What happens if I take on work I haven't declared to my insurer?

Your policy is priced and underwritten around the activities, height limits, excavation depths or site types you declared when you took it out. If you take on undeclared work — a different trade, a commercial site, greater height or depth, or a hazardous location — a claim linked to that activity can be reduced or refused.

Do I need a specific qualification or registration for my insurance to be valid?

For some trades, yes. Gas work without Gas Safe registration is illegal, and a claim linked to unregistered gas work is very unlikely to be paid. Tree surgery and similar trades rely on NPTC or LANTRA certification to demonstrate competence, and insurers may ask about this when assessing a claim.

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Why It Matters

Why Tradespeople Need Specialist Cover

Generic business insurance is rarely built around how trades actually work on site. Across plumbing, electrical, roofing and every trade in between, a handful of risks come up again and again.

Public liability isn't a legal requirement, but most clients, councils and main contractors won't let you start work without proof of it — commonly £1 million to £5 million, with public-sector and commercial sites often asking for £5 million or more
Employers' liability is a legal requirement the moment you take on staff — but it also applies to "labour-only" subcontractors who work under your direction using your tools, even if they invoice you as self-employed; only genuinely independent "bona fide" subcontractors with their own tools and insurance fall outside this
Tools cover for theft from a van overnight usually comes with security conditions attached — most insurers require a Thatcham-approved deadlock or slam lock, and a claim can be refused if that condition wasn't met, regardless of how the break-in happened
If you take on a job outside what you originally declared to your insurer — a different trade, a commercial site, work at a different height, or excavation beyond a declared depth — a claim linked to that work can be reduced or refused even if your policy looks like it should cover you
Several trades involve work that's illegal without the right registration or certification — gas work without Gas Safe registration, for example — and a claim linked to unregistered or uncertified work is very unlikely to be paid regardless of your liability cover
Disputes over workmanship, late payment or project delays are common enough that legal expenses cover is worth having alongside the core liability policies, since resolving a dispute can cost thousands even when you're not at fault

💡 The pattern across every trade: Public liability covers third-party injury or property damage, employers' liability is a legal requirement once you direct anyone's work (including labour-only subcontractors), and tools cover protects your kit subject to security conditions. The right declared scope, height limits and registration requirements depend on your specific trade. Select your trade below for cover built around your real risks.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to some of the most common questions about insurance for UK tradespeople and contractors.

It's not a legal requirement, but in practice most clients, local authorities and main contractors won't let you start work without proof of it. Domestic jobs often ask for a minimum of £1 million; commercial and public-sector contracts commonly require £5 million or more. Check the contract or tender terms before you quote, since the required limit can vary significantly by job.

Yes, the moment you take on anyone — including apprentices, casual staff, or "labour-only" subcontractors who work under your direction using your tools. The legal minimum is £5 million of cover, and the fine for not having it when required can run to £2,500 per day. Genuinely independent "bona fide" subcontractors who use their own tools and work unsupervised are the main exception, since they're expected to carry their own insurance.

Usually only if you meet your insurer's security conditions — most require a Thatcham-approved deadlock or slam lock, with the van fully locked and tools out of sight. If those conditions aren't met, a theft claim can be declined regardless of how the break-in happened. It's worth checking your policy wording, since "tools cover" doesn't automatically mean unconditional overnight cover.

It depends on the relationship, not what's on their invoice. Labour-only subcontractors — who work under your supervision using your tools and materials — are treated as employees for insurance purposes and need to be covered by your employers' liability policy. Bona fide subcontractors, who work independently with their own tools and are paid a fixed price for a defined task, should carry their own public liability insurance, and it's worth asking for proof before they start.

Your policy is priced and underwritten around the activities, height limits, excavation depths or site types you declared when you took it out. If you take on a different trade, a commercial site, or work that goes beyond what's declared — taller buildings, deeper excavations, hazardous locations like airports or railways — a claim linked to that undeclared activity can be reduced or refused. Tell your insurer before you start the work, not after something goes wrong.

For some trades, yes. Gas work without Gas Safe registration is illegal, and a claim linked to unregistered gas work is very unlikely to be paid. Tree surgery and similar height-and-chainsaw trades rely on NPTC or LANTRA certification to demonstrate competence. Even where registration isn't a strict legal requirement, insurers may ask about training and qualifications when assessing a claim, so it's worth keeping records current and declaring them when you take out cover.

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