Tradesman Insurance 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.