Self-Employed Tradesman Insurance
Wide Insurance Panel With 80+ Providers
Cover Options Designed Around Your Business
Excellent Customer Reviews
Tradesman Insurance
Whether you’re a builder, electrician, plumber, roofer, carpenter or another skilled tradesperson, having the right insurance can help protect your business when unexpected events happen.
At 1st Choice Insurance, we help self-employed tradespeople, sole traders and small businesses arrange insurance designed around the work they do. We can help you explore cover options that suit your trade, whether you’re just starting out or managing a growing business.
Depending on your requirements, tradesman insurance can include public liability insurance, employers’ liability insurance, tools cover, contract works insurance, commercial vehicle insurance and other optional covers to help protect your business against everyday risks.
Our team takes the time to understand your business and explain the cover options available, helping you make an informed decision about the protection that’s right for you.
Get a Tradesman Insurance Quote
Whether you’re a sole trader or employ a team of tradespeople, we’re here to help you arrange insurance that supports your business.
Call 03442 347926 or complete our online quote form below.
What is Self Employed Tradesman Insurance?
Self-employed tradesman insurance is designed to help protect tradespeople against many of the risks they face while carrying out their work. From accidental damage to a customer’s property to stolen tools or legal claims made by members of the public, the right insurance can provide valuable financial protection when things don’t go to plan.
Rather than purchasing several individual policies, many tradespeople choose to combine different types of business insurance into one policy. This allows you to select the cover that’s relevant to your business while keeping your insurance straightforward to manage.
Whether you work independently, employ staff or subcontract labour, your insurance can be arranged around the type of work you carry out and the risks associated with your trade.
If your business also relies on vans or other commercial vehicles, we can help arrange suitable commercial vehicle insurance or fleet insurance alongside your tradesman insurance, making it easier to manage your cover in one place.
Who Needs Tradesman Insurance?
Tradesman insurance is suitable for many different occupations across the construction, maintenance, installation and property sectors.
Cover can be arranged for:
- Builders
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Heating Engineers
- Carpenters
- Joiners
- Bricklayers
- Roofers
- Scaffolders
- Groundworkers
- Plasterers
- Painters and Decorators
- Kitchen Fitters
- Bathroom Installers
- Tilers
- Flooring Contractors
- Landscapers
- Gardeners
- Fencing Contractors
- Window and Door Installers
- Cleaners
- Property Maintenance Contractors
- General Builders
- Multi-Trade Contractors
Even if you work alone as a sole trader, insurance can play an important role in protecting your business.
Many commercial customers, local authorities and principal contractors require proof of public liability insurance before allowing work to begin. Having appropriate insurance in place can also provide reassurance to domestic customers and help demonstrate that your business takes its responsibilities seriously.
What Can Tradesman Insurance Cover?
The cover included within a tradesman insurance policy depends on your business and the options you choose. Policies can be tailored to include a range of covers that help protect your business against different risks.
Public Liability Insurance
Public liability insurance is one of the most common covers chosen by tradespeople.
It can provide protection if your business is held legally responsible for accidentally causing injury to another person or damage to someone else’s property while carrying out your work.
For example, if a customer trips over your equipment or accidental damage occurs while working at a client’s premises, public liability insurance may help cover legal costs or compensation, subject to the policy terms and conditions.
Many businesses and contractors require tradespeople to have public liability insurance before awarding work.
Employers’ Liability Insurance
If you employ staff, employers’ liability insurance is usually a legal requirement under UK law.
This cover helps protect your business if an employee becomes injured or develops an illness as a result of the work they carry out for you.
Whether you employ someone full-time, part-time, temporarily or as an apprentice, it’s important to check whether employers’ liability insurance is required for your business.
Tools Insurance
For many tradespeople, tools are among their most valuable business assets.
Tools insurance can help protect against theft or accidental damage to essential equipment, helping you replace important items and minimise disruption to your business.
Whether your tools are kept on-site, stored securely overnight or transported between jobs, cover can often be arranged depending on your requirements and the policy selected.
Contract Works Insurance
Building projects don’t always go as planned.
Contract works insurance helps protect work that is in progress if it’s damaged before the project has been completed and handed over.
This can include damage caused by events such as fire, theft, vandalism or storms, helping reduce the financial impact of having to repeat completed work.
Plant and Equipment Cover
Many trades rely on expensive machinery and specialist equipment.
Plant and equipment cover can help protect owned equipment against damage or theft, while hired-in plant insurance may also be available if your business regularly hires machinery for projects.
