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Specialist public liability insurance, tools cover and more from Markel Direct.

  • Fast, easy online quote in 90 seconds

  • Levels of cover to suit you

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Get a quick quote for your trades insurance by clicking the button below.

10% off* your trades insurance, tools cover and more. Simply enter "ROADSHOW10" at checkout to receive your discount.

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Not ready to buy? Save your 10% discount. Simply enter your renewal date and complete the form below and we'll get in touch nearer the time with your discount.

 

*The 10% discount will be applied to the net policy premium before insurance premium tax is applied. All quotations provided will be subject to meeting underwriting and claims criteria acceptance. All cover will be subject to full policy terms and conditions which are available upon request.

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Cover starting at £7 a month**

Tailor your insurance with these covers

  • Public liability insurance

    Public liability insurance covers personal injury and property damage claims made against you by clients or other members of the public. We provide this protection with cover limits between £1 million and £5 million.

    Example of a claim:

    A handyman accidentally damages fixtures and fittings when rewiring ceiling lights in a domestic property. The client makes a compensation claim for property damage.

  • Employers' liability insurance

    Employers’ liability insurance provides financial protection to tradespeople with employees by covering the cost of compensating employees who become ill or injured as a result of their work. If you have staff, you’re legally obliged to have a minimum of £5 million of this insurance type in place. At Markel, our policies will cover you for up to £10 million.

    Example of a claim:

    A junior electrician is electrocuted while installing an intercom system at a business premises. He is left with severe injuries and sues his employer for compensation.

  • Tools insurance

    Tools insurance covers the cost of replacing or repairing tools or equipment that are lost, damaged or stolen. Our tools insurance cover limits range from £1,000 to £5,000.

    Example of a claim:

    A professional gardener’s commercial-grade lawn mower is stolen from their garage overnight. The gardener makes a portable equipment insurance claim to cover the costs of replacing the machine.

  • Occupational personal accident insurance

    Occupational personal accident insurance provides payment if you can’t earn a living because of an injury you sustain in the course of your work or on the way to or from your work. This cover provides weekly benefits or a cash lump sum.

  • Owned plant insurance

    Owned plant insurance cover the costs of repairing or replacing your own plant machinery. This can include cement mixers, generators, trailers, and more besides if it's damaged or stolen. Cover limits are available from £10,000 to £50,000.

  • Hired in plant insurance

    Hired in plant insurance cover the costs of repairing or replacing plant machinery.This can include forklifts, cherry pickers, concrete mixers and more, that you've hired from a third party, if they are damaged or stolen. Cover limits are available from £10,000 to £50,000.

  • Contract works insurance

    Contract works insurance covers the work you and your employees are completing on a construction site. If your work is affected by a flood or fire, or by theft or malicious damage, contract works insurance can cover the costs of repairing or redoing the work.

  • Goods in transit insurance

    Goods in transit insurance covers you financially against the loss or damage of goods while in transit from one location to another. This can be either goods transported in your own vehicle, or on your behalf by a third-party carrier.

  • Professional indemnity insurance

    Professional indemnity insurance provides financial protection for your trades business in the event that a client claims you’ve been negligent, made a mistake or offered poor advice. This form of cover can be particularly important if you’re paid to offer advice or designs.

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Cover starting at £7 a month**

Frequently asked questions

  • Is business insurance a legal requirement for tradesmen?

    Employers’ liability insurance is the only legally required type of cover for tradesmen (for those who have employees). Other forms of insurance, such as public liability cover and tools protection, are not required by law but they can provide the financial protection your trades business may need to survive and prosper.

  • I need to arrange tradesmen insurance to start work. Do you provide proof of cover?

    Yes. If you purchase a policy with us, we will send you a ‘Confirmation of Liability Insurance’ document, which details the type of cover you’ve taken out. This can be used as evidence that you have the relevant insurance when arranging jobs.

  • What limit of cover should I choose?

    The limit of cover you choose may depend on the regulatory requirements of any industry bodies you’re a member of. Some clients may also require a certain level of cover before they agree to hire you.

    If you’re not affected by industry body or commercial requirements, consider the financial repercussions in worst-case scenarios to help you decide how much cover you will need.

  • How do I make a claim on my tradesman insurance?

    Making a claim on your tradesman insurance is simple when you choose Markel. Visit our claims page to discover how to make a claim and read about our award-winning claims service.

  • How are Markel regulated?

    Markel is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. To find out more, see the Financial Services Register.

Access free legal services for your trades business when you arrange cover with Markel, including:

24 hour legal helpline 24/7 access to a legal advice helpline manned by qualified solicitors

Legal hub access Access legal templates and resources with the Markel Business Hub

 Receive discounted IR35 contract reviews with your policy

 Expert management of public relations crises with The Counsel House

*Discount terms and conditions

The 10% discount will be applied to the net policy premium before insurance premium tax is applied. All Quotations provided will be subject to meeting underwriting and claims criteria acceptance. All cover will be subject to full policy terms and conditions which are available upon request. Clients must enter the discount code 'ROADSHOW10' under the promotional code field at checkout for the offer to be valid. The 10% discount offer is valid from 1st July 2024 until 1st July 2025.

** Premium quoted based on a handyman requiring £1m public liability cover, with no claims or employees.

Cover starting at £7 a month**