Written by Michael Foote, Insurance Expert
What Is Professional Indemnity Insurance?
Professional indemnity (PI) insurance covers you if a client claims they’ve suffered financial loss because of your advice, design, or professional recommendations. It’s different from public liability insurance, which covers injury or property damage caused by your physical work. PI deals with the consequences of what you say or specify, not what you build or fix.
In most trades, PI isn’t required by default but there are situations where it matters, especially on bigger or more technical jobs.
When Does It Apply in Trades?
PI insurance is more relevant when:
- You provide designs, layouts or system specifications
- You consult or advise clients professionally
- Your advice is relied on to shape a build or installation
- You sign off on other people’s work
- You subcontract into larger projects where it’s a contract requirement
If you’re purely carrying out manual work based on someone else’s plans or instructions, you probably don’t need it. But the line isn’t always clear especially when jobs involve specialist installations or design input.
Author note: However, if you are in doubt, the best way to find our whether it is required in your particular circumstances is to speak to an experienced insurance broker. They can advise you for your specific situation. To do that now, submit the quote form on our site by clicking the “Get Quotes” button below.
Do Builders Need Professional Indemnity?
Most self-employed builders won’t need PI cover unless they’re also involved in the design of extensions, structural changes, or new builds. If you’re advising a client on how to construct something, or taking responsibility for technical drawings, it’s worth considering. If you’re simply following an architect’s or engineer’s plans, public liability is usually enough.
Compare tailored cover at our builders insurance page.
Do Plumbers Need Professional Indemnity?
PI can apply to plumbers who work on complex systems like underfloor heating, renewable energy integrations, or commercial heating systems. If you offer advice on system layouts, pipe routes, or pressure control that could cause financial loss if wrong, PI might be useful. Standard domestic plumbing with no advisory element typically doesn’t require it.
See your options on our plumbers insurance page.
Do Electricians Need Professional Indemnity?
Electricians involved in design, consultancy, or signing off complex installations, particularly in commercial or industrial settings, may benefit from PI. If you’re specifying layouts for lighting, power systems, or advising on load capacities and cabling choices, you may be liable if that advice leads to failure or cost. Domestic electricians and installers usually don’t need it.
More details available at our electricians insurance page.
Do Groundworkers Need Professional Indemnity?
Most groundworkers won’t need PI insurance but it depends on the type of work you do. If you’re advising clients on ground preparation, producing reports or specifications, or responsible for design input into drainage, foundations or excavation methods, then PI may be worth having. For those purely carrying out manual work based on supplied plans, public liability is usually enough.
To compare options tailored to your work, visit our groundworkers insurance page.
Do Roofers, Tree Surgeons or Painters Ever Need It?
Rarely. These trades are almost always task-based, with risk arising from physical work, not advice. That said, if you ever advise clients on how to carry out work, specify a method that causes loss, or oversee subbies as a main contractor, it’s worth considering. But in most cases, PI cover is unnecessary.
For cover that focuses on the physical risks in these trades, see:
How to Decide If It’s Right for You
If you’re not sure whether you need PI, ask yourself this:
- Do I give advice that my clients rely on to make decisions?
- Would I be liable if my guidance led to financial loss, even without physical damage?
- Is PI insurance required in the contracts I work under?
If the answer to any of those is yes, it’s worth adding it to your cover. Otherwise, you’re likely fine with just public liability and optional extras like tools or employers’ liability.
Where to Get It
Not all tradesmen insurance policies include professional indemnity, it’s often an optional add-on. You can explore your options across all trades at our tradesmen insurance hub, or submit the quote form on our site to arrange a quote or get free, no-obligation advice.