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MANDATORY INSURANCE FOR CONTRACTORS
Insurance Required to Work as a Contractor
Most UK organisations require contractors to hold specific insurance policies before starting work. These protect against claims, contractual breaches, and liabilities arising from professional activities.
Essential Contractor Insurance Requirements
- Professional Indemnity (required by most contracts)
- Public Liability Insurance
- Employers’ Liability (if you subcontract or employ staff)
- Cyber Liability for IT & digital contractors
- Contractual liability required by agencies
- Business Equipment & Tools Cover
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What insurance is normally required in contractor agreements?
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Is Employers’ Liability needed if I work alone?
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Do IT contractors need Cyber Insurance?
Related Covers
Explore related cover for client-mandated wording, IR35-linked requirements, role-specific standards, and the core policies contractors are usually expected to hold.
Requirements & IR35
Core Cover
Contractor insurance review points
Contractor insurance should line up with the contract wording, the work being performed, the legal entity, site rules, professional duties and the certificates clients expect before work starts.
For contract requirements enquiries, the strongest quote presentation usually combines the immediate cover request with wider risk information, contract obligations and evidence of controls.
Contract checks
- Required liability limits, professional indemnity wording and any named-insured or principal clauses
- Whether the work is design, advice, project management, physical contracting or labour-only supply
- IR35, agency, public-sector, NHS, BBC, BT, utilities or large-client insurance conditions
Cover areas to compare
- Professional indemnity, public liability, employers' liability and cyber liability
- Tools, plant, contract works, temporary works, goods in transit and personal accident
- Working at height, bona fide subcontractors, labour-only subcontractors and on-site exposure
Quote evidence
- Contract excerpts, statement of work, turnover, fees, wage roll and subcontractor split
- Activities, qualifications, site type, claims history and required start date
- Certificate name, trading style, company number and any client-specific wording