Do tradespeople need public liability insurance?

As a tradesperson you’ll know that no two jobs are the same – whether fitting a kitchen, plumbing a bathroom or laying foundations. One thing that normally stays consistent is the risks you face. But do tradesmen need public liability insurance?  

It’s a question that comes up a lot. From electricians and plumbers to groundworkers and bricklayers, it’s easy to think “I’m careful, I probably don’t need it”. But the truth is, accidents happen – and when they do, they can be expensive. 

We’re here to break down what public liability insurance covers, why it’s important for tradesmen, and how to make sure you’ve got the right protection in place. No jargon, no scare tactics – just clear, practical advice to help you stay covered and confident on the job. 

*Disclaimer – this a general guide to insurance cover types and exact coverage, conditions and exclusions may differ per policy and insurance provider. 

What is public liability insurance for tradesmen? 

Also referred to as PL insurance, public liability insurance covers you if a third-party suffers injury or property damage as a result of your work. 

It can cover things like: 

• Bodily injury or property damage to a third party (excludes employees) 

• Compensation payments 

• Repair costs 

• Professional fees (including legal) 

• Medical fees 

In context, it can cover accidents like drilling into a water pipe when fitting a kitchen, a power tool cable trips over a client or knocking a heavy tool off a ladder that damages a homeowner’s flooring. 

*Note: Public liability will cover the resulting damage, not any faulty workmanship or professional negligence that causes it (this will typically be covered by other policies like professional indemnity). However, always check your policy wording for conditions that may exclude specific circumstances.  

Do tradesmen really need public liability insurance? 

Of course, public liability insurance isn’t a necessity that everyone “needs”, but it’s highly recommended to consider covering against the risks you face in your profession. You will also find many Trades Insurance packages include it as standard (not optional). 

It can offer many benefits, satisfy contractual obligations and mitigate risks – so you may decide that for your own circumstances it’s ‘needed’. 

Benefits of public liability for trades 

How you personally benefit from public liability will be dependent on your trade and circumstances. In general, it offers: 

Cover for when things go wrong 

Accidents happen, but paying to fix them can hit your wallet hard. Having insurance means you’re not footing the bill alone – it’s there to help ease the pressure. 

Less stress, more sleep 

Knowing you’ve got cover in place means one less thing to worry about. If something unexpected happens, you’ve got financial support. 

Help when you need it most 

Sorting out claims and costs can be a headache. Insurance gives you support to deal with incidents faster, so you can get back to doing what you do best. 

Build trust with clients 

Having insurance shows you’re serious about your work. It can give clients confidence in hiring you – and in some cases, it’s a must-have for landing certain contracts. 

Public liability as a requirement 

Public liability isn’t a legal requirement, but some trades contracts may include a clause that states it as a contractual requirement – especially when working with public bodies, main contractors, or trade associations. 

Many clients may include this for their own peace of mind that you’re in a position to compensate them in the event of any incidents. 

It can also be a requirement for trades associations and bodies like BESA, the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors and the Electrical Contractors’ Association. 

Risks of not having public liability cover 

The risks of not having public liability insurance cover might seem worth it to save a few £££s. It’ll be dependent on your own business size and way of working, but not having public liability cover could bring its own risks to the table like: 

• Financial burdens – a single public liability claim could cost thousands of pounds. This could be a big bill to face without the financial backup of insurance. 

• Reputational damage – e.g. a client has a bad experience with a trades business and after trying to make a claim, they find out the business isn’t insured. The client may spread the word and put potential future customers off. 

• Limited contract offers – you may be limited in the contracts you’re offered if clients require you to hold PL insurance before you can work for them. 

What trades need public liability? 

Most tradespeople can benefit from public liability insurance. But as we’ve mentioned, the level of risk and the reasons you might need it can vary depending on the type of work you do. 

Whether you’re working in someone’s home, on a building site, or in a commercial space, having the right cover can protect you from unexpected costs and give your clients peace of mind. A few public liability claim examples: 

Electricians 

An electrician installs wiring in a client’s house. Mid-way through the job, a loose connection causes a short circuit, damaging the fuse box and some appliances. 

In this case the damage caused would be covered (not costs relating to claims of faulty workmanship). 

Plumbers 

While replacing a bathroom tap, a washer gets misaligned. Overnight, water leaks through the floor and damages the ceiling below. 

Public liability insurance could cover the cost to repair the damage (doesn’t cover claims against faulty workmanship). 

Carpenters 

A contractor fits custom shelving in a client’s living room. Their drill slips causing cracks in the plaster over a large area. The client claims damages to repair the plasterwork. 

With tradesmen insurance that includes public liability, you could be covered for accidental damage like this. 

Bricklayers 

While working on a garden wall, a bricklayer accidentally knocks over equipment that damages the homeowner’s garden furniture. 