Commercial Vehicle Insurance
If you use a van or other commercial vehicle for work, it’s important to have insurance that’s suitable for business use.
Whether you operate a single vehicle or several vans, we can help arrange commercial vehicle insurance alongside your tradesman insurance.
Businesses with multiple vehicles may also benefit from fleet insurance, allowing several vehicles to be insured under one policy.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Some tradespeople provide advice, designs or professional recommendations as part of their work.
Professional indemnity insurance may provide protection if a client claims they’ve suffered a financial loss because of professional advice, specifications or design work you’ve carried out.
This cover is often considered by contractors involved in design-and-build projects, consultancy or specialist installations.
Benefits of Self Employed Tradesman Insurance
Running a trade business involves managing many different responsibilities, from completing projects on time to looking after customers and employees. Having suitable insurance in place can help provide protection against some of the unexpected situations that could affect your business.
Protect Your Business Against Unexpected Claims
Accidents can happen, even when work is completed carefully and professionally. A customer could suffer an injury, property could be accidentally damaged, or a dispute could arise over work carried out.
The right insurance can help protect your business against the financial impact of certain claims, including legal costs and compensation payments where applicable under the terms of your policy.
Protect Your Tools and Equipment
For many tradespeople, tools and equipment are essential to earning an income. If important equipment is stolen or damaged, replacing it can be costly and may prevent you from completing jobs.
Tools insurance can help provide protection for essential equipment, helping you get back to work as quickly as possible following an insured event.
Meet Customer and Contract Requirements
Many contractors, construction companies and commercial clients require tradespeople to hold certain types of insurance before starting work.
Public liability insurance is commonly requested as evidence that your business has protection in place if something goes wrong during a project.
Having appropriate insurance can help you meet these requirements and demonstrate that your business takes professional responsibilities seriously.
Support Your Business Growth
As your business grows, your insurance needs may change.
You may take on employees, purchase additional equipment, work on larger projects or expand into different areas of your trade.
A flexible insurance policy allows you to review your cover as your circumstances change, helping ensure your protection remains suitable for the work you carry out.
Can I Insure More Than One Trade?
Many tradespeople carry out more than one type of work.
For example, a builder may also complete plastering, carpentry or property maintenance work, while an electrician may carry out installation and repair services.
When arranging insurance, it is important to accurately describe all the activities your business undertakes so insurers can consider the appropriate cover options.
Why Use an Insurance Broker for Tradesman Insurance?
Arranging business insurance can sometimes feel complicated, especially when different trades have different risks and requirements.
An insurance broker can help you understand your options and arrange cover from a range of insurers.
Unlike dealing directly with a single insurer, brokers can approach a panel of providers to explore suitable options for your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tradesman Insurance
What is tradesman insurance?
Tradesman insurance is a type of business insurance designed to help protect self-employed tradespeople and small trade businesses against risks associated with their work.
Depending on your requirements, cover can include options such as public liability insurance, employers’ liability insurance, tools insurance, contract works insurance and commercial vehicle insurance.
Do self-employed tradesmen need insurance?
While not all types of tradesman insurance are legally required, having suitable cover can provide valuable protection against unexpected events.
Many customers and contractors require tradespeople to have public liability insurance before work begins.
If you employ staff, employers’ liability insurance is generally a legal requirement.
Is tradesman insurance the same as contractor insurance?
The terms are often used interchangeably, although the exact cover required depends on the type of work carried out.
Tradesman insurance is commonly used for self-employed professionals carrying out practical trade work, while contractor insurance may refer to businesses working on larger projects or contracts.
What insurance does a builder need?
Builders often consider covers such as:
- Public liability insurance
- Employers’ liability insurance (if they employ staff)
- Tools insurance
- Contract works insurance
- Plant and equipment cover
- Commercial vehicle insurance
The right combination depends on the size and activities of the business.
Can I include my van with my tradesman insurance?
Yes. Many tradespeople arrange commercial vehicle insurance alongside their business insurance.
If you operate multiple vans or vehicles, fleet insurance may also be an option.
How much public liability insurance should a tradesman have?
The level of public liability insurance required depends on the type of work you carry out and the requirements of your customers or contractors.
Common levels of cover include £1 million, £2 million, £5 million and £10 million.
Your broker can help you understand the options available for your business.
Can I get insurance for multiple trades?
Many self-employed tradespeople carry out several different types of work.
When arranging insurance, you should provide details of all activities you undertake so your insurer can consider suitable cover.
