Is tradesman insurance one policy or several?

It is usually a single policy made up of several covers you select, so you only pay for what your trade actually needs.

Does it cover work I've already finished?

Many policies include products or completed works liability, but cover varies, so check the policy wording.

Can I cover more than one trade?

Yes, multi-trade cover is common, but you must declare every activity you carry out so that claims are not refused.

Trades

What does tradesman insurance cover?

What tradesman insurance usually covers: public liability, employers' liability, tools cover and optional extras, explained in plain English.

Tradesman insurance is a bundle of covers built around your trade. It typically combines public liability, employers' liability (if you have staff) and tools cover into one policy, so you are protected against the most common risks of working on other people's property.

What's usually included

Rather than a single fixed product, tradesman insurance lets you build a policy from the covers that match your work. Most tradespeople combine:

Public liability for injury or property damage you cause to clients or members of the public
Employers' liability if you employ anyone, including casual or labour-only staff
Tools cover for theft of, or damage to, your equipment

Public liability

Public liability is the cover most tradespeople think of first. If a customer trips over your cable, or you damage a client's kitchen while fitting a worktop, it can pay compensation and legal costs. It is not required by law, but many clients and contractors ask to see it before you start. Read more in our guide to tradesman insurance.

Employers' liability

If you take on staff, even part time or casually, employers' liability is generally a legal requirement. It covers claims from employees who are injured or become ill because of their work for you.

Tools cover

Tools cover protects the kit you rely on to earn a living. Limits, overnight conditions and settlement terms vary between policies, so it is worth reading the detail.

Optional extras

You can often add:

Professional indemnity, if you give advice or produce designs that a client relies on
Contract works, which covers the work in progress until it is handed over
Personal accident, which can pay out if you are injured and unable to work

The right mix depends on your trade, whether you work alone and the contracts you take on. Looking at quotes side by side helps you see what each policy includes.

How Kompare can help

You fill in a short form about your trade and the cover you are interested in, and a specialist FCA-authorised broker from our panel contacts you to talk through quotes. See how we work for more.