What does tilers insurance cover?
Specialist liability insurance for tilers offers the essential business cover you need to protect against potential claims and avoid financial losses. With public liability included, you also have the option to add extras like employers’ liability, tailored to the specific needs and size of your business. So, if you operate as a sole trader or larger business we can provide the cover you need.
Our tilers insurance flexible to your needs. You can customise our Contractors All Risk cover to meet your specific requirements. Choose the level you need for contractors works, plant and tools you own and hire. If you select one or all of these extras, employee tools and personal effects will be included, up to £500.
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
Employers' Liability
Contractors Works
Plant & Tools
Financial Loss
Public Liability
- Up to £5 million available.
- Protection from claims by a third-party (EG member of the public) who sustains injuries or has an item of their property damaged as a result of your actions.
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 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 and 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 do you need tilers cover?
Insurance for tilers can offer essential protection from various risks and liabilities associated with your work. With the best of intentions, sometimes things go wrong and having suitable insurance can acts as a safeguard to your business assets, employees, and clients, with financial protection.
By investing in tilers insurance, you can operate your businesses with confidence, knowing that you have the necessary protection in place if claims should occur. These examples highlight the importance of plasterers cover:
Protection from claims if a client suffers an injury.
Although low risk, accidents can happen and lead to claims from accidental injury to a client or damage to their property. This could be a client tripping over your equipment, or it could be spilling tiling material on a household item, such as a rug or carpet.
Either way, in the event of an accident like this, you are vulnerable to a substantial compensation claim, as well as other associated cost. Public liability insurance can cover you if you find yourself in this situation.
An employee or temporary worker suffers a workplace accident.
Tiling work brings several risks from materials and equipment and general hazards. As an employer, you are responsible for providing a safe workplace for and plasterers you hire.
If employees or temporary workers are involved on your projects, employers’ liability is a legal obligation with fines of £2500 per day for failing to comply.
Our experts explain why...
“Tiling demands precision and carries significant liability exposure – from costly mistakes on expensive surfaces to potential water damage from improper installation. Our specialist trade insurance is designed specifically for tilers’ unique risks, covering everything from accidental damage to tiles and substrates through to protection against future failure claims. We also provide comprehensive tools cover, materials protection, and liability coverage that extends to wet areas and waterproofing work. This targeted protection allows tilers to work with confidence, knowing their expertise is backed by insurance that truly understands the trade.”
Mandy Czyz, Protectivity Underwriter

How much does tiler insurance cost?
The cost of tiling insurance 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 tilers insurance is not just about protecting you from financial losses. It’s a small price to pay to provide additional, professional credibility that you take your business operations seriously.
At Protectivity, Tilers Insurance starts from just £3.89* a month.
Prices from
£3.89* a month
Explainer quote
Policy cost
£3.89* a month
Policy type
Tilers 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 tilers insurance policy?
Let the reviews of over 3,500 customers explain why you should choose us.¹
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Frequently
Asked Questions
Does my insurance cover tiling on external surfaces like patios or steps?
Yes, external tiling is included as long as it falls under your normal business activities. Ensure materials left on-site are stored securely to be eligible for theft or damage cover under Contract Works.
Are materials left at a site overnight covered under my policy?
Yes, if you have Contract Works cover and materials are stored securely, they are insured against theft and damage. However, theft from unsecured areas or vehicles may not be covered.
Do I need extra cover to work on commercial kitchen or bathroom installations?
Not usually, but you should ensure the total value and type of work are within the limits of your existing policy. If working on particularly high-risk or regulated premises, check for any special conditions or exclusions.
Are display tiles or samples I keep in my van insured under this policy?
Yes, if they’re part of your business property and you have either Owned Tools or Contract Works cover. You’ll also need the “Tools of Trade” extension for cover while stored in a locked, unattended vehicle.
If grout failure leads to damp issues later on, does insurance respond to that?
Unfortunately, no. This would be considered a result of poor workmanship or material failure, both of which are specifically excluded.
Is accidental damage to customer plumbing or electrics during tiling covered?
Yes, this would fall under Public Liability cover if the damage is accidental and not caused by gross negligence or deliberate action.
Are employee tools and personal items covered on site?
Yes, up to £500 per employee, when added as an extension to Contract Works or Owned/Hired Tools cover. This protects their tools and personal effects while on the job.
Do I need additional cover for decorative tiling and mosaic work?
No additional cover is required specifically for decorative work, as long as it’s within your declared business activities. However, ensure that high-value materials or fragile tiles are reflected in your Contract Works cover, if applicable.
Am I insured if grout failure leads to water penetration and structural damage?
If the damage is due to faulty workmanship or materials (e.g. grout not applied correctly), it won’t be covered. Insurance generally does not cover gradual or preventable damage caused by poor installation.
Am I insured for working on heritage buildings with period tiles?
Yes, as long as the job doesn’t involve excluded work (e.g. over £2 million contract value or over 2 years duration) and you’ve disclosed the nature of your work. You may wish to confirm the specific work is covered, as heritage work can carry unique risks.
Are laser levels and tile laying equipment covered under tools insurance?
Yes, provided they are owned by you and used in your business, they fall under Owned Tools cover. If left in a vehicle, you’ll need the “Tools of Trade” extension to be insured when locked in an unattended van.
Does tiler’s insurance cover the cost of removing and replacing incorrectly installed tiles?
No, the cost of redoing poor workmanship (like removing and replacing incorrectly installed tiles) is not covered under any section of this insurance.
Am I covered for accidental damage to plumbing or electrical systems during tile removal?
Yes, accidental damage to third-party property (such as pipes or wires) can be covered under Public Liability, provided it’s genuinely accidental and not due to reckless or negligent work.
Are adhesives and grouting materials covered if they’re damaged or stolen?
Yes, if they are considered part of your materials for a job and you hold Contract Works cover, they can be covered for loss or damage. However, theft is only covered when reasonable precautions are taken (e.g. stored securely).
Am I insured for delays caused by incorrect tile measurements or ordering errors?
No, delays due to errors in measurements or ordering are not covered. The policy excludes contractual penalties, loss of time, or late completion costs.
What happens if my tiling work fails and causes damage to the property structure?
If your tiling work leads to structural damage due to a mistake in your workmanship, it is unlikely to be covered. Public Liability excludes damage to the specific property you’re working on. Contract Works cover may help protect materials and damage from certain causes during the project, but not defective workmanship.
Are tile cutting tools and wet saws included in tools coverage?
Yes, both are covered under the “Owned Plant & Tools” section, up to the limit selected (up to £75,000). Tools must be used in connection with your business and securely stored when not in use.
Does my policy cover expensive tiles if I accidentally damage them during installation?
If the tiles are part of the project you’re working on, Public Liability won’t cover accidental damage to those tiles, as they form part of the property being worked on. To protect materials you’re responsible for, you would need Contract Works cover.
Am I covered for water damage caused by faulty tile installations?
No, damage resulting from faulty workmanship (like improper sealing or tiling) is generally excluded. While Public Liability covers accidental damage to third-party property, it won’t respond to poor workmanship or the cost to redo defective work.
Am I insured for bathroom tiling versus kitchen tiling work?
Yes, both bathroom and kitchen tiling are covered under your policy, provided the work falls within your usual business activities and you’re not working on structures excluded in the policy (e.g. offshore sites, marine vessels, etc.).
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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