Self-Employed Insurance
Specialist business insurance for self-employed professionals from only £3.14 per month.*
- Public Liability included
- Join over 150,000 UK customers**
- Get an instant quote online
From £3.14* a month
Why you need Self‑Employed Insurance?
When you’re self-employed, you are your business. That means any unexpected accident, mistake, or claim could directly impact your income and financial security. If a client, supplier, or member of the public is injured or their property is damaged because of your work, you could be held personally responsible.
Self-Employed Insurance protects you against these risks. One of the most common types is Public Liability Insurance, which covers claims made by third parties. With cover in place, you won’t need to worry about a single accident becoming a financial setback. It typically covers injury to someone (not including your employees) and damage to someone else’s property.
At Protectivity all our small business policies includes 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 pet care services, therapy and hairdressing to personal training, creative services and many other trades, we make sure you’re covered.
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
Working for yourself brings freedom, but it also means you take on more responsibility. Without cover, you’d have to cover legal fees, compensation, or replacement costs out of your own pocket.
The right mix of insurance will depend on what you do, but common covers for self-employed professionals include:
- Public Liability Insurance
Protects you if someone is injured or their property is damaged because of your work.
- Professional Indemnity Insurance
Important if you provide advice, training, designs, or services where mistakes could cause financial loss for a client.
- Employers’ Liability Insurance
A legal requirement if you hire employees — even casually or part-time. Covers claims made by staff for illness or injury.
- Equipment Insurance
Your tools, kit, or stock are often vital to earning a living. Equipment cover protects against theft, loss, or accidental damage.
- Legal Expenses Insurance
Helps with the cost of legal advice and representation, whether it’s an employment dispute, contract issue, or tax investigation.
- Specialist Extras
We provide tailored options for self-employed industries including pet care, hair and beauty, manual trades, events, and fitness. That way, you only pay for cover that’s relevant to your work.
Who needs Self‑Employed Insurance?
Any self-employed professional or sole trader should consider insurance. Whether you’re a freelancer, a mobile therapist, a tradesperson, or someone running your business from home, having the right protection is essential.
Many clients, landlords, and trade bodies also require proof of insurance before they’ll hire you or let you 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:
Tradespeople and contractors
Builders, plumbers, electricians, and others working in clients’ homes or on site.
Specialist service providers
Pet sitters, dog walkers, groomers, cleaners, caterers, crafters, and similar businesses.
Health, beauty and wellbeing professionals
Therapists, personal trainers, fitness instructors, and other service providers working directly with clients.
Event organisers and stallholders
Those running or exhibiting at fairs, markets, festivals, and conferences.
Consultants, freelancers, and creatives
Professionals offering services, whether working from client offices, shared spaces, or their own premises.
Our experts explain why...
“Self-employed insurance gives you vital protection against the risks of working for yourself – from accidental injury or property damage claims to unexpected legal costs. Even a small mishap could lead to significant expenses, but with the right cover in place, you can focus on running your business with confidence, knowing you’re protected if the unexpected happens.”
Chris Trotman, Protectivity Underwriting Manager
How much does self‑employed insurance cost?
At Protectivity policies start at just £3.14* a month.
Your liability insurance cost will be based on several factors and in particular the level of cover you require. For example, you can select £1 million to £10 million worth of cover, depending on your business activity.
Prices will also be affected by the size of your business, how many people work for you and things like your annual turnover. Follow the quote process to receive the most suitable quote.
At Protectivity public liability is typically included as standard. We have also designed specialist policies that take into account specific activities and allow you to easily add extras such as equipment cover, legal expenses, professional indemnity, employers’ liability etc.
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 06/10/2025. 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 self-employed 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
Do I need business insurance if I’m self-employed?
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 self-employed insurance mandatory in the UK?
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’s the difference between public liability and professional indemnity?
- Public Liability Insurance protects you if someone is injured or their property is damaged because of your work.
- Professional Indemnity Insurance protects you if a client claims they lost money due to mistakes, poor advice, or negligence in your services.
Many self-employed professionals’ benefit from having both, as they cover different but equally important risks.
Do I need employers’ liability if I’m self-employed?
If you’re a sole trader or the only person in your business, you don’t usually need Employers’ Liability Insurance. However, the moment you hire someone, even a part-time assistant or temporary worker, the law requires you to have it in place.
Does self-employed insurance cover my tools and equipment?
Yes, if you add Equipment Insurance to your policy. This covers the cost of repairing or replacing your tools, kit, or stock if they’re lost, stolen, or damaged. For many self-employed people, this protection is vital, as equipment is often essential to keeping your business running.
Is there a difference between sole trader and self-employed insurance?
The terms are often used interchangeably. A sole trader is a specific type of self-employed business structure, but the insurance needs are broadly the same. What matters most is the type of work you do and the risks involved, rather than the label you operate under.
At Protectivity, our self-employed policies are designed to be flexible enough to suit both sole traders and other self-employed professionals.
Discover more from Protectivity
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 06/10/2025. 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
ˆ10% discount for policies bought online and applies only to the first-year of your policy premium. Protectivity reserves the right to amend or withdraw this offer at any time. Available to UK residents only.
¹Based on live Feefo data