Electrician insurance from UK specialists

Who needs electrician insurance?

All trades come with hazards but working with electricity can mean you’re exposed to even greater risk which is why it’s crucial to have the right kind of cover. Yet with so many options on offer it can be tricky to know exactly what you need. To help you make an informed decision, here’s our handy guide to electricians insurance.

Why do I need electrician insurance?

Electrician insurance covers you for the day to day risks you face at work and helps cover costs that could otherwise damage your business. For example, policies can compensate you for damaged tools and even pay for legal expenses if you need to defend yourself in court. Without adequate insurance, you’d have to cover these costs yourself.

What does electrical contractors insurance cover?

Policies are a combination of different types of insurance giving you liability cover for a range of incidents (known as insured events) including:

• Fire
• Flood
• Vandalism and theft.

Bear in mind that specific features do vary by insurer which means it’s vital to check the policy wording so that you know exactly what is and isn’t covered to avoid disappointment.

Like other types of business or tradesman insurance, cover typically includes one or more of these features:

• Electrician public liability insurance – pays legal fees and compensation if a member of the public sues you for injury or damage to their property.
• Employers’ liability insurance – this is a legal requirement if you have any employees (even part time or temporary workers). It covers compensation claims if an employee is injured or becomes ill because of work.
• Tools and equipment insurance – compensates you for damaged or stolen tools or equipment.
• Legal expenses – pays legal fees and court costs if you need to settle a dispute.
• Contract works insurance – compensates you for any unfinished work you have to re-do because it’s been damaged. For instance, if a fire destroyed an incomplete installation.

What level of cover do I need?

Levels of cover differ by insurer so it’s always a good idea to make sure you’re aware of any limits in place – for example tools cover could be limited to £10,000 per employee.

Some types of cover – such as public liability insurance for electricians, is offered on a sliding scale usually from £1 million up to as much as £10 million. If this is the case, then it’s up to you to assess what’s best for your needs – the larger or more complicated your projects, the more likely you are to need higher levels of cover. As a guide, contractors working for local authorities are expected to have a minimum of £5 million in public liability.

If you need employers’ liability, then by law you’ll need a minimum of £5 million. If you don’t have a policy in place, you could be fined £2,500 each day you go without cover.

Do I need indemnity insurance for electrical work?

Professional indemnity insurance covers legal costs and compensation if a client loses money because of bad advice you’ve provided. It’s a common type of insurance for anyone offering professional advice – like financial advisors, architects or lawyers but it can apply to anyone who offers guidance or provides instructions related to their work.

So, if you’re an electrician and are responsible for designing electrical layouts and installations either in homes or commercial property, then professional indemnity insurance is definitely worth thinking about.

How much does electrician insurance cost?

Cost depends on the policy, the levels of cover you choose and whether or not you add on extra features (which can push up your premium).

Cheap electricians insurance might look like a great deal but if policies don’t give you the cover you need and you have to add features on, they could end up a lot more expensive than you bargained for.
Ultimately, while price will always play an important part in your choice, it shouldn’t be the only consideration.

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