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What are the insurance requirements for NAPIT and NICEIC?
Both NAPIT and NICEIC are electrical competent person schemes that certify you to self-assess and sign off electrical work in England and Wales. To join, and crucially to stay registered, you need to hold the following types of insurance:
| NAPIT | NICEIC |
Public Liability Insurance | £2,000,000 | £2,000,000 |
Professional Indemnity Insurance | £250,000 | £250,000* |
Employers Liability Insurance | Mandatory if you have employees | Mandatory if you have employees |
*Required if you undertake periodic inspections and issue EICRs within your scope of certification.
It’s worth noting that Employers' Liability Insurance is a legal requirement under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, regardless of your scheme membership. So if you employ anyone, even temporarily, you are legally required to hold the cover. You can find out more here.
Some larger contracts or commercial clients may ask for higher limits on Public Liability. You'll need to check your contract requirements alongside your scheme obligations.
Why do I need insurance?
NAPIT and NICEIC both require proof of adequate Public Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance as part of their registration and annual assessment process. Without it, your membership can be suspended or revoked.
Beyond the scheme requirements, Public Liability Insurance is there to protect you if something goes wrong on site. If a customer trips over your tools and breaks a wrist, or you accidentally damage a property while working, a claim can run into the thousands. Find out more here.
Professional Indemnity Insurance protects against claims of negligence or mistakes in your professional services, covering any legal costs and potential damages. Take a deep-dive here.
How much does NAPIT and NICEIC insurance cost?
Here at Rhino, Public Liability Insurance for electricians starts from £62.50 a year - that's just over a fiver a month. Professional Indemnity Insurance starts from £60.00 a year, and Employers' Liability Insurance is also available from £62.50 a year if you need it.
Your premium can vary depending on your trade, turnover, and the level of cover you choose. The quickest way to find out what you'll pay is to get a quote - it takes less than two minutes.
Why choose Rhino for your electrician's insurance?
We specialise in trade insurance, which means we understand what electricians actually need. Our policies are designed for sole traders and small businesses working in the trades, not corporate contractors with a fleet and a facilities manager.
You can get a quote, buy online, and download your certificate on the same day. That means you can submit proof of insurance to NAPIT or NICEIC without delay. And if you need to make a change to your policy, our team is on hand to help.
What does Public Liability Insurance cover?
Rhino's Public Liability Insurance covers you for accidental bodily injury to a third party and accidental damage to third-party property arising from your work. Legal costs are included. Key features include:
Cover for injury to customers, members of the public, and visitors on site
Accidental damage to client property while you're working
Legal defence costs in the event of a claim
Product liability for damage caused by goods you supply
What doesn't Public Liability Insurance cover?
Injury to your own employees (you'll need Employers' Liability Insurance for that)
Damage to tools or equipment you own (Tools Cover handles this)
Deliberate or criminal acts
Property in your own care, custody, or control
Work that falls outside the trade description on your policy
Claims examples
Property damage: An electrician is rewiring a kitchen and accidentally drills through a water pipe hidden behind a wall. The resulting flood damages the flooring, cabinets, and the ceiling below. The customer makes a claim for repair costs. Public Liability Insurance covers the cost.
Third-party injury: A customer steps on a screwdriver left on the floor of a hallway during a first-fix job and sprains their ankle. They pursue a personal injury claim. The policy covers legal costs and any damages awarded.
NAPIT & NICEIC Insurance FAQs
NAPIT requires Public Liability Insurance with a minimum limit of £2 million and Professional Indemnity Insurance with a minimum limit of £250,000. If you employ any staff, Employers' Liability Insurance is also required by law.
NICEIC requires a minimum of £2 million Public Liability Insurance and £250,000 Professional Indemnity Insurance if you undertake periodic inspections and issue EICRs within your scope of certification. You'll need to provide proof of all policies at your enrolment assessment and at each annual inspection. Employers Liability Insurance is also required if you employ staff.
Professional Indemnity Insurance covers you if a client suffers a financial loss because of a mistake or oversight in your professional advice or design work. For electricians, this could mean an error in a wiring design or specification that leads to a costly rectification job. Both NAPIT and NICEIC require a minimum of £250,000 of cover.
Public Liability Insurance for electricians starts from £62.50 a year here at Rhino. Your exact price depends on your turnover, the nature of your work, and the level of cover you choose.
It covers accidental injury to third parties and accidental damage to their property arising from your work, along with the legal costs of defending a claim. It does not cover injury to employees (that's Employers' Liability) or damage to your own tools and equipment.
If you employ anyone, including casual or temporary workers and labour-only subcontractors, you're legally required to hold Employers' Liability Insurance. This applies regardless of your scheme membership.
Yes. Buy your policy online with Rhino, and you can download your certificate of insurance immediately - ready to submit to NAPIT or NICEIC right away.
Both schemes require continuous, valid insurance cover. If your policy lapses and you can't provide proof of cover at assessment, your registration can be suspended until cover is reinstated.
If you're registered with NAPIT or NICEIC and can't provide proof of valid insurance at your annual assessment, your membership can be suspended. That means you'd lose the ability to self-certify electrical work, which, for most registered electricians, would bring jobs to a halt.
Operating without Public Liability Insurance also leaves you personally liable for any claims made against you. A single claim for property damage or personal injury could cost far more than a year's worth of premiums.
