Plumber Insurance
Trade-specific cover for plumbers & heating engineers from £4.70 a month.*
- Public liability for plumbers
- Tools and equipment cover
- Employers’ Liability
- Fast online quotes
- Join over 180,000 customers**
From £4.70* a month
What does plumber's insurance cover?
When you’re working on plumbing projects, there are specific scenarios that you’ll want to protect yourself against as even a small mistake can become an expensive problem. The right insurance helps you get on with the job, knowing you’re supported if something goes wrong.
Plumber public liability insurance provides the essential starting point. It can protect you if your work causes accidental injury to someone or damage to their property. From there, you can add extra cover depending on the risks your business faces.
This might include cover for the plant and tools you own or hire, as well as tools stolen from your van. If you employ anyone, you can also add employers’ liability insurance. Specific contractors cover options are available to cover work in progress, materials and equipment while you’re carrying out a job.
You can choose the types and levels of cover that suit your business, rather than paying for protection you don’t need.
Make sure you have the correct insurance for your trade and be sure to check if any exclusions are relevant to what you have planned in policy documentation.
Public Liability
Professional Indemnity
Employers' Liability
Contractors Works
Plant & Tools
Public Liability for plumbers
- Cover of up to £5 million is available.
- Protects plumbers against claims from third parties, such as homeowners, customers or members of the public, who are injured or whose property is damaged as a result of your plumbing, heating or pipework installation, maintenance or repair work.
- Does not cover damage to third-party property that forms part of the work you have been contracted to complete.
Public Liability Insurance excludes damage to property that forms part of the plumbing work you are carrying out.
For example, if you’re replacing pipework or installing a new bathroom and accidentally damage the work, you’re responsible for completing, this wouldn’t be covered under Public Liability Insurance.
This protection can be added through Contractors Works cover.
Product Liability
Protects plumbers against claims if products, materials or goods supplied and incorporated into a construction project cause injury or damage to another person’s property.
Employers’ Liability
- Cover of up to £10 million is available.
- Covers claims if an employee, apprentice or labourer is injured or dies because of the employer’s negligence.
- If they or their representative seek compensation, the insurer can handle the cost of the claim, provided policy terms have been complied with.
- Employers’ Liability Insurance is a legal requirement if you employ any staff members.
Professional Indemnity
- Cover up to £500,000 is available.
- Protects plumbers who provide professional advice, design or specifications if a customer claims they’ve suffered a financial loss because of a professional mistake.
- Covers claims arising from negligent acts, errors or omissions by you or your employees while providing professional services.
- Does not typically cover poor workmanship, faulty materials or the cost of correcting defective work. See full policy terms.
Contractors Works
- Cover of up to £250,000 is available.
- Covers loss of or damage to plumbing work in progress that you’re responsible for.
- Includes materials being used as part of the job, whether you’re carrying out installations, repairs, refurbishments or heating and plumbing projects.
Hired plant & tools cover
- Cover of up to £50,000 is available.
- Covers loss of or damage to hired tools, specialist plumbing equipment and plant used while carrying out plumbing and heating work.
- Also covers your legal liability for ongoing hire charges following damage to hired equipment.
Owned plant & tools cover
- Cover of up to £75,000 is available.
- Covers the tools, testing equipment and specialist plumbing equipment you own and use for your work.
Tools left in a vehicle
- Available as an extension to Owned plant and tools cover only.
- Covers your portable tools, including power tools and plumbing equipment, when locked in an unattended vehicle away from the worksite.
Employees tools & personal effects
- Provides cover of up to £1000.
- Covers tools and personal belongings owned by your employees while they are working on-site.
- Also covers items belonging to people you are responsible for under a joint working agreement.
- This is not available as standalone cover. It must be included with Contract Works, Owned Plant and Tools or Hired Plant and Tools cover.
Financial Loss
- Provides up to £50,000 of cover, for accidental financial loss to another party that you are liable for.
- Covers you if a customer suffers a financial loss that is not caused by injury or property damage and you are legally liable.
- This does not include cover for financial losses relating to non-completion or late completion of works you are undertaking.
There are some situations where protection will not apply. This can include:
- Bona fide subcontractors who are expected to hold their own appropriate insurance.
- Any work undertaken over 15m from the surrounding ground level.
- Poor workmanship or the cost of correcting your own work.
- Work you are not qualified or legally permitted to carry out, where specific qualifications, registrations or regulatory requirements apply.
For information on exclusions in your cover please refer to policy documentation.
Why do you need plumber liability insurance?
Leaks, water damage and accidental injuries are common risks in the plumbing trade. Even with thorough risk assessments and the best practices, things can still go wrong.
Self-employed plumber insurance can protect you against the cost of claims if your work causes injury or damages someone’s property. It means you can focus on the job, knowing your business is supported if an unexpected incident leads to a financial setback.
