We call on tradesmen and women in our time of need to help us fix a leaking pipe or bring power back to our homes when the electrics go wrong. Whether you’re collaborating with other tradespeople to renovate someone’s dream home or dealing with an emergency call-out, you’re always working in an environment where risks are unavoidable.
Tradesman insurance acknowledges the unique set of risks faced by people in the trade, ensuring that you’re not left out of pocket when accidents or the unexpected happen.
What is tradesman insurance?
Tradesman insurance is a specialist policy that offers different types of coverage for self-employed tradespeople and business owners who need to protect themselves against the most common risks associated with their line of work. Although it is based on third-party claims, it can also cover other common financial pressures, such as loss of equipment or personal injury.
When might you need tradesman insurance?
When you enter a client’s property and perform your trade, you’re responsible for ensuring your work doesn’t cause harm. You could be a painter who accidentally spills paint all over an expensive carpet or a carpenter whose extension cable trips up the homeowner, leading to an injury. If you’re deemed at fault for property damage or an injury, you’re liable to pay.
If the tools of your trade are damaged or stolen, you could find yourself unable to perform your trade, halting your earnings. Do you hire machinery and equipment? You’ll need to protect these against damage or theft as the hiring company may not provide this cover as standard.
What are the benefits?
The benefit of tradesman public liability insurance is that you can tailor a policy that reflects the unique needs of your trade or business services. Having the specific cover you need will allow you to work with confidence, knowing that if the unexpected happens, your finances won’t be negatively impacted.
Who needs tradesman liability insurance?
If you’re self-employed, trained in a skilled manual job, or run a building firm that uses tradespeople, you could benefit from tradesman liability insurance. This includes:
- Bricklayers
- Builders
- Carpenters
- Carpet fitters
- Electricians
- Floorers
- Groundworkers
- Kitchen fitters
- Landscapers
- Painters and decorators
- Plasterers
- Plumbers
- Roofers
- Shopfitters
- Tilers
What can be covered?
Although you might not like to think about what could go wrong when working on a building site, it’s essential to appraise what risks your trade makes you face. This will allow you to choose the most relevant forms of coverage. These could include:
- Public liability cover – This should be one of your core covers as it addresses one of your most likely financial strains – a claim made against you by a member of the public for personal injury or property damage. Whether it’s your customer or a passerby, you could be liable to pay compensation if you or your equipment causes an accident. This can be dealt with using public liability cover, and you’ll commonly receive up to £5 million in cover as standard.
- Employer’s liability cover—If you’re a business owner and employ tradespeople, you must take out at least £5 million in employer’s liability insurance. This cover is used should an employee become ill or injured while working for you.
- Professional indemnity cover – This can be used if your customer claims the advice, service, or design you provided caused them to suffer financial losses.
- Tools cover – Make sure you can always replace the vital tools of your trade if they’re damaged or stolen.
- Stock cover—Can you afford to rebuy your building materials should they become damaged or stolen? Add stock cover if you hold high-value materials for your trade.
- Own plant insurance—One of the most valuable assets for a building firm, this cover keeps your plant safe from theft or damage.
- Hired-in plant cover – Ensure you protect the hired-in plant you use, whether it’s a cement mixer or a valuable excavator.
- Contract works cover – This cover means you’re always ready for the unexpected. From storm damage, floods, and fires to vandalism, contract works cover allows you to be reimbursed for the repairs that bring your work back to its pre-disaster state. Ask your insurer if this can protect against uninsured natural disasters.
- Personal accident cover – Even when safety procedures are adhered to, tradespeople are still working in high-risk environments and accidents do happen. Use personal accident cover as a financial cushion should an injury at work (or outside of it) leave you unable to perform your trade for a prolonged period.
- Van insurance – Your van gets you from home to the builder’s merchant, your customer’s house, or the building site. Make sure you’re never left stranded by adding coverage for your work vehicle to a tradesman insurance
Do I need tradesman public liability insurance?
If you’re self-employed, tradesman public liability insurance offers you the valuable peace of mind of knowing you’re financially protected against the unexpected. But what if you’re a tradesperson hired by a firm? You may still wish to take out this insurance if the company’s policy doesn’t provide the types or level of cover your profession requires.
Is tradesman insurance expensive?
You may be surprised by how affordable this type of insurance can be. Some trades are covered for just a few pounds per month.
Park Insurance has been working with tradespeople for over 30 years. With our industry-specific experience, we’ll keep you and your reputation safe with a comprehensive tradesman liability insurance policy. Call our friendly team of insurance experts today to see how Park Insurance can protect your business.