Tradesman Insurance UK
Compare quotes, understand your cover options, and find the right insurance broker for your trade — from public liability to tool cover and employers liability.
Types of Tradesman Insurance
What each policy covers and whether you need it.
Public Liability Insurance
Required by lawCovers claims from third parties (clients, members of the public) for injury or property damage caused by your work. The most essential cover for any tradesman.
Tool Insurance
Covers theft or damage to your tools and equipment — including from your van overnight. Most policies cover tools up to £5,000–£10,000.
Employers Liability Insurance
Required by lawLegally required in the UK if you employ anyone, including subcontractors. Covers injury or illness claims from employees. Minimum £5m cover by law.
Van / Vehicle Insurance
Tradesman van insurance covers your vehicle for business use, including carrying tools and materials. Standard car insurance won't cover this.
Personal Accident Cover
Pays a lump sum or weekly benefit if you're injured and unable to work. Critical for self-employed tradesmen with no sick pay.
Professional Indemnity
Covers claims arising from advice or design work — important if you quote, design, or spec jobs in addition to doing them.
Not sure how much cover you need?
Use our free tradesman insurance calculator — covers all trades including roofers, plumbers, electricians, and builders. Get a personalised estimate in 30 seconds.
Tradesman Tool Insurance
Your tools are your livelihood. Here's what to know before you buy cover.
What does tradesman tool insurance cover?
Tradesman tool insurance covers theft, loss, and accidental damage to your tools and equipment — including hand tools, power tools, and specialist kit. Most policies cover theft from a van during the day. Overnight van theft is typically covered only if the vehicle has approved security (deadlocks, alarms, Thatcham-rated devices).
How much does tradesman tool insurance cost?
Tool cover for up to £5,000 of tools typically costs £80–£150/yr added to a PLI policy. For £10,000 of tools, expect £120–£200/yr. Buying tool insurance standalone is almost always more expensive than adding it as an endorsement to your public liability policy.
What security do I need for overnight van tool cover?
Most insurers require: a factory-fitted or manufacturer-approved alarm, deadlocks or slam locks on all van doors, and sometimes a tracking device for higher-value policies. Check your policy schedule carefully — if your van doesn't meet the stated requirements, a theft claim at night can be rejected.
Are tools covered in transit?
Yes — most tradesman tool policies cover tools in transit in your van. Some also cover tools temporarily stored at a customer's property. Tools left at an unsecured site overnight are often excluded. If you regularly leave tools on site, check for a 'temporary removal' extension.
Insurance for Self-Employed Tradesmen
As a self-employed tradesman you have no employer to fall back on. A single uninsured claim for property damage or personal injury can wipe out years of savings. The key policies every self-employed tradesman should consider:
- ✓Public liability insurance — protects you if a client or third party is injured or their property is damaged because of your work.
- ✓Tool insurance — replaces stolen or damaged tools so you can keep working.
- ✓Personal accident cover — pays a weekly benefit if you're injured and can't work. You have no sick pay as a sole trader.
- ✓Employers liability — legally required the moment you take on a subcontractor, even casually.
Best Tradesman Insurance Brokers (2026)
Comparing at least 3 quotes can save you £100–£300/yr. These brokers are the most widely used for UK tradesmen.
UK's largest online business insurer. Compare quotes from multiple providers in minutes.
Specialist tradesman insurer offering tailored PLI, tool and van cover from £59/yr.
Friendly UK broker with transparent pricing. Covers sole traders and small firms.
Premium insurer with comprehensive cover and strong claims reputation.
Well-known insurer offering public liability and tools cover online.
Specialist broker for construction and trades with combined policy options.
External links open in a new tab. Sleepless Tradesman is not affiliated with these brokers.
How Much Does Tradesman Insurance Cost?
| Cover Type | Who Needs It | Typical Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Public Liability (£1m) | All tradesmen | £59–£150 |
| Public Liability (£2m) | Most contractors | £80–£200 |
| Public Liability (£5m) | Main contractor sites | £100–£300 |
| Tool Insurance (£5k limit) | All tradesmen | £80–£150 |
| Employers Liability | Anyone with employees | £120–£400 |
| Van Insurance (business) | Van owners | £600–£1,500 |
| Personal Accident | Self-employed | £100–£250 |
| Combined policy (sole trader) | PLI + tools + PA | £200–£400 |
Estimates for a sole-trader tradesman with under £100k turnover and no claims history. Actual prices vary.
How to Get Cheap Tradesman Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I legally need tradesman insurance in the UK?
Public liability insurance is not legally required, but most clients and sites will insist on it before you start work. Employers liability insurance IS legally required if you have any employees or subcontractors — minimum £5 million cover. Driving without proper van insurance is also illegal.
How much does tradesman insurance cost in the UK?
Public liability insurance for a sole-trader tradesman typically starts from £59–£150 per year depending on your trade and turnover. Adding tool cover adds around £80–£150/yr. Combined policies for a small firm with employees typically run £400–£1,200/yr. Get at least 3 quotes — prices vary significantly between brokers.
What is the best tradesman insurance broker in the UK?
Simply Business is the largest and lets you compare multiple insurers at once. Tradesman Saver specialises in trades and often offers the cheapest rates. PolicyBee is popular with sole traders. For high-value contracts, Hiscox has a strong claims reputation. The best broker depends on your trade, cover needs, and budget.
Does tradesman insurance cover tools left in a van overnight?
It depends on the policy. Many tool insurance policies exclude tools left in unattended vehicles overnight unless the van has approved security (deadlocks, slam locks, alarms). Always check the exclusions carefully — and fit a good alarm if you want overnight cover.
What is tradesman tool insurance?
Tool insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing your tools if they're stolen, lost or damaged. It typically covers hand tools, power tools, and equipment up to a set limit (often £5,000–£10,000). It's usually added to a PLI policy rather than bought standalone. Check if your van's contents are covered too.
Can I get cheap tradesman insurance without losing cover?
Yes — the key is comparing quotes. Use a broker like Simply Business to get 5+ quotes in one go. You can also reduce premiums by: increasing your excess, bundling cover types into one policy, paying annually instead of monthly, and keeping your claims history clean. Don't reduce your liability limits to cut costs — the saving isn't worth the risk.
Do I need insurance as a self-employed tradesman?
Legally, only employers liability is mandatory (if you have employees). But practically, nearly every client, main contractor, and housing association will require you to show proof of public liability insurance before starting work. Without it you'll lose jobs. It also protects your personal finances if something goes wrong.