Tradesman Insurance
Compare Tradesman Insurance Quotes
Find tradesman insurance that keeps you covered on the job.
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What Is Tradesman Insurance?
Tradesman insurance is a bundle of cover designed for tradespeople who work on client sites, in homes, or on construction projects.
It typically combines public liability insurance with tools cover, and often includes employers’ liability if you hire staff or use subcontractors.
Rather than buying each policy separately, a tradesman package lets you cover the main risks in one place: injury to a client, damage to their property, stolen tools, and employee claims.
It covers any trade that involves physical work at a client’s property or on a building site, from electricians and plumbers to painters and landscapers.
How To Compare Tradesman Insurance Quotes
To compare tradesman insurance quotes with SimplyQuote, enter your trade details, choose your cover level, & pick from a panel of UK-regulated insurers.
Enter business details
Your trade type, postcode, business structure, turnover, and number of employees.
Choose your cover
Select your public liability level and any extras like tools cover or employers’ liability.
Compare quotes
Review price, excess, exclusions, and what each policy includes.
Buy online
Cover can often start the same day. If you only need cover for a single project, short-term public liability may be a better fit than an annual policy.
Which Trades Need Tradesman Insurance?
Any trade that involves working on someone else’s property carries risk, and insurance protects you when things go wrong.
The trades below are the most common, but tradesman insurance covers dozens of specialisms. If your trade involves physical work at a client’s site, you almost certainly need cover.
Construction and structural trade
Builders
General building, extensions, renovations, and structural alterations.
Bricklayers
Brickwork, blockwork, stonework, and garden walls.
Roofers
Roof repairs, replacements, flat roofing, and leadwork.
Scaffolders
Scaffold erection, dismantling, and temporary access systems.
Construction contractors
Site management, groundwork, demolition, and multi-trade projects.
Mechanical and electrical trades
Electricians
Domestic and commercial wiring, testing, and inspection.
Plumbers
Pipework, bathroom fitting, boiler installation, and emergency callouts
Gas engineers
Boiler servicing, gas fitting, heating systems, and Gas Safe registered work.
Finishing and specialist trades
Carpenters
Joinery, kitchen fitting, door hanging, and bespoke woodwork.
Plasteres
Plastering, rendering, dry lining, and decorative finishes.
Painters and decorators
Interior and exterior painting, wallpapering, and surface prep.
Outdoor and property maintenance trades
Landscapers
Garden design, paving, fencing, decking, and drainage.
Gardeners
Lawn care, hedge trimming, planting, and garden maintenance.
Tree surgeons
Tree felling, pruning, stump removal, and arboricultural surveys.
Window cleaners
Domestic and commercial window cleaning, gutter clearing, and pressure washing.
General and event trades
Handymen
General repairs, flat-pack assembly, tiling, and odd jobs.
Events and entertainment
Stage setup, marquee rigging, AV installation, and festival infrastructure.
Bouncy castle hire
Inflatable hire, soft play setup, and children’s entertainment equipment.
How Much Does Tradesman Insurance Cost?
Most sole traders pay between £100 and £400 per year for a tradesman insurance package, depending on their trade, cover level, and whether they include tools and employers’ liability.
Higher-risk trades like roofing and scaffolding pay more than lower-risk work like painting or gardening. Adding tool cover and employers’ liability increases the total premium, but protects against the claims that could shut your business down.
Typical annual costs by trade
| Trade | PL Only (per year) | Full Package (per year) |
| Painter/Decorator | £80–£130 | £130–£220 |
| Gardener | £75–£120 | £120–£200 |
| Handyman | £85–£140 | £140–£240 |
| Carpenter | £90–£150 | £150–£260 |
| Electrician | £100–£170 | £170–£300 |
| Plumber | £100–£180 | £180–£320 |
| Builder | £120–£220 | £220–£400 |
| Roofer | £150–£280 | £280–£450 |
| Scaffolder | £180–£320 | £320–£500 |
What affects the price?
Your trade is the biggest factor. Insurers price based on claim frequency and severity, so a roofer working at height every day will always pay more than a painter doing ground-level interiors.
Cover level
£2 million public liability is the cheapest option and suits most domestic-only trades. Stepping up to £5 million adds roughly 15–25% to the premium, while £10 million typically costs 30–40% more than £2 million.
Team size and turnover
A sole trader with no employees pays the lowest rate. Each additional employee increases your employers’ liability premium, and higher turnover signals more jobs per year, which means more exposure to claims.
Claims history
A clean record over three or more years gives you the strongest renewal position. Previous claims do not disqualify you, but they increase premiums by 10–30% depending on the claim type and value.
Payment method
Paying annually instead of monthly avoids interest charges that typically add 10–15% to your total cost. On a £300 policy, that is £30 to £45 wasted on financing.
What Does Tradesman Insurance Cover?
