Tradesman Insurance

It is not a legal obligation to insure yourself as a tradesman, unless you have employees then employer’s liability is a legal requirement. However, getting fully insured is a good idea and could save you hassle in the long run. 

A lot of tradespeople have expensive tools and can't work without them. If something was to go wrong, would you have the money to instantly replace your tools? If the answer is no, then insurance can help give you the peace of mind you need. 

It’s worth keeping in mind that a lot of clients choose not to work with tradesmen who don’t have valid insurance credentials.

If you’re a sole trader working as a painter or decorator, or if you own a family building business, it’s essential to think about tradesman insurance. Here is a list of the some of trades suitable: 

• Bricklayers
• Plasterers 
• Builders 
• Painters 
• Decorators  
• Plumber 
• Mason 
• Electrician 
• Roofer 
• Welder 

We also offer specific workshop insurance for carpenters, joiners and mechanical or electrical repair specialists. If your business relies on specific types of equipment or specialist tools, it could be worth taking out this type of insurance to recover the costs if any of it is lost, damaged or stolen.  

You’re not required by law to have all types of insurance cover, but it’s a good idea to consider them. You’ll want to help protect yourself from: 

• Paint, wallpaper paste and other materials can be a hazard for falls and slips and also damage walls, carpets and flooring in a property. This could result in property damage and injury claims against you which can be costly 
• Theft of your expensive, professional tools can really put you out. Tool theft is a growing business, and sometimes a lock on your garage isn’t enough to stop thieves, so it’s best to consider insurance. 
• Back strains, shoulder rotator cuff injuries and more can happen to tradespeople. Lifting heavy materials, working on a ladder or in small spaces all increase the risk of injury for you or your employees. Even if you’re a sole trader and you badly injure your back, you’ll need insurance cover to help in case you’re out of work for a while.  
• Failing products and installations can cause unhappy customers and a hassle for you if things don’t go to plan. Tradesman insurance can help cover your back if one of your employees messes up a job, and a customer claims against you. 

Prices could start from around 23p per day*.

Your costs will vary depending on several factors, including: where your business is located, the cover you take out and your claims history. Get in touch with a member of our insurance team to find out how much you’re looking to pay for tradesman insurance. 

_{*The price is for a trades and professions policy – 10% of customers who were sold with one of our panel providers paid £84.20 or less annually (excluding any additional administration fees) between 01/01/25 & 31/12/2025. Equivalent to £7.02 a month or £0.23 a day (and excludes the extra costs for paying monthly). Your actual policy and price may vary depending on your business requirements.}

Tradesmen or trade businesses should consider insurance cover to help protect from financial losses related to employee injury or illness, and damage, loss or theft of your tools and equipment.  

At Bionic, we have access to a trusted panel of insurers and work with them to find cover that fits your unique business needs, so you are always properly insured but only have what you need. Start your business insurance comparison online today.