What does woodwork insurance cover?
Whether you’re handcrafting dining tables in your workshop or turning bowls to sell at local artisan markets, our woodwork insurance is built with your craft in mind. We provide essential liability cover designed for woodworkers and furniture makers who sell their creations online, at fairs, or through bespoke commissions.
Our policy reflects the unique challenges you face, whether it’s transporting a custom cabinet to a client, showcasing pieces at a craft show, or operating woodworking tools in a shared studio. Flexible and affordable, our cover options scale with your business, giving you the freedom to choose the protection that fits your needs.
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
Product Liability
Equipment
Stock
Employers' Liability
Public Liability
- Up to £5 million available.
- Protection from claims by a third-party (EG member of the public) who sustains injuries or has their property damaged as a result of your actions.
Product Liability
- Up to £5 million available.
- Protection should you receive any claims arising from any products and goods supplied by you to other parties, who may then sustain an injury or damage to their own property.
Equipment
- Up to £250 covered as standard
- Increase up to £10,000 worth of cover
- If your craft tools are lost, damaged or stolen, your equipment can be covered up to the value you select.
Stock Cover
- Up to £250 covered as standard
- Increase up to £3000 worth of cover
- If your stock is lost, damaged or stolen, it can be covered up to the value you select.
Employers’ Liability
- Up to £10 million available.
- Protection from claims against employee incidents, if that employee suffers a work-related injury and brings a claim against you.
- If you employ any staff members, Employers’ Liability is a legal requirement.
- Upcycling projects. This policy is intended for crafters producing or building products from scratch.
- Export of your products to the US and/or Canada, unless agreed with ourselves.
- Theft of your Equipment and/or Stock from unattended vehicles.
- Heat work away from your premises, unless when using hot air guns, soldering irons or engraving tools and only if this has been agreed by ourselves.
- Storing your equipment and/or stock at more than two different premises, one of which that needs to be your correspondence address.
For information on exclusions in your cover please refer to policy documentation.
Why do you need woodwork & furniture making insurance?
When someone commissions a custom bookshelf or buys a handmade coffee table, they expect quality—and as a skilled craftsperson, you take pride in delivering it. But even with the utmost care, things can go wrong. A splintered leg during delivery, a finish that doesn’t cure properly, or even a customer injury from a faulty fitting—this is where specialist insurance becomes essential.
If you run your woodworking business year-round, an annual insurance policy is usually the best option. However, if you’re only attending the occasional furniture fair or seasonal craft market, short-term cover—such as Stallholder Insurance—may be more suitable. Whichever route you take, make sure you’re protected.
Here are a few real-world examples of why having insurance matters for woodworkers and furniture makers:
Protection from claims due to public injury.
If someone visiting your stand at a furniture fair or market trips over a display table leg or stack of timber, you could be held responsible for their injury. These kinds of public accidents—no matter how small—can lead to significant claims.
Public liability insurance protects you from the financial impact of such incidents, giving you peace of mind at every event.
Protection if a product causes harm.
Say a customer buys one of your handmade stools, and a faulty joint gives way, causing an injury. Even with the highest craftsmanship standards, things can go wrong—and the legal consequences can be serious.
Product liability insurance provides crucial cover for any injury or damage caused by an item you’ve sold, helping safeguard your business and reputation.
Cover for tools and materials you rely on.
Woodworking often requires a substantial investment in specialist tools and materials. Whether it’s a set of chisels, a table saw, or finished stock awaiting delivery, any damage or loss—like a leak in your workshop or storage space—can hit hard.
Equipment and stock cover helps you recover quickly from the unexpected, covering repairs or replacements so you can keep working without disruption.
An event or venue asks for public liability to sell your crafts.
Many craft fairs, markets, and artisan events now require proof of public liability insurance before they’ll let you exhibit. It’s often a non-negotiable part of booking a stall.
With the right policy in place, you’ll be ready to show proof and secure your place without delay.
Our experts explain why...
“Woodworking and furniture making demand not only creative skill but also come with unique risks due to the use of heavy tools, hazardous materials, and the potential for product-related injuries. Whether you’re crafting from home, selling at markets, or running an online business, having the right insurance is crucial. Our Woodwork & Furniture Making Insurance is designed to protect you against claims from accidents—like a splinter injury or a collapsed piece of furniture—as well as safeguard your valuable tools, timber, and finished products against fire, theft, or damage. Without proper cover, a single event could seriously impact your livelihood. With our specialised insurance, you can focus on building your business and honing your craft, knowing you’re fully protected.”
