TALK TO AN EXPERT
Our team of experts are available to talk to Mon-Fri 08.30-17.30 and Sat 10.00-14.00
Last updated: 30/12/2025
As an electrician, you understand the importance of providing safe and reliable electrical services. However, even with the best precautions, accidents can happen. From accidental property damage to injuries involving members of the public, a single incident could result in costly claims.
That’s where Electricians Public Liability Insurance comes in. It protects you against the unexpected, so you can focus on getting the job done without the worry of “what ifs”.
What Is Electricians Public Liability Insurance?
Electricians Public Liability Insurance is a specific type of insurance cover designed for electricians and electrical contractors if they cause injury to a third party or damage to third-party property as a result of their work and are found to be at fault.
This cover helps protect you and your business from potentially significant financial losses and legal complications that could arise from everyday risks associated with electrical work.
Electricians Public Liability Insurance covers the legal expenses involved in defending a claim, including hiring a lawyer, court fees, and other related costs. Additionally, it provides coverage for any compensation or settlement amounts that may be awarded to the claimant.
The protection extends to various situations that may arise during your work as an electrician, such as accidental damage to a client's property, personal injury to a client or third party, or even financial loss resulting from your work.
Why do electricians need Public Liability Insurance?
This insurance covers the legal costs involved in defending a claim and any compensation or settlement amounts that may be awarded.
While Public Liability Insurance isn’t a legal requirement, electrical work involves risks no matter how experienced or careful you are. Accidents can result in injuries or property damage - and without cover, you could be personally responsible for the costs.
Reasons electricians should consider Public Liability Insurance include:
Risk Management
Electrical work often takes place in high-risk environments. Public Liability Insurance transfers the financial risk of accidents and claims away from you and onto your insurer.
Client Confidence
Many clients, contractors, and site managers require electricians to hold Public Liability Insurance before allowing work to begin. Having cover in place demonstrates professionalism and reassures clients that their property is protected.
Financial Protection
Without insurance, legal fees, compensation payments, and repair costs can quickly add up. Public Liability Insurance helps protect your cash flow and long-term financial stability.
Safeguards your hard-earned reputation
Accidents and mishaps can harm your professional reputation, even if you are not at fault. With Public Liability Insurance, you can address and resolve claims promptly, demonstrating your commitment to your client's well-being and ensuring that your reputation remains intact. This can be invaluable in maintaining and attracting new clients who seek trustworthy and responsible electricians.
Helps comply with contracts and grow your business
Having Electricians Public Liability Insurance can help you comply with contractual requirements set by clients, particularly larger organisations and government entities. Many clients require electricians to have this insurance protection as a prerequisite for working with them. By having the proper insurance in place, you can meet these contractual obligations and enhance your business opportunities.
What Does Electricians Public Liability Insurance Cover?
Cover can vary depending on the policy, but Electricians Public Liability Insurance typically includes the following key areas:
Third-Party Property Damage
Electrical work often involves working on clients' properties and handling their valuable assets. Accidental damage to property can occur during installations, repairs, or maintenance work. With Electricians Public Liability Insurance, you are protected against claims for property damage caused by your business activities. This insurance will pay for the cost of repairs or replacements, curtailing the financial impact on your business.
Bodily Injury
Electrical work carries inherent risks, especially when working in occupied properties or public areas. If a customer, visitor, or member of the public is injured due to your work, Electricians Public Liability Insurance can cover compensation claims, medical costs, rehabilitation expenses and associated legal fees.
Legal Defence
If a claim is made against you, Electricians Public Liability Insurance covers the legal costs involved in defending the claim. The expenses associated with hiring a solicitor, court fees, and other legal proceedings can be overwhelming. Having this insurance ensures that you have access to professional legal assistance without incurring substantial out-of-pocket expenses.
Financial Protection
Accidents happen, and even a small mistake during electrical work can lead to significant property damage or injury. Without Public Liability Insurance, you would be personally liable for fronting the costs of these claims, which can be substantial and potentially devastating to your business. Electricians Public Liability Insurance provides you with the financial protection you need to safeguard your business assets and maintain its financial stability.
Additional Cover Options
At Rhino Trade Insurance, electricians can build a complete insurance package tailored to their business. Additional cover options include Employers’ Liability Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Income Protection, Tools Insurance, and more.
If you’re unsure what cover you need, we've put together our Public Liability Insurance Ultimate Guide, or our team is on hand throughout the week to talk through your options – just give us a call on 0116 243 7904.
What Doesn’t Electricians Public Liability Insurance Cover?
Whilst Public Liability Insurance protects you against third-party injuries and property damage, there are some important exclusions to be aware of:
Injuries to you or your employees
Public Liability Insurance does not cover injuries to yourself or anyone working for you.
If you employ staff, you are legally required to have Employers’ Liability Insurance, which protects you if an employee claims their injury or illness was caused by their work.
Damage to your own tools or equipment
If your tools are lost, stolen, or damaged, Public Liability Insurance won’t cover the cost of replacing them. To protect your kit, you’ll need a dedicated Tools Insurance policy.
Poor workmanship or faulty work
Public Liability Insurance doesn’t cover claims related to faulty workmanship, design errors, or work that hasn’t been completed to an acceptable standard. This includes situations where work needs to be redone.
Intentional damage
Any damage caused deliberately will not be covered under a Public Liability policy.
Work you’re not qualified or insured to carry out
If a claim arises from work you’re not properly trained, qualified, or insured to do, it’s unlikely to be covered. It’s vital that your policy accurately reflects the type of electrical work you carry out to avoid being underinsured.
Is It a Legal Requirement in the UK?
