The insurance every tradesperson actually needs
The policies, in plain language
Public / general liability — non-negotiable. Covers damage you cause to other people's property or injuries to third parties. You flood the flat below; a client trips on your cable. This is the one that turns a career-ending event into a phone call. Most commercial clients and many homeowners won't hire you without proof of it.
Professional indemnity / errors & omissions. Covers bad advice rather than bad work — you specified the wrong-capacity unit and it fails. Increasingly relevant as tradespeople advise on specification and efficiency.
Tools and equipment. Van break-ins are common and often excluded from basic vehicle cover. Check two things specifically: whether tools are covered overnight in the van (frequently not), and whether the limit reflects what you actually carry — most artisans underinsure by half.
Commercial vehicle. Personal car insurance does not cover business use. Driving to jobs on a personal policy usually voids it entirely at claim time.
Income protection. The one everybody skips and the one that matters most for a solo trader. If you break a wrist, the work stops and the mortgage doesn't. It's rarely expensive relative to what it replaces.
Structural / statutory guarantees. Depending on the country, construction work carries mandatory long-term guarantees backed by insurance (in France, the garantie décennale is legally required for building work — trading without it is an offence). Check what applies to your trade and territory; this is the one where "I didn't know" has no value.
Three mistakes that void cover exactly when you need it
- Doing work outside your declared activity. Your policy lists what you do. A plumber who does an electrical job may find that specific claim refused. Declare every activity you actually perform.
- Under-declaring turnover. Premiums scale with revenue. Under-declaring saves a little and can proportionally reduce a payout.
- Letting proof lapse. Renewals, certificates, subcontractors' cover. If your subcontractor isn't insured and causes damage, your client comes to you.
Put the proof where clients see it
Your registration and insurance details should print on every estimate and invoice. It reassures serious clients, satisfies commercial ones, and is legally required in many places. In Pro Speak Artisan you set your license, tax ID and insurance line once and they appear on every PDF, in the client's language. Related: what warranty to offer.
This article is general guidance, not legal or insurance advice — requirements vary by country and trade. Confirm with a broker who knows your sector.