What insurance should a tradesperson have?

When you let a tradesperson into your home, you're trusting them not just to do good work, but to put things right if something goes wrong. Insurance is the safety net for both of you. Here's what a professional UK tradesperson should have — and how to check before you hire.

Public liability insurance (the big one)

This is the most important cover for homeowners to ask about. Public liability insurance protects you if the tradesperson accidentally injures someone or damages your property while working — for example, a burst pipe that floods your kitchen, or a tool dropped through a conservatory roof.

• Typical cover levels are £1 million, £2 million or £5 million.
• £2m is a common standard; larger projects may warrant more.
• Always ask to see the certificate, and check it's in date and in the business's name.

If a tradesperson has no public liability cover and causes damage, getting compensation can be slow, painful or impossible.

Employers' liability insurance

If the tradesperson employs anyone — including apprentices, labourers or casual staff — they are legally required to have employers' liability insurance (minimum £5 million cover). This protects their workers if they're injured on the job.

A genuine one-person sole trader with no employees won't need this, but anyone turning up with a team should have it.

Other cover worth knowing about

Depending on the trade and the size of the job, a professional may also carry:

• Professional indemnity insurance — covers bad advice or design errors. Relevant for architects, surveyors, designers and some specialist contractors.
• Tools and equipment cover — protects their own kit (their problem, not yours, but it signals a serious business).
• Contract works / "all risks" insurance — covers the work in progress (e.g. a half-built extension) against fire, theft or storm damage. Useful to ask about on bigger projects.
• Product liability — covers harm caused by materials or products they've supplied.

Trade-specific registrations (not insurance, but check anyway)

Some trades have legal or scheme requirements that sit alongside insurance:

• Gas Safe Register — mandatory for any gas work.
• Part P / registered electrician schemes (e.g. NICEIC, NAPIT) — for notifiable electrical work.
• TrustMark, FMB, NFRC and similar — voluntary but reassuring marks of a vetted business.

How to check — three simple steps

• Ask directly: "Do you have public liability insurance, and can I see the certificate?" A professional won't blink.
• Read the certificate: check the business name, the cover amount, and the expiry date.
• For gas or electrics: verify the registration number on the official register (Gas Safe Register, or the relevant electrical scheme).

If a tradesperson is cagey about insurance or "can't find" the certificate, treat it as a warning sign.

Find properly insured trades near you

Choosing a tradesperson who takes insurance seriously gives you real peace of mind. Browse local trades on GotAPal, read genuine reviews, and ask each one about their cover before you commit — it's a fair question, and good tradespeople are happy to answer it.