Tradesman Public Liability Insurance Compared

Simply Business is not an insurer itself but a comparison platform that gets you quotes from a panel including Hiscox, AXA, Covea, Churchill, and Zurich. You compare multiple quotes in about 7 minutes without filling in separate forms for each provider. For most sole trader tradesmen, they consistently returned the lowest prices in our research.

Over 250,000 tradespeople are insured through Simply Business, covering 1,500+ different trades. You build your policy to include just public liability, or add employers liability, tools cover, personal accident, contract works, and legal expenses. Their UK-based claims team is rated 9/10 on Feefo, and you only pay for the covers you add.

Hiscox is a direct insurer with a dedicated construction and tradesman insurance product. Their cover is more comprehensive than most, with public and product liability included as standard and the option to add professional indemnity, which many providers do not offer for trade businesses. They are particularly strong for tradesmen who also do design or advisory work.

Hiscox tends to cost slightly more than the cheapest options, but you get a higher quality of cover. Their policy wording is clearer than most and their claims process is well-regarded in the industry. Best suited to tradesmen who want a single comprehensive policy from a reputable direct insurer rather than going through a broker.

AXA is one of the largest business insurers in the UK and their tradesman insurance is a solid, well-rounded option. They stand out because employers liability is included as standard on their tradesman policy, whereas most other providers charge extra for it. If you have employees or use subcontractors, this saves you money from day one.

Their cover is tailored for a wide range of trades including electricians, builders, joiners, decorators, plumbers, and plasterers. You can add tools cover, contract works, own plant, hired plant, and personal accident as extras.

Tradesman Saver is a specialist trade insurance provider operating since 1984 through its parent company. Public liability, products liability, financial loss cover, legal expenses, and accidental death cover are all included as standard. Their pricing is consistently among the cheapest we found, with a Trustpilot rating of 4.7 from over 1,200 reviews and a flat 10 pound admin fee.

The trade-off is that Tradesman Saver is a smaller operation. Standard PL cover tops out at 5 million (10 million available on request), and some long-standing customers have reported renewal price increases that required a phone call to negotiate down. If you want the cheapest possible cover and are comfortable with a smaller provider, they are hard to beat on price.

Direct Line for Business is one of the largest business insurers in the UK, with over 500,000 policies in force. Their tradesman insurance is fully modular with PL from 1 million to 10 million, strong tools and equipment cover including 24-hour insurance that covers overnight theft from your van, and contract works protection up to 1 million per contract. EU-wide cover is included as standard for UK residents.

They also offer no admin fees for mid-term policy changes and 0% APR monthly payments in your first year, which is useful for cash flow. The downside is price — Direct Line consistently quotes higher than broker platforms like Simply Business for equivalent cover, and phone support is limited with no availability after 6pm on weekdays or on Sundays.

Rhino Trade Insurance is a Leicester-based broker with the cheapest entry point we found: public liability from just 35 pounds per year. They won the Insurance Times Specialist Broker Award in 2022 and have over 3,500 five-star reviews. Their quote process shows an indicative price in about 30 seconds before you submit any personal details, and their UK-based team is available six days a week including Saturdays.

The concerns are around claims and transparency. Some customers have reported unexpected depreciation clauses on tool theft payouts and unclear policy wording around height exclusions. Maximum PL cover is 5 million, which may not be enough for larger commercial sites. If you need the absolute cheapest cover and are comfortable reading the fine print, Rhino offers genuine value — but check the exclusions before you buy.

Aviva is one of the UK's largest insurers and their self-employed business insurance covers contractors, freelancers, and sole traders. Where they stand out is depth of optional cover: tools and equipment up to 30,000 pounds (significantly higher than most competitors), professional indemnity up to 2 million, plus business vehicles, buildings and contents, and income protection all available under one policy.

The trade-off is price. Aviva is more expensive than specialist trade providers, and their online quote process is geared toward a broader market rather than being trade-specific. PL cover also caps at 5 million. Best suited to established tradesmen with higher-value tools, employees, and more complex cover needs who want everything under one roof with a major insurer.