How quickly can I get covered?

Most tradesmen receive a tailored quote within hours of their initial consultation. Once you’re happy with the policy, activation is fast with immediate certificate provision so you can get on site without delays.

Do you only serve Cumbrian businesses?

While our offices are in Carlisle and Kendal, we cover the whole of Cumbria and beyond. Our local presence means personal service, but our expertise serves tradesmen across the UK.

What happens if I need to claim?

Your dedicated claims handler guides you through the entire process. No call centres or starting from scratch with someone new - direct contact with someone who knows your policy and business. It’s claims handling the way it should be.

How much will my tradesman insurance cost?

Premiums start as low as £80 including IPT and fees for basic cover. Your actual tradesman insurance cost depends on your trade, turnover, employee numbers, and the covers you need. We provide instant quote consultations so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Is employers liability insurance required?

If you employ staff (even casually) employers liability insurance is a legal requirement in the UK. You need a minimum cover of £5 million (though we typically recommend higher), and failing to have it can result in fines up to £2,500 per day. We ensure you’re compliant while getting competitive rates.

Tradesman Insurance, Without the Hassle

Straightforward, reliable cover from a trusted tradesman insurance broker in Carlisle, protecting your tools, your work, and your livelihood without the jargon.

Request a quote

Tradesman Insurance

Our Tradesman policies can cater for sole traders just needing public liability cover with a few tools to 100+ employee businesses encompassing liabilities, stock, professional indemnity, buildings, hired in plant and much more.

up to £25m liability limits
All covers on one policy
Tools in van overnight cover
Option to remove height, depth and hot works restrictions
Premiums start as low as £80 including IPT and fees

If you would like a quote, please get in touch with one of our sales team on 01228 586231.

What do our customers say...

"Excellent. Nothing is too much trouble."

Richard Waugh - Geltside Electrical Services Ltd

"Professional service with a personal touch."

Martin Scott - T& S Air Conditioning

Finally, a Tradesman Insurance Broker Built for Real Businesses

If you’ve ever tried getting insurance quotes online, you’ll know the frustration. Comparison sites push generic policies, call centres keep you waiting, and few understand the difference between a gas engineer and an electrician.

Based in Carlisle and supporting trades across Cumbria and the UK, we set out to change that. We’re a tradesman insurance broker that speaks plain English, understands the real risks of your trade, and actually picks up the phone when you call. That means cover built around how you work, not a one-size-fits-all policy with gaps.

Whether you need public liability to meet contract requirements or a more comprehensive policy covering tools, stock, professional indemnity, and hired plant, we tailor your insurance to fit your business, without the usual broker runaround.

Why RAW’s Tradesman Insurance Service Works

Here’s what makes working with us different from everything else on the market:

150+ Years Combined Team Experience

Every team member has a minimum of 15 years industry experience, meaning you’re dealing with genuine insurance experts who understand the construction industry and popular trades inside out

Dedicated Personal Claims Handler

If you need to make a claim, your very own claims contact guides you through the whole process; no call centres, no explaining your situation to a different person each time

All Covers on One Policy

Public liability cover, employers liability cover, tools insurance, professional indemnity, and additional cover all combined into a single, easy to manage tradesman insurance policy.

Jargon-Free Advice

We explain your options in plain English so you actually understand what you’re buying and why you need it

Tradesman Insurance by Profession

Different trades face different risks. A plumber dealing with water systems has different exposures than an electrician working with power tools and wiring. We provide profession-specific tradesman cover that addresses the unique hazards of your work.

Builders Insurance

Comprehensive coverage for construction risks, including contract works cover, plant cover, and protection for work at commercial locations and residential sites.

Plumbers Insurance

Specialist protection against water damage claims, burst pipes, and the specific risks that come with repairing water systems and emergency call-outs.

Electricians Insurance

Coverage designed for electrical work, including professional indemnity insurance for advice and testing responsibilities, plus liability insurance for fire or property damage risks.

HVAC Engineers Insurance

Specialist cover for heating, ventilation and air conditioning work, including equipment risks, on-site liability, and protection for installation and maintenance jobs.

Painter & Decorators Insurance

Cover against property damage, chemical risks, and the hazards of working at height with ladders and scaffolding.

Self Employed Tradesman Insurance

Flexible insurance for tradesmen who handle multiple types of work, providing the same level of protection as trade-specific policies with added versatility.

Tradesman Insurance by Policy Feature

Understanding what each policy protects helps you build the right safety net for your trade business. Here’s what different covers do and why they matter.

Public Liability Insurance

Essential third-party protection covering injury to the general public or property damage caused by your work.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Covers legal claims arising from professional advice or services that cause financial loss to clients.

Tools Insurance

Protection for your specialist tools and power tools against theft, loss, or damage.

Personal Accident Insurance

Provides financial support if accidents leave you unable to work.

How Getting Covered Works

Getting the right insurance doesn’t require complexity. Our process is designed to take the hassle out of protecting your tradesman business.

1

Quick Business Assessment

We start with a simple consultation to understand your trade and specific risks. Whether you’re repairing water systems as a plumber, working on site as a builder, or handling electrical installations, we discuss your current work patterns, the jobs you take on, and your future business plans.

2

Tailored Quote Preparation

Our expert team analyses multiple insurers to find the best fit for your trade. We assemble a custom policy with only the covers you actually need, no padding with unnecessary extras or gaps that leave you exposed. This tailored cover approach means you’re not paying for protection you’ll never use.

3

Implementation and Ongoing Support

Once you’re happy with your quote, we provide fast policy activation with immediate policy documentation and certificates. You get a dedicated contact for any questions or claims throughout the policy term; someone who knows your business and can help without you starting from scratch each time.

Who Our Tradesman Insurance Is For

RAW’s tradesman insurance is ideal for:

Sole Traders needing basic public liability cover up to £25 million to meet contract requirements and protect against accidents
Growing Businesses requiring comprehensive packages including tools cover, van insurance, and contract works insurance
Established Companies with employees needing employers liability insurance (a legal requirement), professional indemnity, and complex multi-risk policies
Any Tradesman who wants to speak to real insurance experts rather than navigating automated online quotes alone

If you want tailored insurance that actually fits your business activities, built by people who understand the risks of your trade, this was built for you.

Proof Our Approach Works

Results speak louder than claims, and when tradesmen face accidents, property damage, or legal claims, having the right broker makes all the difference.

Our clients stay with us because they experience the difference firsthand:

Personal service that remembers who you are and what you do
Claims handled efficiently by someone who actually cares about the outcome
Advice that prevents coverage gaps before they become expensive problems
Competitive premiums starting as low as £80 including IPT and fees

When a roofer faces a public liability claim after an accident on site, or when an electrician needs professional indemnity cover for a disputed installation, having an expert team in your corner changes everything. Our dedicated claims handlers have guided countless tradesmen through complex situations, from tool theft claims to significant third-party legal costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brokers like RAW access insurance markets that comparison sites can’t reach. We match coverage to your specific risks rather than offering generic policies, often securing better terms and saving 15-25% compared to direct purchases. More importantly, we provide expert advice that prevents coverage gaps, something no comparison site can do.