Public liability could help cover the costs to repair/replace the third-party property that the bricklayer is liable for. 

Examples are for illustration only. Cover is always subject to policy terms, conditions, and exclusions. 

Choosing a public liability policy for trades 

You’re an expert in your trade, not insurance – and you don’t need to be. It might see a bit of a guessing game when choosing your insurance but there’s plenty of support out there to help you get the right cover. 

To get you started, here are a few tips: 

Your risk factors – Every trade comes with its own set of risks (i.e. working with live wires, water systems, heavy tools, or on busy sites). Think about the work you do, where you do it, and who you interact with. 

Your limit requirements – Think about how much cover you’d realistically need—some clients or contracts may require a minimum level, while higher-risk work might call for more. The right limit should reflect the potential cost of claims you could face in your trade. 

Your business size – A one-person operation has different needs than a growing team. If you’ve got staff make sure your policy takes into account the risks they bring – you’ll also need employers’ liability insurance! 

Understanding trades insurance 

Public liability is highly recommended for many businesses, including tradesmen. The good news is that it’s not “another thing” to think about necessarily. Most combined tradesman insurance policies will include public liability insurance as standard (like Kingsbridge!) or as an optional add-on. 

Put simply, tradesman insurance is designed specifically for people working in the trades – like electricians, plumbers, builders, and decorators. It typically includes public liability, tools cover, employers’ liability, and more to suit the way you work – and they’re normally flexible to the coverage you need (with limit options and optional add-ons). 

We have a full guide that breaks down what tradesman insurance can cover. 

Kingsbridge trades insurance 

At Kingsbridge, we offer our own combined Trades Insurance policy, including Public Liability, Goods & Tools cover and Employers’ Liability (where required). you can also add optional cover like Hired in Plant, Owned Plant, Contract Works, Professional Indemnity (PL is on a claims-made basis). 

Our cover also offers perks like: 

• Up to £2,500 Goods & Tools cover included as standard 

• Cover for tools stolen from a secured van overnight (where there are signs of forced entry & security conditions are met) 

• Nil or low excess available for most trades (will be noted in your policy schedule) 

• Real support from in-house dedicated experts 

• No hidden fees 

Have a question? You can contact us and speak to our in-house experts who can help you get the right policy for your trade. Or, you can go straight to getting a quote today through our online quote and buy. 

Trades public liability FAQs 

Is public liability a legal requirement for tradespeople? 

No, it’s not legally required in the UK for most tradespeople. However, many clients, contractors, and local authorities will insist on it before hiring you – especially for public-facing or high-risk jobs. 

How much public liability insurance cover do tradesmen need? 

It depends on your trade, the type of work you do, and who you work with. Kingsbridge policies start at £2 million cover, but some contracts may require £5 million, £10 million or more – especially for council or commercial jobs. 

Can I work without public liability cover? 

Technically yes, but it’s risky. Without it, you could be liable for any damage or injury caused by your work, which could lead to serious financial consequences. 

Does public liability cover damage to tools and equipment? 

It would only cover damage to third-party property. It wouldn’t cover your own tools and equipment – these can usually be covered under a separate tools insurance policy. 

Does public liability cover me if I work in someone’s home? 

Yes – this is one of the most common scenarios it’s designed for. If you accidentally damage property or someone gets injured while you’re working, you’re covered. 

What’s the difference between public liability and employers’ liability for trades? 

Public liability covers claims from third parties for injury or property damage resulting from your work. Employers’ liability is legally required if you employ staff, and it covers claims from employees who are injured or become ill due to their work while employed by you. 

Is tradesman insurance the same as public liability insurance?

Public liability is one type of insurance cover, whereas tradesman insurance is typically a package policy that often includes public liability. A tradesman policy usually includes other covers like tools insurance, employers’ liability, and sometimes professional indemnity – giving broader protection tailored to the trade.

What happens if a contractor doesn’t have public liability insurance?

Without public liability cover, a tradesmen found liable for injury or damage caused by their work could be left to pay out of pocket for compensation, repairs, or legal fees – which can run into thousands.

How do I know if I need public liability insurance?

If your work involves clients, the public, or someone else’s property it’s likely worth considering. Many clients and contractors also expect it as standard before work starts so checking your contract is a good way to know if you ‘need’ it.

Does public liability insurance cover poor workmanship?

Public liability won’t cover poor workmanship itself, but it might cover any damage that results from it. For example, if a pipe you fitted bursts and floods a room, the water damage could be covered – but not refitting the pipe itself.

Is public liability insurance worth it?

That depends on how much risk you’re exposed to. For many trades, it’s a small cost for peace of mind – especially when one claim could cost thousands.

How much does public liability insurance cost?

It depends on your trade, the level of risk, and how much cover you need. For example, someone working with high-voltage electrics or in public areas might need higher limits than someone doing domestic work. Our quotes start from competitive rates with no hidden fees.