Public liability insurance can protect you against work-related compensation claims for damage to property or injuries to other people. Some clients will ask for evidence you have this before agreeing to work with you.
Tradesman insurance is designed to protect tradespeople against a wide variety of risks and unforeseen challenges that can arise during the course of their work. Whether it's accidents, equipment damage, injuries, or even theft, these incidents can disrupt your business and impact your bottom line.
Having the right tradesman insurance ensures you’re covered for a range of potential issues, including:
Replacement of essential tools and equipment: If your vital equipment is damaged or stolen, insurance can help cover the cost of replacement, ensuring minimal disruption to your work.
Wage protection: If a job is delayed or unable to be completed due to unforeseen circumstances, insurance can help cover wages or other essential business expenses.
Legal and compensation costs: If a customer or third party decides to sue you for damages or injury, tradesman insurance can help cover the legal fees and any compensation claims that may arise.
Tradesman insurance can be tailored to your specific trade, ensuring that you only pay for the coverage that’s relevant to your work, without unnecessary extras. This flexibility makes it easier to get the right protection for your business, giving you peace of mind while you focus on your trade.
If you employ anyone - even on a temporary basis - employers’ liability insurance is likely to be a legal obligation. The only main exception is if you just employ immediate family.
In any case, traders’ insurance is all about protecting yourself against risk. By risk we mean pretty much anything from accidentally damaging someone's property to problems that delay a job. It could cover a legal case for negligence or the risk of injury to you, your colleagues or a third party while working on a job.
Public liability insurance can protect you against work-related compensation claims for damage to property or injuries to other people. Some clients will ask for evidence you have this before agreeing to work with you.
If you have anyone working for you who isn’t immediate family - even if they're apprentices or temporary staff - you’re likely to need employers’ liability insurance. Without it, you could be fined £2,500 a day. You might even face a fine of £1,000 for not correctly displaying your insurance certificate. This cover can protect you from claims made by staff if they get sick or injured on the job.
Tools insurance can pay for repairs or replacements if your equipment is lost, stolen or damaged. It can be purchased as a standalone cover or as part of a more comprehensive policy.
Contract works cover is there in case something beyond your control - for example fire, theft or storm damage - stops you from working. It can cover the cost of materials and labour already used up to the point of claim. With this cover in place you get the property repaired and back up to the point you were at before the job stopped.
An injury can leave you unable to work for some time - perhaps even permanently. Personal accident cover pays a cash benefit in the event of certain injuries to offer some protection against that risk.
Stock insurance covers materials such as wood, paint and tiles - letting you replace materials needed to finish, or even start, a job. Just like tool insurance, you need to make sure the materials are securely stored. Overnight van cover is available as an extra.
Public liability insurance can protect you against work-related compensation claims for damage to property or injuries to other people. Some clients will ask for evidence you have this before agreeing to work with you.
If you have anyone working for you who isn’t immediate family - even if they're apprentices or temporary staff - you’re likely to need employers’ liability insurance. Without it, you could be fined £2,500 a day. You might even face a fine of £1,000 for not correctly displaying your insurance certificate. This cover can protect you from claims made by staff if they get sick or injured on the job.
Tools insurance can pay for repairs or replacements if your equipment is lost, stolen or damaged. It can be purchased as a standalone cover or as part of a more comprehensive policy.
Contract works cover is there in case something beyond your control - for example fire, theft or storm damage - stops you from working. It can cover the cost of materials and labour already used up to the point of claim. With this cover in place you get the property repaired and back up to the point you were at before the job stopped.
An injury can leave you unable to work for some time - perhaps even permanently. Personal accident cover pays a cash benefit in the event of certain injuries to offer some protection against that risk.
Stock insurance covers materials such as wood, paint and tiles - letting you replace materials needed to finish, or even start, a job. Just like tool insurance, you need to make sure the materials are securely stored. Overnight van cover is available as an extra.
The beauty of tradesman insurance is you can pick and choose the cover you take out depending on your business needs.
That means if all you want is tools cover, that's all you need to take out - but if you want a wider set of protections then you can add them in too.
The only non-negotiable insurance is employers’ liability cover, which you usually need to have if you're employing anyone from an apprentice or a temporary worker all the way through to full-time staff.
However, if self-selecting seems a bit much, providers often produce pre-built packages of insurance for specific trades.
Some of the most common pre-built packages are:
Electrician’s insurance
Gardener's insurance
Roofer's insurance
Cleaner's insurance
Painter and decorator’s insurance
Carpenter's insurance
Handyman’s insurance
Most trades insurance starts at £6.19 a month, but the price can vary quite a bit – with factors such as the covers you choose, your location, employee count and turnover affecting how much you’ll pay.
