Carpenters Insurance
Specialist business insurance for carpenters, from £3.96 per month.*
- Join over 180,000 customers**
- Get a quote in under 60 seconds
- Public Liability for Carpenters
- Tools and equipment cover
- Employers’ Liability and more
From £3.96* a month
What does carpenters insurance cover?
Our Carpenters insurance provides the crucial business cover you need to guard against potential claims, helping you operate with confidence and avoid financial risks. 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. So, if you operate as a sole trader or run a larger business we can provide the cover you need.
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
- Up to £5 million available.
- This protects you against claims for third-party injury or property damage. This excludes the specific item you are currently working on (e.g., the bespoke cabinet you are building); for that, you would need Contract Works cover.
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.
Employers’ Liability
- Up to £10 million available.
- A legal essential for any carpentry firm with employees. This can protect you if a worker suffers an injury or illness as a result of their work for you.
Contractors Works
- Up to £250,000 worth of cover
- This protects the permanent or temporary work you are responsible for. If a staircase you have just installed is damaged by a fire or a flood on the building site before the project is handed over, this cover can help pay for the materials and labour to replace it.
Plant & tools hired
- Up to £50,000 worth of cover.
- If you hire larger equipment like industrial dust extractors or scaffolding for a specific contract, this covers your liability for damage to those items and any ongoing hire charges.
Plant & tools owned
- Up to £75,000 worth of cover.
- Covers your specialised woodworking tools against theft, loss, or accidental damage.
- 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 and Hired Plant & Tools cover, with protection up to £500.
Financial Loss
- Up to £50,000 per claim available.
- Protection against claims for purely financial losses that are not a direct result of physical injury or damage.
- Bona fide sub-contractors: Any independent carpenters you hire who work under their own direction must have their own separate insurance in place.
- Late delivery: Financial losses caused by the late arrival of timber, hardware, or other essential supplies.
- The item being worked on: Damage to the specific piece of furniture or structural element that you are currently working on (unless you have added Contract Works cover).
For information on exclusions in your cover please refer to policy documentation.
Why do you need carpenters cover?
As a carpenter, your work ranges from intricate finishing and joinery to heavy structural framing. Whether you are working in a workshop or on a client’s site, the use of tools, heavy timber, and the creation of dust and wood shavings brings a specific set of risks to your business.
Specialist carpenters’ insurance provides the security you need to focus on your craftsmanship, ensuring that an accidental injury or a theft of your tools doesn’t bring your business to a standstill.
Take a look at some situations where you need insurance:
Protection against site accidents
From a client tripping over your saw bench to accidentally damaging property items whilst installing a kitchen, site work is unpredictable.
Public Liability insurance protects you if your work causes accidental injury to a third party or damage to their property, covering both the legal fees and any compensation awarded.
Responsibility for your apprentices and team
If you employ other carpenters, labourers, or apprentices, Employers’ Liability is a legal requirement in the UK. Woodworking involves high-risk machinery and physical handling. This cover can support you, with financial and legal costs, if a member of your team is injured on the job and makes a claim.
Protecting your high-value toolkit
Your saws, drills, routers, and sanders are the backbone of your business. If your toolkit is stolen from your van or damaged on-site, the cost of replacement can be thousands of pounds. Our Tools and Plant cover can help to replace your essential gear quickly, keeping your projects on track and your income secure.
Our experts explain why...
“Our carpenter’s insurance is built around the unique risks of woodworking professionals. Beyond essential liability coverage, we protect against the specialised challenges carpenters face daily – from cover for Contractors All Risks, which is designed to protect your material responsibilities when undertaking contracted work, to protecting valuable tools and equipment.
Our polices allow you to focus on your craftsmanship, knowing you’re protected against the specific risks you might encounter.”
Chris Trotman, Protectivity Underwriting Manager
How much does carpenters insurance cost?
At Protectivity, Carpenters Insurance starts from just £3.96* a month.
The cost of carpenter insurance can vary depending on several factors from the size of your business to the type and amount of equipment you need to cover. If you employ staff, for example, then your policy will need additional cover in employers’ liability, at a higher cost.
Investing in specialist carpenter insurance is not just about protecting you from financial losses. It’s a small price to pay to provide additional, professional credibility that you are operating your business responsibly.
Prices from
£3.96* a month
Explainer quote
Policy cost
£3.96* a month
Policy type
Carpenter 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 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.
