Joiner Insurance
Specialist business insurance for joiners, from £3.96 per month.*
- Join over 150,000 customers**
- Get a quote in under 60 seconds
- Joiner public liability insurance
- Tools and equipment cover
- Employers’ Liability and more
From £3.96* a month
What does joiner insurance cover?
Our Joiners’ Insurance offers essential liability coverage to protect you from potential claims, enabling you to work with peace of mind and safeguard your finances.
It includes Public Liability as standard, with the option to add extras like Employers’ Liability, Contractors Works cover, and Plant & Tools cover, all tailored to fit the unique needs and scale of your business.
Our policy is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing you to customise our Contractors All Risk cover to suit your specific needs. You can select the level of cover required for contractor works and any plant or tools you own or hire. By choosing one or more of these options, employee tools and personal belongings will also be covered, up to £500.
Make sure you have the correct insurance for your trades and be sure to check if any exclusions are relevant to what you have planned in policy documentation.
Public Liability
Employers' Liability
Contractors Works
Plant & Tools
Financial Loss
Public Liability Insurance for Joiners’
- Up to £5 million available.
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 the work you are undertaking is not covered under Public Liability cover, this can be considered under Contract Works cover. Third party property damage cover is included under Public Liability, as long as it doesn’t make up all or part of the work you are undertaking.
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
- Up to £75,000 worth of cover.
- Covers your tools and equipment, temporary buildings, caravans, or similar that are owned by you and used in connection with any contract works being undertaken by you.
Tools of Trade
- Covers your tools and equipment off-site if locked in an unattended vehicle, up to £5000.
- 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
- Up to £50,000 per claim available.
- 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 you need business insurance for joiners?
Insurance for joiners can provide the necessary protection for yourself, your assets, your employees, and your clients from various risks and liabilities associated with your carpentry work.
By investing in the right insurance, joiners can operate their businesses with confidence, knowing that they have the necessary protection in place to mitigate potential risks and uncertainties. Take a look at some situations where you need insurance:
Protection from claims if an client suffers injury.
Accidents can happen whilst onsite providing joining work, for instance unintentional injury to a client or bystander from a wood fragment.
Public liability insurance protects joiners from financial liabilities arising from such incidents by covering the costs of legal fees, compensation claims, and any associated expenses.
An employee or temporary worker has an accident during work.
Joining work brings a number of risks from the nature of the work and tools involved. If employees or temporary workers are involved in an accident in the workplace they could bring a claim against you for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages.
Employers’ liability is a legal obligation to protect you from these situations, with fines of £2500 per day for failing to comply.
Accidental damage caused to plant and tools you own or hire.
As a self-employed joiner you may have access to specialist tools and plant equipment, to aid you in providing the work you are undertaking. These tools could be frequently subject to damage and loss.
Without Plant and Tools insurance, you’d have to cover the cost of replacing these expensive tools, which could impact your earnings. However, with the insurance in place, the cost of repairing or replacing your tools would be covered, allowing you to continue your work without financial worry.
Protection against tool theft from a locked vehicle
Imagine your tools are stolen from your van whilst parked offsite. Not all insurance will cover this scenario, leaving you out of pocket and without vital equipment to complete your work.
With our owned plants and tool cover you can extend your policy to include theft of tools from an unattended vehicle in your cover, up to £5000.
Our experts explain why...
“Our Carpenters and Joiners insurance is designed to protect professionals working in the woodworking and construction industry across the UK. Our specialist cover goes beyond standard liability insurance, offering protection against workplace accidents, damage claims, and equipment losses.
We protect your tools, materials, and contracted work—whether owned or hired—along with coverage for your team’s equipment and potential staff claims. This includes Contractors All Risks coverage, ensuring your materials are protected during projects, as well as cover for both hired and owned plant and tools.
Our policy is specifically tailored to the needs of carpenters and joiners, who rely on precision, skill, and specialist equipment. With protection in place, you can focus on your craft with confidence, knowing your business is covered against unexpected risks.”
Chris Trotman, Protectivity Underwriting Manager
How much does joiner insurance cost?
At Protectivity, Joiners Insurance starts from just £3.96* a month.
The cost of business insurance for joiners can vary depending on several factors, for example, if you employ staff then your policy will need additional cover in employers’ liability, at a higher cost.
Investing in specialist joiners’ insurance is not just about protecting you from financial losses. It’s a small price to pay to provide additional financial support in case things go wrong.
Prices from
£3.96* a month
Explainer quote
Policy cost
£3.96* a month
Policy type
Joiner Insurance
Duration
Annual
Turnover
up to £250,000
Public Liability
£1,000,000
This example is based on a real quote from our website on 06/03/2025. 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.
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 joiner insurance policy?
Let the reviews of over 3,500 customers explain why you should choose us.¹
Trusted by over 150,000 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
Are hand tools like chisels and hand planes covered for theft and damage?
Yes, hand tools are covered under Owned Tools insurance and can be protected while off-site with the Tools of Trade extension — as long as they’re kept in a locked and unattended vehicle or secure storage.
What happens if my fitted furniture installation damages flooring or walls?
Accidental damage to a customer’s property, such as scratching floors or damaging walls during installation, is covered under Public Liability, provided the damage was not intentional or due to negligent practices.
Do I need additional cover for laminated timber and engineered wood products?
No, these materials are covered as part of standard joinery activities. Just ensure the value of your materials is reflected accurately in your Contract Works or tools cover.
Am I insured if wood stains or finishes cause damage to customer property?
Yes, if the damage is accidental — such as spills or staining surrounding areas — Public Liability can cover it. However, damage due to incorrect application or failure to follow product instructions may not be covered.
Does joiner’s insurance cover working on listed buildings or period properties?
Yes, this type of work is covered as long as it’s part of your disclosed business activities. Due to the complexity of listed buildings, ensure the job doesn’t exceed contract value or duration limits, and disclose any heritage work to the insurer.
Am I covered for accidental damage to existing woodwork during restoration projects?
This may be covered under Public Liability, but only if the woodwork is not part of the area you’re actively working on. Damage to surfaces under restoration is generally excluded unless Contract Works applies.
Are timber stocks and materials covered if stored at customer premises?
Yes, if you hold Contract Works cover, your materials are protected against loss or damage while stored at a job site, as long as they are stored securely. Theft from unsecured areas may not be covered.
Am I insured for delays caused by timber defects or warping issues?
No, delays or financial losses from material defects, including warping or expansion, are not covered. The policy excludes penalties, missed deadlines, and material failure not caused by an insured event.
What happens if my joinery work causes structural issues to the building?
If the structural issues are a result of accidental damage during your work, Public Liability may cover you. However, any damage arising from faulty design, poor installation, or defective workmanship would be excluded.
Are specialist joinery tools like mortise machines and planers covered?
Yes, both portable and non-portable tools are covered under Owned Plant & Tools (up to £75,000), or Hired Plant & Tools if rented. Tools must be securely stored when not in use to remain insured.
Does my policy cover expensive hardwood timber if I accidentally damage it during work?
Only if you have Contract Works cover in place. Public Liability won’t cover damage to materials forming part of the work you’re contracted to complete. Contract Works can insure timber and other materials under your responsibility on-site.
Am I covered if my custom joinery doesn’t fit properly due to measurement errors?
No, measurement errors that lead to misfitting or incorrect fabrication are not covered. This falls under poor workmanship or professional error, which is excluded under the policy. Costs to remake or rework joinery are not insurable.
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This page content has been created for general information and should not be taken as advice.
*Prices quoted refer to a quote raised from our website 06/03/2025. 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 Sep 2024
¹Based on live Feefo data