Here are some real-life examples of quotes for tradesperson insurance:
Factors | Scenario 1 | Scenario 2 | Scenario 3 |
---|---|---|---|
Number of Employees | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Turnover | £50,000 | £100,000 | £250,00 |
Public Liability | £1,000,000 | £2,000,000 | £2,000,000 |
Employers' Liability | N/A | N/A | £10,000,000 |
Commercial Legal Protection | N/A | £100,000 | N/A |
Contract Works | N/A | N/A | £250,000 |
Tools | N/A | £2,500 | £5,000 |
Monthly Cost | £6.19 | £20.58 | £57.22 |
Superscript - 10% of tradespeople paid £6.19 a month or less for their business insurance between April and June 2023.
These are real quotes given to Superscript customers for traders' insurance.
When searching for the right tradesman insurance, it's crucial to assess your business's unique needs, as not all policies will cover the same risks. Here are the key factors to consider when selecting tradesman insurance:
Employers' liability insurance: If you have staff, employers’ liability insurance is a must. It provides coverage in case an employee is injured or becomes ill while working for you.
Tool and equipment insurance: As a tradesman, your tools and equipment are essential to your work. If you frequently work on different sites, the risk of theft or damage is higher. Tool insurance will help cover the cost of replacing stolen or damaged tools.
Public liability insurance: Accidents can happen, especially when you're working around people and their property. Public liability insurance protects you if your work causes damage to someone else's property or injures a third party. For example, a scaffolding joint falling on a passer-by or spilling paint on a customer’s carpet. The potential costs of these accidents can be substantial, so this coverage is essential for many tradespeople.
When looking for tradesman insurance, make sure the coverage you select is adequate for the types of risks your business faces. Consider the nature of your work, the locations where you operate, your turnover, and whether you have employees. If you’re unsure about what’s best for your business, it’s worth consulting with an insurer or broker who can help guide you towards the right policy based on your specific needs.
Work out what you'd like to be covered for. For example, you won’t need employer's liability cover if you're self-employed and work alone.
How much public liability cover do you need? What will it cost to replace your tools? While underestimating could leave you in the lurch, there's no point paying for more cover than you need either.
The excess on a policy is how much of any claim you have to pay yourself. A bigger excess can mean cheaper quotes, but will mean you have to pay more if you do claim.
We qualify, quantify and offer insurance using data, analysis and technology, and we serve a wide range of business types — from dog walkers and dieticians, to landlords and locksmiths. Enro Ltd t/a Superscript is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Yes, tradesman insurance can absolutely cover freelancers. In fact, certain aspects of tradesman insurance, such as personal accident cover and tool cover, are particularly beneficial for self-employed tradespeople.
As a freelancer, your tools are likely essential to your work, and tool cover ensures you're protected against theft, loss, or damage. Personal accident cover can also provide financial support if you’re injured and unable to work, helping you to maintain income during recovery. Additionally, public liability insurance can cover any damage to third-party property or injuries caused during your work, offering peace of mind while you operate independently.
For freelancers, having tradesman insurance tailored to your specific needs is crucial to ensure you’re covered for the risks you face. It helps safeguard your business, providing essential protection in case of accidents, damage, or theft, allowing you to focus on delivering quality work to your clients.
If you employ anyone, even as an apprentice or on a temporary basis, you need to have employers’ liability insurance. The main exception is if you only employ direct family members.
No other sort of cover is legally mandated, however, clients may request proof of cover, such as public liability or professional indemnity, before offering contracts. You may also need certain cover in order to join trade associations or professional organisations.
Tools and materials stored in a vehicle overnight are not always covered by default under most insurance policies. However, many providers offer the option to add overnight van cover to your policy for an additional cost.
If you choose to include this benefit, it’s important to ensure that your van is securely locked and parked in a safe, protected location, such as a private driveway or a well-lit area. By taking these precautions, you'll help minimise the risk of theft or damage to your tools and materials, and your insurance will provide the necessary protection should an incident occur.
Before purchasing this add-on, it’s advisable to review the policy's terms and conditions to ensure your coverage aligns with your needs, especially if your work involves storing valuable tools or materials in your vehicle overnight.
Whether you're covered while working abroad depends on the specifics of your insurance policy and the location where you'll be working. Many policies include coverage for working in Europe as standard, but if you're planning to work outside these areas, you may need to add international coverage to your plan for an additional fee.
It’s essential to carefully review your policy's terms and conditions (T&Cs) to understand the extent of coverage for overseas work. If you’re unsure about your policy's provisions, it’s always a good idea to speak directly with your insurer to confirm the coverage details and avoid any unexpected gaps in protection when working abroad.
In many cases, your insurance policy can cover claims arising from the actions of your employees, particularly under employers’ liability or public liability insurance. However, it's crucial to review your policy's terms and conditions (T&Cs) to ensure that you're fully protected.
Some policies may have exclusions or specific requirements regarding employee actions, so always double-check the coverage details. If you're unsure about the specifics, it's wise to consult with your insurance provider to clarify whether you're fully covered for any potential claims resulting from your employees' actions. This will help safeguard your business from unexpected liabilities.
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