Find a specialist trade insurance broker
Trade cover is priced on the detail of what you do — your trade, work activities, tools and claims history. CoverBroker matches you with a broker who places trade risks daily, so your renewal is negotiated properly instead of auto-renewed.
Free, no obligation — you don't pay a fee to be matched.
How we match your trade risk
The right trade insurance broker depends on the detail of your work. When you submit an enquiry we ask about your trade, activities and claims history, then match on the criteria below.
Trade and work activities
Builders, electricians, plumbers, plasterers, landscapers and tradespeople — we match you with brokers who place your trade every day.
Hot works, height and subcontractors
Underwriters load premium on heat tools, work at height and subbies. The right broker presents these accurately so the price holds.
Contract values and turnover
Brokers who size your indemnity limit and tools cover to your contract values and turnover — not a one-size-fits-all figure.
Claims history and excess
Brokers who frame your claims history honestly and negotiate an excess you can carry, so a claim isn't a cashflow problem.
Your documents are safe
Upload your current trade policy schedule, statement of fact or renewal invitation. Here is exactly how they are handled.
Secure storage
Your trade insurance documents are encrypted at rest and shared only with your matched broker.
GDPR-ready
UK & EU data protection. You can delete your documents at any time.
No obligation
Free to use. If the broker cannot improve on your current terms, you simply stay where you are.
Trade insurance questions
- What insurance does a tradesman need?
- Most tradespeople need public liability as a minimum — many clients and main contractors require proof before you can start. Add employers' liability if you employ anyone (a legal requirement), plus tools cover, van insurance and possibly professional indemnity if you design or advise. A trade insurance broker packages these so there are no gaps between policies.
- What is a trade insurance broker?
- A trade insurance broker specialises in placing cover for tradespeople and contractors — builders, electricians, plumbers, plasterers, landscapers and the rest. They present your work activities, tools, contract values and claims history to the underwriters who actually price trade risks, many of whom never appear on comparison sites.
- Why use a trade insurance broker instead of a comparison site?
- Trade premiums are loaded on the detail of what you do: hot works, working at height, subcontractors, tools cover and contract size. A broker who places trade risks every day describes your work accurately so the price holds, and can negotiate the excess and endorsements around how you actually operate. Comparison sites often default to worst-case assumptions that inflate the quote.
- Do I need trade insurance if I'm a sole trader?
- Many sole traders and subcontractors are required to hold public liability and tools cover by clients, contractors or trade bodies before they can start work. Even where it isn't mandatory, a single incident — a dropped tool, a damaged floor, a stolen van — can cost more than a year's revenue. A broker places cover sized to the jobs you actually take on.
- What documents help a trade insurance broker quote accurately?
- Your current policy schedule, statement of fact and renewal invitation. If you have them, a claims history summary and any contract requirements or indemnity limits you must meet help too. Upload whatever you have — your matched broker will tell you if anything else is needed.
- Is the introduction and AI review free?
- Yes. The introduction to a specialist trade insurance broker and the optional AI review of your current policy are both free. If a broker takes your enquiry forward, they may pay us a referral fee.
Looking for a related specialist? See our public liability insurance broker and construction insurance broker pages.
Get a trade insurance broker quoting on your renewal
Upload your schedule or statement of fact and we'll introduce you to a specialist trade insurance broker — with an optional free AI review of your current cover.