Carpenter and Joiner Insurance

Why does a carpenter need insurance?

As a carpenter, your work is practical, skilled and often carried out in other people’s homes or on busy construction sites. With that comes a level of risk - to your clients, your employees, your tools and your livelihood. That’s where insurance comes in.

Here are a few examples of how the right cover can protect you:

Accidents happen – even to the best

You’re replacing a banister in a customer’s home when your drill slips from your hand and falls onto the wooden flooring, damaging it. The client in this case is entitled to compensation. With public liability insurance, you’re covered. It takes care of the costs so you can stay focused on the job.

Hiring help? You’ll need protection

Business is booming, and you’ve taken on a couple of helping hands. The moment you take someone on you have employees and you’re legally required to have employers’ liability insurance. It covers you if an employee is accidentally injured or falls ill due to the work they do for you.

Your tools are your livelihood

Carpentry relies on specialist tools, and they don’t come cheap. If your equipment is stolen from a van or damaged on-site, tool insurance can help cover the cost of replacements so you’re not left out of pocket.

How much does carpenters’ insurance cost?

Carpenters’ Insurance with AXA costs from  £7* a month.

However, it’s important to remember that there are factors that determine the cost of every individual quote. Some of the following may impact the price you’ll pay:

• Whether you’re a self-employed carpenter or run a larger business.
• The types of covers you choose – adding multiple covers - public liability, tools insurance, contents cover etc will all affect pricing.
• The number of employees you have, since more employees mean a higher chance of workplace accidents.

The easiest way to see how much a policy with us would cost is to get a quote.

^*10% of our customers paid from £7.00 for ten months between January and March 2025 after an initial deposit. Interest applicable. For more details see our terms & conditions.

With AXA, you can pick and choose which covers you need to build a business insurance package that suits your carpentry or joinery work. This way, you’re only ever paying for the protection you actually need.

Here are the main types of cover to consider: 

Public Liability Insurance for carpenters

Public liability insurance is an important cover for carpenters. It protects you if your work accidentally causes injury or property damage to a customer or member of the public.

A few examples of when it can help:

• You’re restoring a garden decking, and your drill bit snaps and breaks the customer’s window – public liability could cover the cost of getting those mistakes sorted.

• A member of the public trips over your tools left on the ground on-site and is injured – this cover helps with legal and compensation costs. 

Van insurance

If you rely on your van to get from site to site or to transport tools and materials, van insurance helps keep your carpentry business moving.

With AXA’s van cover, you’ll get:

• Protection against fire, theft, and accidental damage
• Roadside assistance and accident recovery
• A guaranteed courtesy van while yours is in for repair
• Up to £5,000 personal injury cover for the driver 

Employers’ liability insurance

If you employ anyone, whether it’s a full-time joiner, an apprentice, or even a temporary labourer,  employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement under the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969.

This cover protects your business if an employee gets injured or falls ill because of the work they do for you.

You’ll be covered for:

• Full-time and part-time employees

• Subcontractors or labourers working under your supervision

• Apprentices, volunteers, or those on work placements

• Up to £10 million cover available from AXA

Is public liability insurance required by law for carpenters?

No, public liability isn’t legally required by law (unlike employers’ liability insurance, which is a legal obligation if you have staff.)

However, if you’re a self-employed business person, it makes sense for you to protect your business as best you can. There’s plenty that could go wrong – with accidental injuries or damage caused because of work you do. And in the case of injury to yourself, your staff or someone you’re working for – AXA’s business insurance has got your back.

What insurance do I need as a self-employed carpenter?

As a self-employed carpenter, having the right business insurance is crucial to protect your work and reputation. You’ll need most of the same covers as a limited company, typically including:

• Public Liability Insurance – This covers you if you cause injury or damage while working. For example, if you accidentally damage a client’s property or if someone trips over your tools while you’re working on-site.
• Tools Insurance – If your tools are lost, stolen, or damaged, this cover ensures you don’t have to replace them out of pocket. For instance, if your power tools are stolen from your van overnight, your tools insurance would cover the cost of replacing them.
• Van Insurance – If you use your van to transport tools and materials, this insurance protects against accidents, theft, or damage.

The main difference is that, as a self-employed carpenter, you don’t need employers' liability insurance as you’ll mostly working alone, unless you hire staff or apprentices at a later point.

Get a quote today that’s tailored to your business to ensure you have the cover you need.