Chris Trotman, Protectivity Underwriting Manager

How much does woodwork & furniture making insurance cost?
At Protectivity, insurance for woodworkers starts from just £3.71 per month.
The exact cost will depend on the nature of your craft business. If you work with high-value tools, operate machinery, or create bespoke furniture pieces, you may need higher levels of cover to suit your setup. Each policy is tailored to reflect the risks and requirements of your individual work.
Prices from
£3.71* a month
Explainer quote
Policy cost
£3.71* a month
Policy type
Crafters
Duration
Annual
Turnover
£50,000
Public Liability
£1,000,000
Product Liability
£1,000,000
Equipment
£250
Stock
£250
This example is based on a real quote from our website on 30/5/2025. 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 woodwork & furniture making 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 woodworking-related injuries to myself or employees covered under this policy?
Any woodworking-related injuries to the insured member will not be covered, as Personal Accident is not an available benefit.
If there are Labour only staff members working underneath the business, then the Employers’ Liability benefit would need to be listed on the insurance policy to ensure that the Employer is covered against claims should an Employee or Labour only subcontractor allege that that they are negligible for bodily injury they may suffer whilst in the course of their employment with you
Is insurance required if I’m only selling wooden items occasionally or seasonally?
Even if you are not working full time in the industry, it is always worth purchasing insurance to ensure you are covered for any claims that may arise whilst you are selling your wooden items.
Are losses covered if woodworking items get stolen during events?
Yes, they are, as the Stock benefit will provide cover against accidental damage, loss, or theft of stock owned by you, or for which you are legally liable for.
Can insurance coverage be extended temporarily for large-scale woodworking events?
No, unfortunately not. Should you wish to run an event, where you will be classed as the ‘organiser’ then you will need to generate a One-Off Event insurance quote on our website, or you can purchase cover with a separate provider.
Are woodworking tools left in vehicles overnight covered?
No, as our insurance is not designed to cover for equipment left in an unattended vehicle.
What paperwork or documentation will I receive with my woodworking insurance policy?
The documentation that you will receive once payment has been taken successfully are as follows:
– Statement of Fact
– EL Certificate (if EL cover has been selected)
– Policy Schedule
– Crafters Insurance Policy Wording
– Crafters Insurance IPID
– Status Disclosure
– Receipt
Does this policy cover woodworking classes or courses held in my workspace?
No, this insurance policy would not cover woodworking classes or courses held in your workspace unfortunately.
Are wooden items covered if they get damaged in transit internationally.
Yes, all wooden items will be covered if they get damaged in transit internationally, on the basis that the appropriate region has been selected e.g. stating that goods are sold to different area of the world, including the USA and Canada if appropriate.
Is my business covered if I subcontract woodworking tasks to external artisans?
Yes, but we would only be able to cover on the basis that they are classed as a Labour only and not a Bonafide subcontractor.
Do I need specific insurance for high-value or antique wooden items?
Underneath the Stock benefit, the maximum amount of cover we can provide is up to £3,000. Should your high-value antique wooden items exceed the above amount then you will need to purchase separate &/or additional insurance cover through another provider.
Are my woodworking products covered during exhibitions or gallery displays?
Yes, they are, as the Stock benefit will provide cover against accidental damage, loss, or theft of stock owned by you, or for which you are legally liable for.
Does woodworking insurance provide cover if a fire occurs in my workshop due to machinery use?
No, it does not. The only insured property that will be covered in the event of a fire is Business Equipment or Stock, the building would not be included in this scenario.
What if my woodworking machinery or tools malfunction, causing a delay or cancellation of orders?
If your woodworking machinery or tools malfunction, causing a delay or cancellation of orders then our policy would not cover for this type of scenario unfortunately.
Is my woodworking business covered if I use reclaimed or recycled wood materials?
Yes, but only on the basis that what you are doing would not be considered as Upcycling.
Do woodworking demonstrations or live crafting sessions at events require additional insurance?
No, if you are only providing demonstrations or live crafting sessions during the event then no additional insurance is required.
Are my wooden products insured against damage caused by extreme weather conditions during outdoor events?
Yes, they are, as the Stock benefit will provide cover against accidental damage, loss, or theft of stock owned by you, or for which you are legally liable for.
Is cover provided for injuries caused by woodworking machinery at trade shows?
Yes, injuries would be covered on the basis that the option of Wood & Furniture (Inc Fixed Woodworking Machinery) is selected.
Does this policy cover woodworking activities conducted from a rented workshop or shared workspace?
Yes, it does. The policy will cover the Insured from operating anywhere within the UK.
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 12/5/2025. 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