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Public liability
Defence and covered compensation where your work leads to alleged third-party injury or property damage.
Trades and contractor insurance
Tradesman Insurance for UK Contractors
Compare liability, tools, plant and contract works cover—matched to your exact trade, labour model, locations and contract values.
FCA-authorised broker
Sole traders and contracting firms
Cover subject to underwriting
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Working with insurer markets
Market access and cover availability depend on trade, disclosure, claims history, underwriting appetite and policy terms.
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- AXA
Cover for your trade and working arrangements
Tradesman insurance can combine public liability, tools and selected contract-works or staff cover for the trades you declare. Your activities, sites, employees and subcontractors determine what needs review; available cover is subject to insurer terms.
For general definitions, read public liability insurance. For contracting exposures, see contractor public liability cover; self-employed builders can use sole-trader construction insurance. For portable assets, review business tools and equipment insurance.
Declare the work accurately
Build cover around the trade you actually perform
A tradesman policy can combine several sections, but cover depends on the declared activities, workforce, contract sizes, tools and site exposures.
Employers’ liability
Employee injury or illness cover, normally required for most businesses employing staff, subject to limited exemptions.
Tools and equipment
Owned tools and equipment against selected insured events, with security, location and unattended-vehicle conditions.
Contract works
Insured work in progress and materials for contracts that fall within the declared basis and limits.
Owned and hired-in plant
Selected plant exposures with values, responsibility and security arrangements declared correctly.
Professional or design liability
May be needed where the business designs, specifies, surveys, advises or accepts contractual design responsibility.
Choose the right trade route
Risk changes sharply between trades and contract types
Use a specialist route where height, depth, heat, structural work or design responsibility changes the exposure.
Builders and multi-trade firms
Contract works, subcontractors, site controls and wider project values often drive the placement.
Electrical and plumbing trades
Testing, hot work, escape of water and post-completion allegations require accurate activity detail.
Finishing and maintenance trades
Customer premises, tools, products and varied light works still need a precise description.
Higher-risk specialists
Roofing, scaffolding, groundwork, tree work and structural activity commonly need dedicated underwriting.
Do not use a broad trade label to cover specialist work.
Declare height and depth limits, hot work, structural alteration, hazardous locations, subcontractors and any design responsibility. An inaccurate description can affect eligibility and claims.
Prepare for underwriting
Information that shapes tradesman insurance terms
Insurers assess the actual work and labour structure, not just turnover or the business name.
- Full trade description and turnover split by activity.
- Maximum height, depth and contract value.
- Employees and labour-only or bona fide subcontractors.
- Tools, plant and contract works values.
- Work locations, hazardous activities and customer types.
- Claims history, qualifications and required liability limits.
Check the detail
Common gaps to check before buying
Low price does not correct a mismatch between the declared trade and the work being performed.
Undeclared activities
Work outside the stated trade, height, depth or location may be excluded or outside appetite.
Defective work
The cost of correcting your own faulty work is commonly excluded even where resulting damage may be considered.
Tool theft conditions
Vehicle, overnight, storage and evidence-of-forced-entry conditions can materially restrict theft cover.
Contractual liability
Indemnities, collateral warranties and contract terms can extend liability beyond ordinary cover.
Common questions
Tradesman Insurance for UK Contractors FAQs
What can tradesman insurance cover?
It can combine public liability, employers’ liability, tools, plant, contract works and selected professional or legal covers, depending on the trade and policy.
Is public liability insurance compulsory for tradespeople?
It is not generally required by law, but clients, principal contractors or site operators may require it. Employers’ liability is normally required where staff are employed, subject to limited exemptions.
Are tools covered in a van overnight?
Only where the policy expressly provides cover and its vehicle, security, location and evidence conditions are met. Limits and excesses vary.
Are subcontractors covered?
The answer depends on whether they are labour-only or bona fide subcontractors, the policy wording and the declared arrangements. Their own insurance should also be checked.
Does tradesman insurance cover faulty workmanship?
The cost of redoing defective work is commonly excluded. Some policies may consider resulting third-party damage, subject to the cause, wording and exclusions.
What affects tradesman insurance cost?
Pricing can depend on the trade, turnover, wages, subcontractors, contract values, height or depth, locations, tools and plant values, claims history, limits and excesses.
Compare trades and contractor insurance quotes
Tell us the exact work you perform, who works with you, the contract sizes and the tools or plant at risk. We can help present the trade accurately.