Do You Need Insurance as a Solo Tradesperson?

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.

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.