How to Check if a Tradesperson is Insured

Hiring an uninsured tradesperson can leave you paying for their mistakes out of your own pocket. Here's how to verify insurance, what coverage you should expect, and how to protect yourself.

Why Insurance Matters

Imagine these scenarios:

• A plumber floods your kitchen while fixing a leak — who pays for the damage?
• An electrician causes a fire that destroys your belongings — are you covered?
• A builder's employee falls on your property and is seriously injured — who's liable?

Without proper insurance, you could be financially responsible. Even if you can sue the tradesperson, many are "man in a van" operators with limited assets — you'd win a judgment but never collect.

Types of Insurance to Check

1. Public Liability Insurance

This is the most important coverage. It protects against:

• Damage to your property caused by the tradesperson
• Damage to neighbouring properties
• Injuries to you, your family, or the public

2. Employer's Liability Insurance

If the tradesperson has any employees (including casual workers, apprentices, or subcontractors they direct), they must have employer's liability insurance. This covers:

• Injuries to employees while working
• Claims brought by injured workers

The minimum required in Ireland is €13 million.

Why does this matter to you? If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you could potentially be drawn into legal action.

3. Professional Indemnity Insurance

This covers design errors and professional negligence. Important for:

• Architects
• Engineers
• Contractors doing design work
• Tradespeople providing professional advice

If a contractor is designing your extension (not just building it), they should have professional indemnity cover.

4. All-Risks/Contractor's All-Risks

For larger projects, this covers damage to the works themselves during construction. It protects against theft, fire, storm damage, vandalism, etc.

How to Verify Insurance

Step 1: Ask for Certificates

Request copies of their insurance certificates. A legitimate tradesperson won't hesitate to provide these. Look for:

• Certificate of insurance (not just a policy number)
• Current validity dates
• Cover amounts
• The insurer's name and contact details

Step 2: Check the Details

When reviewing certificates, verify:

• Dates: Is the policy currently valid?
• Name: Does it match the business name/person you're hiring?
• Cover type: Public liability at minimum
• Amount: Appropriate for your project
• Activities covered: Does it cover the work they're doing for you?

Step 3: Contact the Insurer (If in Doubt)

For major projects, consider calling the insurance company directly to verify the policy is active and covers the work you need done.

Red Flags

• "I'm insured through the main contractor" — Get proof, and verify it covers them as subcontractors
• "My insurance is being renewed" — Ask for proof of renewal or wait until it's active
• "I've never had a claim, so you don't need to worry" — Past luck isn't future protection
• "It's only a small job" — Even small jobs can cause big damage
• Getting defensive when asked — Legitimate tradespeople expect this question

What About Your Home Insurance?

Your home insurance may provide some coverage, but don't rely on it:

• Most policies have exclusions for work done by contractors
• Using uninsured contractors may void your coverage
• Claims can increase your premiums
• There are usually significant excesses (deductibles)

Best practice: Inform your home insurer about significant works, and ensure contractors have their own coverage.

What to Do If Work Goes Wrong

1. Document everything: Photos, videos, dates, written communication
2. Contact the tradesperson: Give them a chance to rectify (in writing)
3. Get independent assessment: Another professional's opinion on the work
4. Check their insurance: You may be able to claim directly
5. Small Claims Court: For claims up to €2,000
6. Legal advice: For larger claims

Trade Registrations That Require Insurance

Some trade registrations verify insurance as part of membership:

Getting It in the Contract

For any significant work, your contract should include:

• Requirement to maintain insurance throughout the project
• Minimum coverage amounts
• Right to request proof at any time
• Confirmation that subcontractors are also insured

Quick Checklist

The Bottom Line

Checking insurance takes five minutes. Dealing with the fallout from uninsured work can take years and cost thousands. Make it a non-negotiable part of your hiring process.

A tradesperson who balks at providing insurance details is telling you something important. Walk away.