Tradesman Insurance (also known as Per Capita Liability Insurance) offers liability insurance for self employed, sole trader and Limited companies at extremely competitive rates and for a wide range of occupations.

Per Capita Liability is specifically designed for the smaller UK contractor who can qualify for a per-capita contract - in this case, for companies employing no more than 8 manual workers at any one time . We are able to offer cover on a wide range of occupations, from Accountants to Aromatherapists to Chimney Sweeps and Shoe Repairers and almost everything in between. We are able to provide employers liability (if necessary) with the option of including cover for employee tools, contractors all risks (Hired In and Own Plant as well as Contract Works) and we include compulsory Personal Accident cover as part of each Select Per Capita policy.

Key Features

This type of insurance covers traditional tradesmen like plumbers as well newer types of home workers, like consultants, from the common types of risks they may face. If you have employees Employer's Liability cover is required under law.

Tradesman Insurance usually consists of two key parts:

• Public Liability
• Employer's Liability

There are additional other "bolt on's" for specific requirements like "tools" cover, or "personal accident cover" which are usually sold separately.

Who is it for?

• Handymen, plumbers, electricians
• Hairdressers and Beauticians
• Consultants working from home
• Home based journalists, accountants
• Many types of business run from home

CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF ACCEPTABLE TRADES

Benefits

• Public Liability - covers you for your dealings with the public or those you trade with
• Immediate Documents - we provide your documentation within seconds of buying
• Bespoke Bolt on's - tools, personal accident cover can also be added to your policies
• Peace of mind - your business is covered, leaving you to get on with running it!

Things to watch out for

• Limit of Indemnity - Some insurers will quote you a public liability cover from £1m to £5m. You may only need £1m of cover. However if you do need £5m of public liability cover, make sure you get the right quote.
• Optional covers - Some insurers have optional covers (like 'tools') already included in the policy. Others insurers will charge you an additional amount. When comparing quotes make sure you are comparing the same extent of cover.
• Excess - Losing £1000 worth of tools is one of the most common claims, however your excess may be £500. You might have to pay this to make a claim, which will mean you might only receive £500 back from a particular insurer. Know the amount of your excess.
• Working outside EU - Some insurers won't cover you if you do any of your work outside the European Union, others will only give you insurance if you stay within mainland UK . Ensure you know the geographical extent of your cover.
• Working at height - Most trade insurers want to know if you work higher than 10m. For example, if you are working on a 25th floor, some insurers will want to know if you are working 10m higher than the 25th floor. Ensure you fully understand the questions you are being asked.
• Multiple jobs - Many tradesmen have multiple jobs, e.g. plumber, handyman, electrician etc. Make sure you tell your insurer all of your roles. For example a commercial builder is not the same as a developer, and they receive different types of cover, with differing premium levels, getting it wrong could invalidate your cover.
• Exclusions - Read your policy documents and any exclusion that may apply. Specific activities are excluded by the insurer for a reason.
• More employees - If you take on more employees in the middle of your insurance year you need to adjust your cover. Many insurers call this a "mid-term adjustment" and is an easy process to go through.

What are the next steps?

• Know your business - You already know what you do, so make sure you inform the insurer about all aspects of your business and for example how many employees you may will hire this year.
• Start date - Insurance prices change frequently, evaluate your desired start date, you may wish to have the insurance start at the beginning of a particular project.

Frequently asked questions

Am I covered for this activity?
As long as you fully info rm your insurer of the types of activity you undertake, then the policies are structured to cover behavior that is consistent with a particular trade.

What happens if my tools are stolen?
Some insurers cover this as standard, others as an optional extra. Check your cover.

Do I need Employer's Liability?
If you have employees, the answer is usually yes. If you are a single person company, the answer is usually no.

Am I covered for sub-contractors work?
This depends as different insurers provide different types of cover.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF ACCEPTABLE TRADES

The easy way to arrange your insurance with us:

FREEPHONE 0800 980 1795