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 carpenters 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
Am I covered for fire risks from wood dust in my workshop?
Not under standard tradesperson insurance. Fire risks from wood dust in a permanent workshop setting would require specific property or workshop insurance that includes fire and explosion cover.
Does my policy cover design work for custom furniture?
Only if you’re not charging a separate fee for the design service. The policy excludes professional advice or design for a fee, so if design is a charged service, you may need Professional Indemnity Insurance, which is not covered under this policy.
Do I need specific coverage for working with engineered wood products?
No additional cover is needed. Engineered wood products like MDF, plywood, or laminated timber are included under normal material usage, assuming they’re used within your trade.
Are clients’ materials covered while in my possession?
Possibly, if the materials are your responsibility under contract and you have Contract Works cover, they can be insured against accidental damage, fire, or theft. Otherwise, they’re typically excluded under Public Liability.
Does my policy cover wood dust-related health claims?
Only under Employers’ Liability, if an employee makes a claim due to health issues like respiratory problems from wood dust exposure, and if negligence can be established.
What coverage do I need for a workshop with multiple machines?
For multiple machines in a fixed workshop (e.g., saws, planers, CNC routers), you will need commercial property insurance or workshop machinery cover in addition to your standard Plant & Tools cover, which is designed for mobile/on-site use.
Am I covered for using traditional woodworking techniques vs power tools?
Yes, your choice of tools or techniques does not affect coverage. However some powerered saws hold a higher risk so please check with us that or policy documentation if these are covered in specific situations.
Does my insurance cover damage to heritage or listed buildings?
Yes, as long as the work is part of your declared business and contract terms. However, working on listed or heritage buildings may carry special requirements or higher risks, so it’s please check with us for any clarification.
What height limit does my insurance cover for ladder work?
Most standard policies will cover ladder work up to a certain height (commonly around 10–15 metres), but this varies by provider. You should confirm your exact height limit in the policy schedule.
Does my workshop need separate coverage from my on-site work?
Yes. While your policy covers on-site activities, workshops or fixed premises typically require separate commercial property or workshop insurance to protect against risks like fire, theft, and equipment breakdown.
Am I covered for transporting materials and finished pieces to clients?
If the items are in transit and covered under Contract Works or Owned Tools, you may be protected. However, standard cover excludes damage during delivery unless transported securely and in connection with your work.
Are power tools covered differently from hand tools?
No, both are covered under Owned Plant & Tools insurance. You can also add the Tools of Trade extension to protect them while stored in locked vehicles or while working off-site.
Does my policy cover work at heights, like installing roof trusses?
Yes, height work is covered, but make sure you’re working within any specified policy height restrictions. If you’re frequently working at significant heights, it’s worth confirming your insurer’s specific conditions
What if my tools are stolen from a client’s property overnight?
They can be covered under the Tools of Trade extension but only if stored in a locked vehicle or secure area. Theft from an unlocked van or unsecured site is typically excluded.
Am I covered when installing pre-fabricated items vs custom-made pieces?
Yes, both types of installation are covered as long as they fall within your declared trade. Damage to these items before installation may be covered under Contract Works; however, incorrect installation or fitment errors are not.
Does my policy cover wooden structures I’ve built if they fail later?
Not if the failure is due to defective design, materials, or workmanship. However, if the structure causes accidental third-party injury or property damage, Public Liability may cover you but not the cost to repair or rebuild the structure itself.
Are apprentices automatically covered under my policy?
Yes, apprentices are covered under Employers’ Liability, which is a legal requirement if you employ staff. Make sure your employee count is up to date to ensure adequate protection.
Do I need different coverage for structural vs decorative carpentry work?
No, both structural and decorative carpentry are covered under the same policy, as long as they’re part of your declared business activities. If you’re undertaking large-scale structural work, ensure the contract value doesn’t exceed the policy limits (e.g. £2 million).
Am I covered for mistakes in measurements or fitments?
No. Mistakes in measuring, cutting, or fitting are considered poor workmanship and are excluded from cover. Insurance will not pay to remake or refit custom joinery that doesn’t fit.
Does my insurance cover damage to wood/materials I’m working with?
Damage to materials that are part of your active project won’t be covered under Public Liability, as they’re considered part of the property you’re working on. However,under Contract Works it can cover accidental loss or damage to wood and materials under your care, up to the selected limit.
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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 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