Tradesman professions that Hiscox covers
Carpenters
Carpenters chisel bespoke creations for clients, providing a practical and professional service. When working at close quarters with clients, mistakes, accidents and broken equipment are all potential problems a carpenter could face. A tailored insurance policy can protect against many of the profession’s risks, ensuring you can focus on the task at hand.
Gardeners and landscapers
Achieving manicured lawns and perfectly curated flower beds requires expert skill and the best equipment. Self-employed landscape gardeners can rely on both things, plus tailored tradesman insurance including public liability, equipment and personal accident covers to bolster their business and maintain tidy borders.
Plumbers
Independent tradesmen often build their business on reputation. For a plumber, installing, maintaining and repairing water systems all make a good impression. But trade can grind to a halt if there’s a legal issue. Insurance can help to pay for the legal fees of claims as well as covering tool repair or replacement so you can keep the work flowing.
Design and construction
Whether you head up a design and construction business or are a self-employed tradesman, insurance can protect you against unforeseen risks. It’s skilled work, so potential injuries may be a concern. Client disagreements, equipment issues and data protection threats can also arise – tailored cover can mitigate the impact of these worries.
Electricians
Sparking business success could get a helping hand with the reassurance of a policy tailored for electrical traders. You can get insurance for employee risks, tools and client disagreements. When you work in people’s homes and places of work, this safety net may be welcome.
Handymen
Whether you’re painting, fitting cupboards or measuring up to hang shelves and artwork, mistakes, misunderstandings and mishaps can occur. If you’re thinking of turning your skills into a business, self-employed tradesman insurance can help to protect your venture so you can concentrate on doing a thorough job.
Locksmiths
Safety and security are key to the role of a locksmith. But accidents involving employees or customers could result in injuries, bringing about claims. Or your hand could slip while using your hook pick, for example, which could damage a client’s wall or doorframe. Insurance can bolster your business so you can maintain focus.
Painters and decorators
Transforming spaces is your passion and you pride yourself on providing a professional service. Of course, you may encounter unhappy customers, accidents, mistakes and even issues with tools. When you’re a tradesman in your field, insurance can help back you up.
Plasterers
Being a plasterer is both physical and skilled work, but what happens when tools are damaged or you make a rare mistake? Insurance can help to smooth out problems facing a plasterer in court or by repairing or replacing tools.
Gas engineers
Running your own business as a gas engineer involves many moving parts – you’ll likely have clients, employees and tools to consider. Tradesman insurance for your work can protect you against unforeseen accidents and injuries to your customers and staff, cyber risks and claims you’ve made a mistake.
Pest control
Generally, you’re prepared for most eventualities as a pest controller. But, as you tackle insect infestations and worse, you can’t guard against all unforeseen circumstances. Say your client’s neighbour is injured by a rat trap. Business insurance including public liability cover can offer protection when things don’t go to plan.
Upholsterers
As an upholsterer you often help to repair furniture after an accident. Get similar support for your own recovery if things go awry with your business. Public liability insurance for example can help should you cause damage to a client's property through your work.
Key types of insurance for tradesman businesses
Not all types of insurance for tradesman businesses are available for every profession – discover what you need by generating online quotes or speaking to our expert team.
Professional indemnity insurance
When you offer a professional service as a tradesman, mistakes and negligence can be costly, so insurance may be worth considering. Whether a client says you made a costly mistake rewiring their home, or that you missed the brief on a bespoke bookshelf, PI cover can help.
Public liability insurance
The nature of your business means you’ll interact with customers in your work. But this can bring risk of accidents. Whether you’re a self-employed tradesman or run your own company, public liability insurance steps in if someone says they’ve been injured or their property has been damaged due to your work.
Tools insurance
Equipment may be central to your work. Therefore, tradesman tool insurance could be important if you need to repair or replace lost, damaged or stolen kit – whether you’re a handyman or gas engineer. Additional equipment cover may also be helpful, such as contents insurance and breakdown cover for electrical or mechanical failure.
Employers' liability insurance
Working in a physical profession such as yours might create occupational hazards. When you employ staff, employers’ liability cover is often required by law (external link). It helps to pay for the defence and settlement of legal claims by current or former employees if they say their work for you has caused them illness or injury.
Cyber and data insurance
Communicating with customers and contractors usually happens digitally – your services may even be bookable online. What would happen if you fell victim to a cyber-attack or data breach that compromised sensitive information? Cyber insurance for tradesman businesses can compensate for loss of income and help your firm recover.
Legal protection insurance
Contracts are often involved with trade work. But legal documents can come with the risk of employment disputes, disagreements and the need for debt recovery. When you need to defend your business in these situations, expenses can quickly build – legal protection insurance can help cover your tradesman business so you can keep working.
If you’re not sure what you need, tell us a little more about your business. We’ll help you to build your quote and explore any other insurance needs.
Build my coverRelated articles and guides
What is public liability insurance?
Insurance can be helpful for a tradesman – learn more about what public liability cover is with our FAQ guide and discover how it can assist.
What business insurance does a sole trader need?
Do you run your trade independently? When responsibility stops with you, cover could be important – learn what insurance a sole trader may need.
What’s the difference between employers’ liability and public liability cover?
Although both types of liability cover, the difference between public and employers’ liability insurance centres on who makes the claim – discover more.
How to start an electrical business
Insurance is a key consideration for setting up as a tradesman – find out what’s involved and learn how to start an electrical business with our article.
How to become a handyman
The Hiscox experts talk through eight key steps to becoming a handyman – from important tool options to licences and tradesman insurance.
What to consider when starting a plumbing business
Thinking of setting up on your own? Take a read thought this article to discover what you need to consider when starting a plumbing business.