What Insurance Should a Builder Have?
The policies that protect you if something goes wrong, and how to check they are real.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Key takeaways
- ›Public Liability insurance is the essential one for any home project.
- ›Employer Liability insurance is legally required if they employ anyone.
- ›Always ask to see a live certificate, not just a verbal claim.
Public Liability insurance
Public Liability covers damage or injury to third parties caused by the tradesperson's work — for example, if a falling tile damages a neighbour's car, or a burst pipe floods the property below. For most home projects, ask for at least £2 million of cover; for larger works, £5 million is sensible.
This is the policy that protects you, so it is the one you should insist on.
Employer Liability insurance
If the tradesperson employs anyone — including casual labour — they are legally required to hold Employer Liability insurance of at least £5 million. If an injury happens on your property and they have no cover, you could be drawn into a claim. Ask to see the certificate.
Other covers and how to verify
For specialist work there may be additional covers: professional indemnity for design work, contract works (sometimes called "all risks") for larger projects, and product liability. Ask for a copy of the certificate and check the policy is in date and names the business. A quick phone call to the insurer can confirm a certificate is genuine.
- •Ask for a PDF or photo of the certificate, not just a verbal assurance.
- •Check the policy expiry date is after your job finishes.
- •Confirm the business name on the certificate matches who you are hiring.
Frequently asked
What if they are a sole trader with no employees?
They still need Public Liability. Employer Liability is only legally required if they employ people, but many sole traders hold it anyway.
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