Why do carpenters need insurance?
Poor flooring advice
You complete an installation of an oak Herringbone floor for the premises of a local business. After the installation they get in touch to ask for advice about aftercare for the floor. A junior employee recommends cleaning equipment and products – but this was incorrect advice and using them damages the floor. The customer brings a claim against you for the costs they had to pay to fix the floor.
A professional indemnity policy is designed to help protect you from the costs of claims of negligence, including the legal costs and compensation you may have to pay.
Damage to pipes
While fitting wooden shelves in a client’s airing cupboard, you slip and accidentally burst a water pipe. This causes water damage to their home, damaging carpets and wallpaper in the surrounding area. If they seek damages, the right business insurance can help.
For carpenters who accidentally cause injury or property damage, public liability insurance can help to cover the cost of compensation and legal fees, helping you to stay on track.
Broken tools
From coping saws to mitre saws, you can’t work without the tools of your trade. If a saw is accidentally dropped, cracked or dented, it can cause real problems. Alongside having to fork out for repairs or replacements, you’re left dealing with disgruntled clients while things come to a halt.
Our property away and in transit insurance, also known as tool insurance, could help. This protects your valued tools against damage, loss and theft so you can get back to work as quickly as possible.
Key types of insurance for carpenters
Public liability insurance
Whether you’re working on a major public building or carrying out repairs in a client’s home, public liability insurance can provide cover for carpenters and joiners if someone claims they were injured or that their property was damaged as a result of your work.
Say a passer-by trips on your ladder in the street, or you spill carpentry glue on your client’s carpet. Public liability insurance can help to cover compensation and legal costs.
Professional indemnity insurance
As a carpenter you develop a deep knowledge and understanding of your craft. If you use this knowledge to provide specialist advice to customers, and the advice causes them financial loss, they may bring a claim against you for those losses.
A professional indemnity policy can help protect you from the costs of claims of negligence, including the legal costs and compensation you may have to pay.
Tool insurance
Success in the carpentry trade depends on your own skills and experience, but you need to be able to count on your tools and equipment while you're on the job too. Tool insurance, also known as property away and in transit insurance, covers your equipment against damage, loss and theft while away from your usual workplace. It's a key consideration if you're using expensive, specialist equipment in various locations for your job.
So, if someone steals your square or makes off with your measuring tools, you’re covered. If you rely on your phone or laptop for booking work, you might also add portable equipment insurance.
As a carpenter or joiner, you might also add insurance types such as employers’ liability, which is often a legal requirement (external link) if you have staff. Cyber insurance, portable equipment insurance and legal protection insurance could also prove useful.
Very good and reassuring to know you have the right cover for the right price.
Not sure what you need? These are just some of the types of business insurance for carpenters and joiners we can offer. Tell us more about your business to build a tailored policy.
Get your quoteInsurance for carpenters: FAQs
How much does insurance for carpenters cost?
When it comes to insurance for carpenters, the price you’ll pay depends on the covers you take out. For example, at Hiscox, professional indemnity insurance starts at £8.00*. But you may tailor that with other covers, such as public liability.
*Figures based on an average of all professional indemnity policies sold to at least 10% of our customer base between February 2024 and February 2025
Can I get insurance for non-carpentry work?
Yes, Hiscox business insurance policies can be tailored for many trades. For example, you can tailor your policy to suit your fencing, handyman, or interior design business.
When building your cover, just remember to make us aware about all aspects of your business, so we can make sure you’re getting the right policy to suit you. Also, keep in mind that not all insurance products will be available for all trades. Please contact us to chat with one of our experts.
Does public liability cover mistakes made by my employees?
Public liability insurance can cover mistakes made by your employees, as long as they’re directly employed by you or your business. For example, this wouldn’t cover mistakes made by hired freelancers or contractors. However, public liability insurance could offer reassurance should one of your apprentices make an error.
What happens if I don’t have employers’ liability insurance?
If you are legally required to have employers’ liability insurance, for every day you don’t have it in place, you can be fined up to £2,500 by the government (external link). You may also be fined £1,000 if your employers’ liability certificate is not accessible or on display.
By law, most businesses and sole traders who employ others need employers’ liability insurance in place. There are some exceptions – for example, some family businesses – but it’s down to you to check whether this applies to you.
Related articles and guides
How to register for VAT
We guide you through how to register for VAT so you can get your paperwork sorted and focus on your small business.
Facebook marketing for your small business
Master Facebook marketing for your small business to harness the power of social media, and advertise your brand to a much wider audience.
How to prevent tool theft
Learn more about how to prevent tool theft and keep your valuable equipment safe – so you can keep working without any setbacks.