Public Liability Insurance is not a legal requirement for electricians in the UK. However, many contracts - particularly with councils, housing associations, and commercial clients - will require a specific level of cover.
Without it, you could be in breach of contract and left financially exposed if a claim is made against you.
How Much Cover Do Electricians Need?
Rhino Trade Insurance offers Public Liability cover from £1 million up to £5 million. However, the level of cover you need depends entirely on the type of electrical work you carry out and who you work for.
For example, if you’re a one man band and you work solely on domestic properties, you may need between £1 million and £2 million of cover. However, if you work for local councils or are seeking large contracts, the likelihood is that you’d need a minimum of £2 million worth of cover. The same can be said for Competent Person Schemes such as NAPIT and NICEIC (more on that below).
If you’re unsure what level is right for you, our expert team is happy to help - just call 0116 243 7904.
How Much Insurance Do NAPIT and NICEIC Members Need?
If you’re a registered electrician, being part of a Competent Persons Scheme such as NAPIT or NICEIC comes with specific insurance requirements that you must meet to remain compliant.
Insurance Requirements for NAPIT Members
NAPIT members are required to hold:
- A minimum of £2 million Public Liability Insurance
- At least £250,000 Professional Indemnity Insurance
Public Liability Insurance protects you if your work causes injury or property damage, while Professional Indemnity Insurance covers claims relating to advice, design, or specification errors - something that’s particularly important for electricians signing off work or issuing certification.
Insurance Requirements for NICEIC Members
All NICEIC-certified businesses must have:
- A minimum of £2 million Public Liability Insurance
This ensures you’re financially protected if a claim is made against you due to injury or property damage arising from your electrical work.
Making Sure You’re Properly Covered
If you’re a member of NAPIT, NICEIC, or planning to join, it’s essential that your insurance meets these minimum requirements - otherwise you could risk non-compliance or removal from the scheme.
At Rhino Trade Insurance, we regularly help electricians arrange cover that meets NAPIT and NICEIC standards, including combining Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance where required.
If you’re unsure whether your current policy meets scheme requirements, our team is happy to check for you - just give us a call on 0116 243 7904.
Why Choose Rhino Trade Insurance?
At Rhino Trade Insurance, we understand the unique challenges faced by electricians and the potential consequences of accidents or mishaps. Our Electricians Public Liability Insurance is specifically tailored to meet the needs of electricians and keep you content with the knowledge you are covered.
Rhino Trade Insurance are a specialist insurance provider focussed solely on the trades. Unlike other insurance providers who dip their fingers in many pies, insuring the trades is our sole focus allowing us to truly understand the risks electricians face day to day.
Our expertise has been recognised across the industry with multiple victories at the Insurance Times Awards in 2022 and 2024 coupled with over 4,000 five-star reviews from tradespeople just like you who have used and recognised our service and offerings.
You can speak to a member of our team to help get your business covered by calling 0116 243 7904 or get a quote online in just a few clicks. And if you want to know more about us and how we can help protect your business, there’s some more info below.
Public Liability Insurance provides cover for property damage or accidental injury caused to a third party as a result of your business operations. Whether it's accidental damage to a client's property or injury caused by faulty electrical work, our insurance (depending on your limit) will cover the costs associated with legal claims, medical expenses, and property repairs. At Rhino, you can decide on the right limit for your business ranging from £1 million to £5 million.
We understand that no two electricians are alike, and their insurance needs may vary. That's why we offer tailored protection options that are bespoke to fit your exact needs. You can be a sole trader or run a larger electrical contracting business; we'll design a plan that suits your needs and budget.
If a liability claim transpires, our Electricians Public Liability Insurance offers legal defence coverage. We understand that legal proceedings can be costly, time-consuming, and stressful. With our insurance, you'll have the necessary resources to hire legal experts and protect your business's interests.
Depending on your specific electrical business requirements, you have the option to add additional insurance protection to your Electricians Public Liability Insurance policy. These can include cover for Personal Accident Insurance, Tools Insurance, Employers Liability Insurance, Legal Expenses Insurance and much more. Ask one of our trade insurance experts when you call for a quote about your options for extra cover.
In the event of a claim, it's crucial to have a smooth and efficient claims process. Our team of experts is dedicated to handling claims promptly, ensuring that you receive the support you need when you need it most. We strive to minimise disruptions to your business and resolve claims in a fair and transparent manner.
We believe that obtaining reliable insurance shouldn't be a financial burden for electricians. That's why we offer amazing pricing options to ensure that our Electricians Public Liability Insurance remains accessible to businesses of all sizes. We'll work with you so that you receive a policy that delivers adequate cover at a price that fits your budget.
Electricians Public Liability Insurance is a vital part of protecting your business, reputation, and livelihood.
Frequently Asked Questions – Electricians Public Liability Insurance
Public Liability Insurance isn’t legally required, but it’s often essential for contract work. Without it, you’d be responsible for the cost of property damage or injuries caused to third parties.
Cover with Rhino starts from £62.50 for £1m, with prices varying based on:
- Number of workers
- Annual turnover
- Level of cover
- Type of electrical work
- Injury to third parties
- Damage to customer or third-party property
- Legal defence and compensation costs
- Claims arising from your electrical work
- Faulty workmanship
- Employee injuries (requires Employers’ Liability)
- Tool theft or damage (requires Tools Insurance)
- Design or professional advice errors (requires Professional Indemnity)
Yes. It’s suitable for self-employed electricians, sole traders, and contractors.
Not legally, but most contractors won’t hire subcontractors without it.
Absolutely. Our online quote system can provide a price in as little as 30 seconds, and cover can often start the same day.