A tradesman insurance package typically covers three core risks: injury or damage to third parties, employee claims, and loss of tools.
Public liability
This is the foundation of any tradesman policy. Cover levels range from £2 million to £10 million, with £5 million being the most popular for established trades. If a plumber floods a customer’s kitchen or an electrician’s wiring causes a fire, public liability covers the repair costs and any legal fees.
Employers’ liability
If you employ anyone, including apprentices, part-time helpers, or labour-only subcontractors, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement. The minimum cover is £5 million, but most policies provide £10 million.
Tools and equipment cover
Covers the cost of replacing tools stolen from your van, site, or home. Most policies cover theft, accidental damage, and fire, typically up to £5,000 or £10,000 depending on the provider.
Check whether your policy requires overnight van security measures like locks, alarms, or a secure compound. Many claims are rejected because tools were left in an unlocked vehicle.
Optional add-ons
Many tradesman policies also offer professional indemnity insurance (for design or advisory work), personal accident cover, legal expenses cover, and contract works insurance for larger projects.
What Is Not Covered By Tradesman Insurance?
Tradesman insurance covers a wide range of risks, but every policy has exclusions that you should check before buying.
Common exclusions
| Exclusion | What It Means |
| Faulty workmanship | Covers resulting damage (e.g. a flood from bad pipework) but not the cost of redoing the job itself. |
| Deliberate or criminal acts | Any damage you cause on purpose or through illegal activity is not covered. |
| Wear and tear | Gradual deterioration of tools, equipment, or materials is excluded. |
| Working outside your stated trade | If your policy covers plumbing but you do electrical work, that job is not covered. |
| Vehicles on public roads | Van and vehicle damage is covered by motor insurance, not tradesman insurance. |
| Professional advice claims | Covered separately under professional indemnity, not public liability. |
Height and hot works restrictions
Some policies limit cover for work above a certain height (often 10 metres) or exclude hot works like welding, soldering, or using blow torches. If your trade involves either, confirm these are covered before you buy.
How Do You Choose The Right Cover Level?
The right cover level depends on who you work for, the size of your projects, and what your contracts require.
Domestic work only
£2 million public liability is enough for most tradespeople doing domestic jobs: bathroom fitting, decorating, garden work, and general repairs. The risk per job is lower because property values and foot traffic are limited.
Commercial and contract work
£5 million is the most common requirement for commercial contracts, local authority work, and letting agent agreements. If you regularly work on occupied commercial premises, this is usually the minimum you will be asked for.
Large sites and high-value projects
£10 million is required for major construction sites, public infrastructure, NHS and government contracts, and any project where large numbers of people could be affected by an incident.
When to step up
If you are regularly being asked for a higher level of cover than you currently hold, it is worth stepping up. The premium increase from £2m to £5m is typically 15–25%, which is far less than losing a contract.
How To Make A Tradesman Insurance Claim
If something goes wrong on a job, report it to your insurer as soon as possible, even if you are not sure whether it will become a formal claim.
Stop and secure the site
If there is damage or an injury, make the area safe and take photos of the scene. Do not admit liability or agree to pay for anything before speaking to your insurer.
Notify your insurer
Call the claims line on your policy documents, most insurers have a 24-hour phone number. Give them the date, location, what happened, and the names of anyone involved.
Gather evidence
Keep copies of any correspondence with the client, photos of the damage, receipts for materials, and your original job quote. The more evidence you provide, the faster the claim is processed.
Let the insurer handle it
Once reported, your insurer appoints a loss adjuster or claims handler. They deal with the client directly, negotiate any settlement, and cover legal costs if the claim is disputed.
What Does A Tradesman Insurance Claim Look Like?
Most tradesman claims fall into three categories: accidental property damage, third-party injury, and tool theft.
Property damage
A plumber fitting a new bathroom accidentally punctures a water pipe behind a wall. The resulting leak damages the customer’s hallway ceiling and flooring, costing £4,500 to repair. Public liability covers the repair bill and any legal costs if the customer disputes the amount.
Third-party injury
A painter leaves a dust sheet on a staircase while working in an upstairs room. The homeowner’s elderly parent trips on it and breaks a wrist, resulting in a £12,000 compensation claim.
Without insurance, the painter would pay this out of pocket. With PL cover, the insurer handles the claim and legal fees.
Tool theft
An electrician parks his van overnight on a residential street. By morning, someone has forced the rear doors and taken £3,200 worth of power tools and testing equipment.
Tool cover reimburses the replacement cost, minus the policy excess, so the electrician can re-equip and get back to work within days rather than weeks.
How Is Tradesman Insurance Different From Public Liability?
Public liability covers one risk: third-party injury or property damage. Tradesman insurance is a package that adds tools cover, employers’ liability, and personal accident on top of that.
What public liability covers on its own
Standalone public liability pays out if your work injures someone or damages their property. It does not cover your tools, your employees, your income if you are injured, or any advice you give.
