Written by Michael Foote, Insurance Expert
The Right Cover Starts With Public Liability
Electricians work in homes, shops, offices, warehouses and construction sites. Whether you’re wiring a kitchen or fitting a commercial distribution board, the risk of something going wrong is always present. Public liability insurance is the backbone of any electrician’s insurance policy. It protects you if your work causes injury to a customer or damage to property. Electrical faults can lead to fire, shock or short circuits, so this type of cover is essential even for small one-off jobs.
Do You Work Alone or Manage a Team?
If you employ others, even casually or part time, you are legally required to have employers’ liability insurance. Many electricians work with apprentices or subcontractors, which means the risk is shared across a team. A policy that includes this type of cover protects both you and your workers if someone is injured while carrying out work under your direction. If you work alone, you might also want to consider personal accident cover to protect your own income if you’re unable to work due to injury.
Equipment and Tools Matter
Your tools are vital to your trade. From basic testers to expensive drills and specialist meters, losing them can stop your business in its tracks. Tool cover can be added to most policies and usually protects against theft or damage, whether on site, in a van or at home. Always check if overnight storage in a van is covered, as some policies exclude this unless specific conditions are met. Keeping receipts and a tool inventory helps speed up the claims process.
Transport Considerations for Electricians
If you drive from site to site, you already know how important a reliable vehicle is. For sole traders, a van insurance policy might be enough. But if you operate a small team and provide work vans to multiple employees, it’s worth considering fleet insurance. A single policy covering all your vehicles makes admin simpler and can be more cost effective, especially if you expect to grow. Even small electrical firms with just two or three vans can benefit from a fleet setup.
Work Type and Risk Profile
Not every electrician works on the same types of job. If you specialise in domestic rewires, your risk is different from someone installing lighting rigs in factories. Some policies will exclude high-risk work unless disclosed, such as working at height or in hazardous environments. If you do panel work, industrial installs or night shifts on commercial sites, make sure this is factored in when comparing quotes. Under-declaring your work can result in rejected claims later on.
Tailoring Your Policy Properly
Many electricians make the mistake of buying the cheapest policy without checking the exclusions or limitations. It’s important to choose an insurer or broker that understands electrical work and can offer advice based on your setup. Our tradesmen insurance partners allow you to compare cover that’s suited to your trade, including optional extras like tools, employers’ liability and fleet insurance if needed.