Insurance is not exciting to think about. But for a tradesperson it is one of the few costs that protects against something that could end the business overnight, not just dent this month's profit.
Public liability insurance is the one most people ask about
It covers claims if your work causes injury to someone else or damage to their property. Many clients, especially commercial ones, will ask to see proof of it before hiring you, regardless of trade.
Tools and equipment cover
If your income depends on tools you own, price out cover for theft or damage, including from a vehicle. Replacing a van full of tools out of pocket is a serious setback.
Professional indemnity — mainly for advice-based work
This matters if part of your work involves giving advice or designs a client later relies on, such as a specification or a plan. It is less relevant for purely hands-on trade work, but worth checking if any of your work includes that.
Get quotes from more than one insurer before renewing. Trade insurance pricing varies more than most people expect for very similar cover.
What clients actually ask for
Larger clients, and any work involving other contractors on site, often require proof of insurance before they will even issue a purchase order. Check what is commonly expected in your trade before you are asked mid-negotiation.
Read the exclusions, not just the headline cover amount
A £2 million public liability policy sounds reassuring until you discover it excludes the specific type of work you actually do most. Work at height above a certain limit is a common example, or a particular trade activity that needs its own endorsement. Ask the insurer directly whether your day-to-day work is covered. Do not assume a big headline number means everything is included.
Keep your certificate of insurance somewhere you can send it in under a minute, like a saved PDF on your phone, not a folder at home. Being asked for proof on-site and not having it to hand looks worse than not having the cover at all.
Frequently asked questions
What does public liability insurance cover for a tradesperson?
It covers claims if your work causes injury to someone else or damage to their property, and many clients, especially commercial ones, ask to see proof of it before hiring you.
Is professional indemnity insurance relevant to hands-on trade work?
It mainly matters if part of your work involves giving advice or designs a client later relies on, such as a specification or plan — it is less relevant for purely hands-on trade work.
Is a high headline cover amount enough when choosing a policy?
No — read the exclusions, not just the headline cover amount, since a policy can exclude the specific type of work you do most, such as work at height above a certain limit, so ask the insurer directly whether your day-to-day work is covered.
Written by the BillSend team
BillSend makes simple quoting and invoicing software for solo tradespeople and freelancers. Our guides cover the practical side of running a one-person business. They're general guidance, not legal, tax or insurance advice, so check anything specific to your situation with the relevant official body or a qualified adviser.
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