Electricians Insurance
Protect your electrical business with cover tailored to the risks you actually face, from accidental damage on site to third-party claims.
Get in touchWhat is electricians insurance?
Electricians insurance is a package of policies that protects electrical contractors and sole traders from the risks of working on domestic and commercial properties. It typically combines public liability, employers liability, professional indemnity and tools cover into a single, manageable policy.
Whether you are rewiring a house, installing consumer units, or maintaining industrial equipment, the right cover means a single claim will not derail your business.
Cecil works with insurers who understand the electrical trade, so you get cover that actually fits, not a generic tradesperson product that leaves gaps.
Public Liability
Covers claims from third parties for injury or property damage caused by your work.
Employers Liability
Required by law if you employ anyone. Covers employee injury or illness claims.
Professional Indemnity
Protects you if a client claims your advice or design caused them a financial loss.
Tools and Equipment
Covers the cost of replacing stolen or damaged tools and electrical equipment.
Who needs electricians insurance?
Sole trader electricians
Working alone on domestic or commercial jobs
Electrical contractors
Running a team of employed or subcontracted electricians
EV charger installers
Specialising in domestic or commercial EV charging points
Solar PV installers
Installing and maintaining photovoltaic systems
PAT testers
Carrying out portable appliance testing for businesses
Emergency electricians
Providing out-of-hours call-out services
Licensing and accreditation for electricians
Electricians are not legally required to hold a licence to work, but most installers working on building installations follow either the Building Regulations framework or join a competent person scheme such as NICEIC, ELECSA, or BSI. These schemes provide third-party certification that work meets safety standards.
Clients frequently require evidence of either Building Regulations compliance, a scheme membership (such as NICEIC Part P certification), or a previous inspection certificate before allowing work to begin. Commercial clients especially will insist on this documentation.
Public liability insurance is not a legal requirement but is almost universally required by clients as a condition of hiring. Most insurance policies automatically cover work carried out by competent person scheme members.
Insurance protects you against third-party claims arising from work that meets safety standards. If you operate under a competent person scheme, your insurer will recognise that framework and your policies will align with industry best practice.
How much does electricians insurance cost?
£200 – £500 per year for most sole traders; electricians with employees or working on high-risk commercial installations may pay £600 – £1,200
Real claims: what electricians insurance covers
An electrician's rewiring work caused a faulty installation that led to an electrical fire, damaging the customer's kitchen and causing smoke damage to adjoining properties.
Public liability covered the customer's property damage claim and the cost of remedial repairs to neighbouring properties, as well as the insured's legal defence costs when the customer threatened to pursue the matter further.
£28,500 total — £16,000 property damage to the customer's kitchen, £9,000 to neighbouring properties, and £3,500 legal fees
A electrician's employee was electrocuted while testing a circuit in wet conditions, resulting in a serious injury requiring hospital treatment and ongoing rehabilitation.
Employers liability covered the employee's compensation claim for lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical expenses, including the cost of retraining for lighter duties.
£42,000 total — £35,000 compensation to the injured employee and £7,000 in legal and medical expert fees
An electrician installed a solar PV system that failed to generate power as specified in the design documentation, causing the customer financial loss.
Professional indemnity covered the cost of rectifying the installation, compensating the customer for the reduced energy output they experienced, and the insured's legal costs in defending the claim.
£9,200 total — £5,500 remedial work, £2,200 customer compensation, and £1,500 legal fees
WHY CECIL
Built differently.
We understand the trade
Cecil works with insurers who cover electrical contractors day in, day out. You get a policy built around how you actually work, not a generic tradesperson product.
Fast, straightforward quotes
No lengthy forms or insurance jargon. Tell us about your work and we will find options through insurers who know the electrical contracting market.
Cover for the risks that matter
From tool theft to wiring disputes, we make sure the covers that electricians actually claim on are included. No gaps, no surprises.
Support when you need it
If something goes wrong on a job, you want your insurer to respond quickly. Cecil only works with insurers rated for their claims handling.
Common questions about electricians insurance
Do I need public liability insurance as an electrician in the UK?
Public liability insurance is not a legal requirement for self-employed electricians, but most clients, especially larger commercial ones, will ask to see a certificate before letting you on site. Many industry bodies and trade scheme memberships also require it as a condition of joining.
Does electricians insurance cover subcontractors?
Standard policies typically cover your direct employees. If you use subcontractors, check whether your policy extends to them or whether they need their own cover in place. Some insurers will include labour-only subcontractors automatically, so it is worth confirming before you start a job.
Do electricians need professional indemnity insurance?
If you design electrical systems, produce specifications, or give technical advice to clients, professional indemnity is worth having. If a client claims your design or recommendation caused them a financial loss, it covers your legal costs and any damages awarded.
Do I need a Building Regulations certificate as an electrician?
If you carry out electrical installation work on fixed installations in residential buildings, you must either comply with Building Regulations or operate under a competent person scheme (NICEIC, ELECSA, etc). Work under a competent person scheme is deemed to comply automatically. Your insurer will typically require you to confirm which route you follow.
What is the difference between a Part P certificate and insurance?
A Part P or competent person certificate proves your work met safety standards at the time of installation; it is not insurance. Public liability insurance protects you financially if your work later causes injury or damage and a third party makes a claim. Both are typically required by clients.
Am I covered for maintenance and repairs as well as new installations?
Yes, most policies cover both new installations and maintenance work. However, some restrictions may apply to certain high-risk activities such as live work or testing in hazardous environments. Always confirm your specific activities are covered before quoting.
Does my insurance cover work in homes with asbestos?
Many standard policies exclude work in properties known to contain asbestos. If you regularly work in older homes or commercial buildings, you may need specialist cover or a specific endorsement. Declare any asbestos risk to your insurer when you quote.
What happens if a customer claims my installation was faulty months after I completed it?
Professional indemnity insurance covers claims made during the policy period, even if the work was completed years earlier. However, many policies include a 'tail' clause — discuss long-term liability cover with your insurer when renewing.
Interested in Electricians insurance?
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