Plumber insurance that keeps your business flowing

As soon as you start carrying out plumbing work for clients. Even a single job carries risk — a burst pipe, a leak, or an accidental damage claim can happen on any job, regardless of your experience. Cover should be in place before you start any work, particularly given the potential cost of water damage claims.

Public liability insurance itself isn't a legal requirement. However, if you carry out gas work, Gas Safe registration is a separate legal requirement. Many clients — particularly letting agents, housing associations, and commercial clients — will also require proof of public liability insurance before allowing any work to begin. Having cover in place is an essential part of operating professionally as a plumber.

It covers compensation claims and legal fees if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your plumbing work. Common examples include a pipe joint failing after installation causing flooding to a client's property, a client slipping on water left on the floor during a job, or accidental damage to a client's fixtures or fittings while carrying out work. It covers both the compensation payment and your legal costs, even if a claim turns out to be unfounded.

Public liability insurance covers claims from members of the public — it doesn't cover claims from your own employees (that's employers' liability), the cost of redoing faulty work itself (you'd need professional indemnity for broader protection), or damage to your own tools and equipment. Always check your policy wording carefully to understand exactly what's included.

Yes — if water damage to a client's property results from your work, public liability insurance will cover the cost of the resulting claim, including repairs and any consequential losses. This is one of the most common types of claim for plumbers, making it one of the most important reasons to have cover in place before you start any job.

Yes — if you carry out any gas work, Gas Safe registration is a legal requirement separate from insurance. Public liability insurance covers your liability to third parties, while Gas Safe registration demonstrates your competence to work safely with gas. Both are essential — clients and letting agents will routinely ask for evidence of both before allowing work to begin.

The right level depends on the nature of your work and your clients' requirements. Standard cover starts at £1 million, but commercial clients, letting agents, and local authorities will often require a minimum of £2 million or £5 million. Given the potential cost of significant water damage claims, higher cover levels are well worth considering. Check your contract requirements before selecting your cover level.

Yes — business insurance is an allowable expense, which means you can deduct the cost when calculating your taxable profit. Make sure you keep your policy documents and receipts as records for HMRC. If you're unsure, speak to your accountant.

Yes — you'll receive proof of cover instantly when your policy is in place, which you can share with clients and letting agents straight away. If you also take out employers' liability cover, a Certificate of Employers' Liability will be issued immediately for display at your premises.

We've been arranging insurance for over 50 years — now trading as insurd — and we're authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Register Number: 308508), and over a thousand real customers have shared their experiences with us on Trustpilot.

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