
When is employers' liability insurance a legal requirement for tradespeople?
If you employ anyone, employers' liability is usually compulsory by law, with at least £5 million of cover. That can include part-time, temporary and casual staff, and can include some subcontractors and labour-only workers depending on how they work for you. If you work alone with no staff, you may not need it.
Whether a subcontractor counts as an employee for this purpose depends on things like who controls the work and who supplies the tools. If you are unsure, tell the broker exactly who works with you.
You must be able to show your employers' liability certificate to anyone you employ.
What types of cover can tradespeople get?
Most tradespeople start with public liability and add what their work needs. The common options are employers' liability, tools and equipment, contract works, professional indemnity, personal accident and legal expenses. Your van needs its own motor policy.
| Cover | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Public liability | Injury or damage to other people or their property caused by your work |
| Employers' liability | Claims from staff injured or made ill through work |
| Tools and equipment | Theft or damage to your tools, on site, in the van or in storage |
| Contract works | Damage to the work in progress and materials on site before handover |
| Professional indemnity | Claims that your advice or design caused someone a financial loss |
| Personal accident | A payment if you are injured and can't work |
Are my tools covered, and what about overnight in the van?
Tools are not covered by public liability. You need separate tools and equipment cover. Many tools policies have conditions for tools left in a van overnight, such as the van being locked, parked in a certain place, or fitted with extra security. Check those conditions before you rely on the cover.
Keep a list of your tools with serial numbers and receipts or photos. It makes a claim simpler and helps you set the right amount of cover.
What is contract works insurance?
Contract works insurance covers the work you are doing, and the materials on site, against things like fire, flood, theft or vandalism until the job is handed over. If a half-finished extension is damaged, it helps pay to put it right. Some contracts require it.
It is most relevant to builders and trades working on larger jobs over weeks or months. Check whether the client's own insurance or the main contractor's policy already covers the works.
Do I need professional indemnity insurance as a tradesperson?
Only if you give advice or produce designs that others rely on. Professional indemnity covers claims that your advice, design or specification caused a financial loss. A heating engineer who designs systems, or a builder who draws up plans, may need it. Many trades that only carry out work don't.
What does tradesman insurance not cover?
Exclusions vary by insurer, but common ones include the cost of putting right your own faulty work, wear and tear on tools, theft from an unlocked van, and work you didn't declare. Working at heights or with heat can be excluded or limited unless you tell the insurer about it.
- The cost of redoing your own poor workmanship.
- Wear and tear and mechanical breakdown of tools.
- Theft where security conditions weren't met.
- Trades or activities you didn't declare.
- Work above certain heights or involving heat, unless declared and covered.
What does 'excess' mean on a tradesman policy?
The excess is the part of a claim you pay yourself. If a claim is for more than the excess, the insurer pays the rest. Different sections can have different excesses, for example one for tools and another for property damage under public liability. A higher voluntary excess can lower the premium.
Only choose an excess you could afford to pay. Saving on the premium is no help if you can't cover the excess when something goes wrong.
What affects the price of tradesman insurance?
Insurers price on the risk of your work and the size of a possible claim. The main factors are your trade, the level of cover you choose, how many people work for you, your turnover, the value of your tools, and your claims history. Working at heights or with heat can matter too.
- Your trade and the type of jobs you do.
- The public liability limit you choose.
- Number of employees and subcontractors.
- Turnover.
- Value of tools and equipment.
- Height and heat work.
- Claims history.
How can I bring down the cost of tradesman insurance?
Describe your trade accurately and only add the covers you need. Set the public liability limit to what your contracts ask for, keep tools secure, and consider a sensible excess. A broker can quote a few options so you can see which choices actually change the price.
- Match the liability limit to your contracts, not more than you need.
- Value your tools accurately.
- Store tools securely overnight, ideally out of the van.
- Keep records of training and safety checks.
- Pay annually if you can. Paying monthly is often a credit agreement and can cost more overall.
What do I need to get a tradesman insurance quote?
Have your trade, roughly what you turn over, and how many people work with you ready. The broker will also ask the value of your tools, the liability limit you want, whether you work at heights or with heat, and about any claims. Any contract requirements are useful too.
- Your trade and the kinds of jobs you take on.
- Turnover and how long you have been trading.
- Number of employees and subcontractors.
- Value of tools and equipment.
- The liability limit you need, and any contract requirements.
- Claims history.
Tradesman insurance questions
What happens after I submit?
Your details go to specialist brokers who deal with tradesman insurance every day. One of them will call you to run through your options and quotes.
Is there any obligation?
None. You can take a quote, ask for changes, or walk away. Nothing is bought until you say so.
Who are the brokers?
UK-based insurance brokers authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Kompare Limited (FCA reference 794660) is an appointed representative of Rainbow Connected Limited (FRN 749881).
How long does it take?
The form takes about two minutes. Brokers usually call back during working hours.
Do I need employers' liability?
If you employ anyone, even casually, the law says yes. The form asks so the brokers quote for it.
Do I need public liability if I'm a sole trader?
It isn't a legal requirement, but many clients and contractors ask for it before you start work. It covers claims if your work injures someone or damages their property.
Does public liability cover my tools?
No. Tools need their own tools and equipment cover. Check any overnight conditions if you leave them in the van.
Do labour-only subcontractors count as employees?
They can, for employers' liability purposes, depending on how they work for you. Tell the broker exactly who works with you so the cover is right.
Does tradesman insurance cover my van?
No. Your van needs its own van insurance, with the right class of use for carrying your tools and materials.
How much public liability cover do I need?
It depends on your work and your contracts. Some clients set a minimum. Check any contract first and tell the broker what it asks for.
Will my cover pay to redo faulty work?
Usually not. Liability policies cover injury or damage caused by your work, not the cost of putting the work itself right.
Written and checked by the Kompare team · Last updated October 2026
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