Freelancer Insurance
Specialist insurance for freelancers from only £3.14 per month*. Get an instant quote online.
- Public Liability included
- Join over 180,000 UK customers**
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From £3.14* a month
What does freelancer insurance cover?
As a freelancer, you are your business — which means any accident, mistake, or claim could directly affect your income and financial security. Freelancer insurance protects you from the costs of unexpected risks so you don’t have to cover them out of your own pocket.
At Protectivity all our freelancer policies include liability cover as standard, with the flexibility to add optional extras that fit your unique needs. You can choose from equipment cover, employers’ liability, additional legal protection, and a variety of other tailored add-ons, all designed to suit the size and nature of your business. From creative freelancers, pet care services, therapy and hairdressing to personal training, catering, and many other trades, we make sure you’re covered.
Be aware cover options may differ by trade or profession. Get a quote to see the full range of cover options available for your business.
Make sure you have the correct insurance for your activities and be sure to check if any exclusions are relevant to what you have planned in policy documentation.
Public Liability
Employers' Liability
Professional Indemnity
Public Liability Insurance
- Protection from claims by a third-party who sustains injuries or has their property damaged, whereby you or your business is responsible.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
- This protects you from damages caused by your mistakes, errors, or negligence in your professional work, including those made by your employees, if you have the correct employers’ liability insurance.
Employers’ Liability Insurance
- Protection from claims against employee incidents if someone suffers a work-related injury and brings a claim against you.
Equipment Insurance
- Protection against theft, loss and accidental damage, allowing you to replace items to the value you select. For the tools and equipment, you rely on to earn a living.
Stock
- If your stock is lost, damaged or stolen, it can be covered up to the value you select.
Legal Expenses Insurance
- An option to include cover for employment, property and contract disputes, as well as health and safety appeals, jury service, court attendance and licence protection.
Cover may vary depending on your trade or profession. Get a quote to see the full range of options available for your business.
- We provide tailored policies service sectors including pet care, hair and beauty, manual trades, events, and fitness. That way, you only pay for cover that’s relevant to your work.
Public Liability for tradesman
Protection against claims from third parties (e.g., a member of the public) who suffer injuries or have items of their property damaged due to your actions. This does not include third-party property that forms part of the working contract site.
Claims for damage to property that is part of the construction or worksite itself are excluded under public liability. For instance, if the contractor is working on a site owned by someone else and the property forms part of the construction project, such damage would not be covered by this insurance. However, this can be included by adding Contract Works cover.
Cover may vary depending on your trade or profession. Get a quote to see the full range of options available for your business.
Employers’ Liability
- Up to £10 million available.
- If any employee suffered physical injury or a fatality because of the employer’s negligence. If that staff member sought compensation, the insurer would handle the cost of the claim.
- If you employ any staff members, Employers’ Liability is a legal requirement.
Contractors Works
- Up to £250,000 worth of cover
- This cover can protect you against loss or damage to any permanent or temporary works you’re responsible for, including all the materials.
Plant & tools hired
- Up to £50,000 worth of cover.
- Covers you for loss of or damage to, hired tools and equipment, temporary buildings, caravans, or similar that you have hired in connection with any contract works being undertaken by you.
- Cover also includes your legal liability for hiring charges following damage to any hired property.
Plant & tools owned
- Covers your tools and equipment, temporary buildings, caravans, or similar on-site that are owned by you and used in connection with any contract works being undertaken by you.
- Covers your tools and equipment off-site if locked in an unattended vehicle. This is only available as an extension of plant & tools owned cover and covers your own portable tools, including power driven portable tools and business equipment, when kept in a locked vehicle and left unattended.
Employees tools & personal effects
- This covers tools and personal items owned by your employees while on any site, or those you’re responsible for under a joint working agreement.
- It’s not available as a standalone cover but comes with either Contract Works or Owned or Hired Plant & Tools cover, with protection up to £500.
Financial Loss
- Protection from claims from other parties relating to financial losses not directly consequent upon bodily injury or damage.
- Cover for bona fide subcontractors, who should have their own insurance.
- Claims for financial losses relating to non or late delivery of products to third parties.
For information on exclusions in your cover please refer to policy documentation.
Why do freelancers need insurance?
Working as a freelancer brings freedom, flexibility, and independence — but it also means taking full responsibility for your work and the risks that come with it. Unlike employees, freelancers don’t have the safety net of an employer to step in if something goes wrong. Whether it’s a client dispute, an accident, or the loss of essential equipment, the financial impact falls directly on you. Having the right insurance gives you the protection you need to keep your business secure and your income safe.
Public Liability Insurance
Public liability insurance protects you if a client, supplier, or member of the public is injured or if their property is damaged because of your work. For instance, imagine a client tripping over your tools during a visit or accidentally scratching a customer’s furniture while working on site. Even seemingly minor incidents can lead to expensive claims and legal costs. With this cover in place, you don’t have to worry about one mishap jeopardising your livelihood.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
If you provide advice, training, designs, or other professional services, professional indemnity insurance is essential. A single mistake or oversight, such as a client losing money because of an error in your work, could quickly escalate into a costly claim. This insurance protects you against allegations of negligence, mistakes, or poor advice, ensuring that one error doesn’t undo years of hard work.
Employers’ Liability Insurance
Some freelancers eventually take on extra help, whether that’s a part-time assistant, a casual worker, or temporary staff. In the UK, employers’ liability insurance becomes a legal requirement as soon as you employ someone. It protects you if an employee becomes ill or injured as a result of their work, and without it you could face fines of £2,500 for every day you’re not covered.
