What insurance do you need as a carpenter?

Four covers do the work: public liability for injury to a customer or damage to their property, employers liability which the law requires once you take on a labourer, apprentice or labour-only subcontractor, tools cover because theft from the van is the most common carpentry claim, and contract works cover if you fit as well as make. Personal accident and van insurance complete the set.

What insurance does a self-employed carpenter need?

The same public liability and tools cover as any carpenter, minus employers liability while you genuinely work alone. A mate on a casual basis, a labour-only subcontractor or a family member helping on site counts as an employee, so the cover becomes compulsory the day they turn up. A self-employed carpenter is the same legal person as the business, so an uninsured claim is paid from personal assets.

How much public liability should a carpenter have?

2 million pounds is the working minimum for domestic and light commercial carpentry. Move to 5 million if you work for main contractors, housing associations, schools or local authorities, whose subcontract terms name that figure. 10 million is only asked for on larger commercial and public-sector contracts. Ask for both figures at quotation.

How much does carpenter insurance cost?

There is no standard figure. Insurers rate carpenters on the limit of indemnity, turnover and wageroll, the split between workshop joinery and site fitting, the type of sites, the value of tools and where the van is kept, the number of employees and subcontractors, the claims record and the excess.

Do joiners need insurance?

Yes, on the same wordings as carpenters. A bench joiner in a workshop is rated on the premises, machinery, timber stock and fire risk, with contents and business interruption mattering as much as liability; a site joiner is rated like a carpenter on liability, tools and the type of site. A firm that manufactures and installs needs both halves on one policy with products liability.

Carpenters Insurance UK: A Complete Guide

Carpenters insurance covers the specific risks faced by carpentry and joinery contractors, including public liability, tools cover, and employers liability.

Cover is subject to underwriting, insurer terms and acceptance. Policy limits and exclusions apply.