Working on sites, it will likely be mandatory to have proof of at least liability cover before you are allowed to start work.
Please note: You may also find that it is a regulation of your profession to have certain cover. It’s worth checking with the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors, what they advise.
Here are some common examples highlighting why plumbers may need insurance:
Protection from claims if a client suffers injury.
Working in customers’ homes and commercial premises comes with everyday risks. Someone could trip over your tools, slip on water from a leak or be injured while you’re carrying out a repair.
If a customer, contractor or member of the public makes a claim against you, public liability insurance can help cover the associated legal fees and compensation costs.
An employee suffers a workplace accident.
Plumbing work can involve heavy equipment, confined spaces, hot materials and work at height. Even with careful risk assessments and safe working practices, accidents can still happen.
If an employee or temporary worker is injured while working for you, they could make a claim for medical costs, lost earnings or rehabilitation.
Employers’ liability insurance is a legal obligation to protect you from these situations, with fines of £2500 per day for failing to comply.
Damage to plumbing equipment you own or hire.
Your tools are essential to keeping jobs moving. If a pipe threader, press tool or other piece of equipment is damaged, lost or stolen, replacing it could be expensive and leave you unable to work.
Tools and plant cover can help with the cost of repairing or replacing equipment you own or hire, so you can get back to work with less disruption.
Plumbing work in progress is damaged.
Imagine you’re midway through a bathroom installation when a burst pipe or storm damages newly fitted pipework, materials or part of the property you’re working on. Replacing what has been lost and putting the work right could delay the job and leave you facing a significant bill.
Contractors Works cover can help protect work in progress and materials against unexpected loss or damage, helping you keep the project, and your finances, on track.
Our experts explain why...
“Plumbers face a wide range of risks, from accidental damage and liability claims to stolen tools or damaged work in progress. We understand that customers want the confidence to crack on with the job, knowing they have support if something goes wrong.
That’s why our flexible plumbers’ insurance lets you start with the essentials and add trade-specific cover where you need it. We explain the options in straightforward terms, so you can choose protection that’s appropriate for your business, without paying for cover you don’t need.”
Chris Trotman – Head of Sales & Underwriting – Protectivity
How much does plumber liability insurance cost?
Plumbers’ Insurance starts from just £4.70* a month.
The cost of plumber insurance can vary widely depending on several factors, including the size and scope of the construction project, the location of the project, the type of coverage needed, the insurer, and the risk factors associated with the project.
For example, if you want to add plant & tools cover, you’ll choose the level of insurance that’s suitable, which will then affect your premium.
Prices from
£4.70* a month
Explainer Quote
Policy cost
£4.70* a month
Policy type
Plumber
Duration
Annual
Turnover
Up to £150,000
Public Liability
Up to £1,000,000
This example is based on a real quote from our website on 08/09/2026. 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 plumber insurance policy?
Let the reviews of over 3,500 customers explain why you should choose us.¹
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Experienced insurance providers for over 30 years.
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Proof of our excellent customer service.
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Frequently
Asked Questions
What type of insurance do I need as a plumber?
Public Liability Insurance is a key starting point for plumbers, helping protect you if your work accidentally injures someone or damages their property. Depending on how your business operates, you may also want Employers’ Liability, tools and equipment cover, owned or hired plant, Professional Indemnity or Contractors Works cover.
Am I covered if I accidentally cause a leak or water damage at a customer’s property?
Public Liability Insurance can help if your plumbing work accidentally causes damage to a customer’s property, such as water damage following a leak. However, it will not normally cover the cost of repairing or replacing the part of the work you were directly working on. Contractors Works cover may provide additional protection for your work in progress.
What happens if a pipe I’ve installed bursts after the job is finished?
If completed plumbing work later causes accidental damage to someone else’s property, it would depend on the circumstance. It would not normally pay to correct poor workmanship or replace defective work itself.
Am I covered if my van and tools are broken into overnight?
Tools cover can protect insured tools if they are stolen from your van, subject to the policy’s security requirements, limits and exclusions. It’s important to check any conditions around overnight storage and vehicle security.
Am I covered if I take on an apprentice or employ other plumbers?
If you employ staff or take on an apprentice, you will generally need Employers’ Liability Insurance. This can help protect your business if an employee is injured or becomes ill as a result of their work. Employers’ Liability is a legal requirement for most UK businesses with employees.
Am I covered if I’m hired as a subcontractor on a larger building project?
Your insurance can potentially cover you while working as a subcontractor, provided the work falls within your insured activities and policy terms. However, bona fide subcontractors you engage are expected to have their own appropriate insurance.
Larger contractors may also require you to hold a particular level of Public Liability cover before you start work.
Discover more from Protectivity
Page last reviewed & updated: 19th August 2026
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 19/08/2026. 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