Legal Expenses Insurance
Freelancers can also face unexpected legal disputes, whether it’s over contracts, tax investigations, or employment issues. Legal expenses insurance helps cover the cost of advice and representation, giving you peace of mind that you can access professional support without worrying about hefty legal bills.
Equipment Insurance
Most freelancers rely heavily on tools, technology, or specialist equipment to deliver their work. If your laptop, camera, or other essential kit were to be stolen, lost, or damaged, it could disrupt your income and be costly to replace. Equipment insurance ensures you can recover quickly from these setbacks without bearing the full financial burden yourself.
Our experts explain why...
“Freelancer insurance gives you vital protection against the risks of working independently — from client claims and professional mistakes to costly legal disputes. When you work for yourself, even a small error or accident can have a big financial impact. With the right cover in place, you can focus on your projects and clients with confidence, knowing you’re protected if the unexpected happens.”
Chris Trotman, Protectivity Underwriting Manager
How much does freelancer insurance cost?
At Protectivity, policies start at just £3.14* a month.
The cost of freelance insurance depends on factors such as:
- The type of work you do
- Your turnover
- Whether you employ staff
- The level of cover you choose
For example, liability cover can range from £1 million up to £10 million depending on your needs.
At Protectivity, Public Liability Insurance is usually included as standard, and our policies are flexible, so you can add extras like employers’ liability, business equipment, professional indemnity, or legal expenses.
Prices from
£3.14* a month
Explainer quote
Policy cost
£3.14* a month
Policy type
Therapist Insurance
Duration
Annual
Turnover
£50,000
Public Liability
£1,000,000
Professional Indemnity
£1,000,000
Third Party Property Damage
£750
This example is based on a real quote from our website on 05/01/2026. If your circumstances and cover needs differ, your quote may be more or less expensive than the above example. The quote you receive will reflect the information you share about your event. The quoted price may vary from those displayed here.
Who needs freelancer insurance?
Many clients, landlords, and trade bodies also require proof of insurance before they’ll hire you or allow you to work on their premises. Insurance doesn’t just protect your finances – it can also help you win work and build trust with clients.
It’s particularly important for:
Freelancers, consultants, and creatives
Designers, copywriters, and photographers to business consultants.
Personal service providers
Pet sitters, dog walkers, cleaners, caterers, and similar roles.
Health, beauty, and wellbeing professionals
Therapists, fitness instructors, personal trainers, beauticians, and other specialists.
Event organisers and stallholders
Selling at markets, running a stall, or organising community events.
Tradespeople and contractors
Builders, electricians, plumbers, and others working in clients’ homes or on site.
Have a question?
For further information on your policy, renewals, making a claim and contacting us, you’ll find an extensive list of FAQs on our Help & Support page.
Why choose Protectivity for your freelance public liability insurance policy?
Let the reviews of over 3,500 customers explain why you should choose us.¹
Trusted by over 180,000 customers.
Experienced insurance providers for over 30 years.
Over 3,500 highly rated reviews.
Proof of our excellent customer service.
Experienced Claims Handling
A smooth and efficient claims process.
UK Based Customer Support
Our UK sales team are here to help.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Do freelancers need insurance?
Yes — even if you work alone, business insurance can protect you financially if something goes wrong. For example, if a client or member of the public is injured, or their property is damaged because of your work, you could be held personally responsible for compensation costs. Insurance ensures you won’t have to pay out of your own pocket.
Is freelancer insurance a legal requirement for all industries?
Some types of insurance are optional, while others may be required depending on how you work. For example:
- Employers’ Liability Insurance is a legal requirement if you hire anyone, even part-time or temporary staff.
- Other covers like Public Liability aren’t required by law but are strongly recommended — and often demanded by clients, landlords, or trade associations.
What types of cover are typically included in freelancer insurance in the UK?
Freelancer insurance usually starts with public liability cover, which protects you if someone is injured or their property is damaged because of your work. Many freelancers also choose professional indemnity insurance, particularly if they provide advice, designs, or services where mistakes could cause financial loss for a client. If you rely on tools or technology, equipment insurance is another common option to safeguard against theft, loss, or accidental damage. Legal expenses insurance is often added to help with the cost of disputes or tax investigations. And if you employ staff, even casually, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement.
How do I know which level of professional indemnity cover I need?
The right level of professional indemnity cover depends on the nature of your work and the potential financial impact if something went wrong. For example, a designer creating marketing materials may face lower risk than a consultant advising on large business investments. A good starting point is to consider the size of contracts you handle and the potential losses your client could claim if your work caused an issue. In many cases, clients, agencies, or trade bodies will specify the minimum level of cover they expect — often ranging from £50,000 up to £1 million or more. It’s always better to choose a higher limit if you’re unsure, as claims can quickly add up once legal fees are included.
Am I insured for multiple types of freelance work?
Yes, in some cases you can be insured for more than one type of freelance activity under a single policy. This is particularly useful if you combine different services — for example, working as both a photographer and a web designer.
With Protectivity you can select multiple activities under a specialist category for example creative industry work, pet care, fitness instructors, therapists,
When arranging your policy, you’ll need to disclose all the types of work you carry out so your insurer can make sure you’re covered. If you take on new kinds of work later, you can usually update your policy to reflect this.
Discover more from Protectivity
This page has been created for general information and should not be taken as advice.
*Prices quoted refer to a quote raised from our website on 05/01/2026. Prices will differ depending on requirements. Make sure you have the correct level of cover for what you need. For the most accurate pricing, please get a quote and for full details on what is covered, refer to our policy documentation with your quote.
** Based on Protectivity sales data from 2007 to present
¹Based on live Feefo data