For a freelance consultant or office-based business with no physical risk, PL alone may be enough.
What tradesman insurance adds
A tradesman package wraps PL together with tools cover, employers’ liability, and usually personal accident. Some policies also include legal expenses and contract works cover.
The cost of buying PL, tools, and EL separately is almost always higher than a combined tradesman policy. Bundling also means one renewal date and one insurer to deal with.
Which should you choose?
If you work alone from home, carry no valuable tools to site, and have no employees, standalone PL is the simpler and cheaper option.
If you carry tools in a van, work on client properties, or hire anyone, a tradesman package is the better fit. The added cover costs relatively little on top of PL and protects against the risks that actually shut tradespeople down: tool theft and employee claims.
Do Self-Employed Tradespeople Need Insurance?
Self-employed tradespeople are personally liable for every job they do, which means a single claim comes out of your own pocket, not a company’s.
A limited company has its own legal identity, so claims hit the business rather than you personally. As a sole trader, there is no separation: your savings, your van, and your home are all exposed.
The right business insurance removes that risk and lets you take on work without putting your personal assets on the line.
What the law requires
Public liability is not legally required, but employers’ liability is compulsory if you hire anyone, even a part-time labourer. Fines for non-compliance start at £2,500 per day.
What clients expect
Most homeowners, letting agents, and commercial landlords ask to see proof of insurance before work starts. Sole traders who carry a valid certificate win more work and get paid faster than those without.
CIS and subcontractor requirements
If you work under the Construction Industry Scheme, most principal contractors require you to hold at least £2 million public liability before they will take you on. Some specify £5 million or £10 million depending on the contract value.
What Is Tool Cover & Do You Need It?
Tool cover insures your hand tools, power tools, and specialist equipment against theft, accidental damage, and fire.
For most tradespeople, tools are the second biggest business expense after a van. Replacing a full set of power tools after a van break-in can cost £2,000 to £5,000, and delays while you re-equip mean lost income on top.
What is typically covered?
Theft from a locked vehicle, theft from a secure site or premises, accidental damage while in use, and fire or flood damage. Some policies also cover hired or borrowed tools.
What is not covered?
Tools left in an unlocked vehicle, gradual wear, or tools lent to someone outside your business. Most policies also set a single-item limit, so high-value equipment like laser levels or diagnostic machines may need to be listed separately.
How much does tool cover cost?
Typically £30 to £80 per year for up to £5,000 of cover, or £60 to £120 for up to £10,000. Many tradesman packages include a basic level of tool cover as standard.
How To Reduce The Cost Of Tradesman Insurance
The easiest way to cut your premium is to compare quotes from multiple insurers rather than auto-renewing with your current provider.
Pay annually
Monthly instalments typically add 10–15% to the total cost through interest and admin fees. Paying upfront saves £30 to £60 per year on an average tradesman policy.
Match your cover to your risk
A sole trader doing domestic painting does not need £10 million public liability. Dropping from £10m to £2m can save 20–30% on your PL premium without leaving you underinsured.
Improve your security
Van locks, tool safes, site CCTV, and overnight secure storage all reduce your theft risk. Insurers reward this with lower premiums, and organisations like the Federation of Master Builders publish best-practice guides for site security.
Keep a clean claims record
Every claim-free year strengthens your renewal position. Some insurers offer no-claims discounts of up to 20% after three consecutive claim-free years.
Bundle your cover
Buying PL, tools, and employers’ liability as a tradesman package is almost always cheaper than three separate policies. Bundling also means one renewal date and one insurer to deal with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Public liability insurance is not legally required, but employers’ liability is compulsory if you hire anyone. Most clients and contractors also require proof of PL cover before allowing you on site.
£2 million is enough for most domestic-only tradespeople. Trades working on commercial sites or council contracts typically need £5 million or £10 million.
Not automatically, you need to add tools and equipment cover to your policy. This typically costs £30 to £80 per year for up to £5,000 of cover.
Yes, most insurers accept previous claims, though your premium will be higher. Declare all past claims honestly, as non-disclosure can void your policy.
Public liability covers one risk: third-party injury or property damage. Tradesman insurance is a bundle that includes public liability plus tools cover, employers’ liability, and optional extras like personal accident.
Yes, the size of the job does not change the risk. A leaking tap repair can cause £10,000 of water damage just as easily as a major renovation.
Yes. Some insurers offer project-based or short-term policies lasting from one day to a few months, which is useful for contract work or seasonal trades.
It depends on the policy. Some cover bona fide subcontractors under your public liability, while others require them to hold their own insurance.
Yes, gas engineers are one of the most common trades covered. Your policy should reflect the specific risks of gas work, and you will need your Gas Safe registration number when getting a quote.
Most online comparison tools provide quotes in minutes. Cover can often start the same day or next working day, depending on the insurer.
