A self-employed tiler working alone isn't legally required to have insurance, but most customers expect public liability insurance, usually with £1 million or £2 million of cover. One insurer's 2026 data shows the cheapest 10% of tilers paid £78.10 a year or less for it.
If you employ anyone, even an apprentice, employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement, with at least £5 million of cover. Being uninsured can mean a fine of £2,500 for every day.
One cracked basin, flooded ceiling or customer tripping over your tile cutter can cost far more than a year's work. Insurance is one of the first things to sort out when you go self-employed, and it's a cost to build into your day rate.
Is insurance a legal requirement for tilers?
| Cover | Legally required? |
|---|---|
| Public liability | No, but most customers and contractors expect it |
| Employers' liability | Yes, if you employ anyone (with a few exceptions, below) |
| Van insurance | Yes, if you drive a van, and it must cover business use |
| Tools, contract works, personal accident and others | No, optional |
Public liability insurance
Public liability covers you if your work injures someone or damages their property. For a tiler that might be a leak behind new tiles damaging the ceiling below, a dropped tile cracking a bath, or a customer tripping over your tools.
It isn't a legal requirement, but many homeowners ask for it, and contractors and commercial clients usually insist on it. Common limits are £1 million, £2 million, £5 million and £10 million. Of Simply Business's tiler customers, 90% chose £1 million and 10% chose £2 million. If you work for contractors or on commercial jobs, check what limit they need before you quote.
Public liability usually doesn't pay to put right your own workmanship, such as relaying tiles that have lifted. Check what your policy covers.
Employers' liability insurance
If you employ anyone, including an apprentice or a labourer, you must have employers' liability insurance by law. It covers claims from your employees if they're injured or become ill because of their work.
- Cover must be at least £5 million, from an FCA-regulated insurer. Many policies include £10 million as standard.
- Being uninsured can mean a fine of £2,500 for every day without cover.
- Not displaying your certificate, or not showing it to an inspector when asked, can mean a £1,000 fine.
- You don't need it if you aren't a limited company and only employ immediate family members.
Whether a subcontractor counts as an employee for insurance depends on how you work together, such as who supplies the tools and who controls the work. If you're unsure, ask your insurer or broker.
Other cover tilers often take
| Cover | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Tools insurance | Theft or damage to your cutters, mixers, levels and power tools. Check the rules for tools left in a van overnight. |
| Contract works | The work you've done, and materials on site, until the job is handed over. |
| Personal accident | An income if you're injured and can't work. |
| Legal expenses | Legal costs, for example in a payment dispute with a customer. |
| Hired-in plant | Equipment you hire, such as floor grinders or mixers. |
| Commercial van | Your van, insured for business use. |
How much does tiler insurance cost?
Prices depend on your turnover, the work you do, where you're based, the cover limit and the excess. Two published figures give a rough idea:
| Figure | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest 10% of tilers, public liability up to £2m | £78.10 a year or less | Simply Business customers, January–June 2026 |
| Average UK small business, public liability | about £118 a year | NimbleFins, all small businesses |
Employers' liability, tools and other cover add to the price. Get quotes from a few insurers or a broker, and compare what's covered and the excess, not just the price.
Build insurance into your prices
Insurance is a business cost, like your van and tools, so it belongs in your day rate. Add your yearly premiums to your other costs in the day rate calculator, or see how to work out your day rate. If you're just starting out, our guide on how to become a tiler covers the other first steps.
Sources
- Compare the Market: Business insurance for tilers · types of cover, legal requirements and employers' liability penalties
- RBKC: Employers' liability compulsory insurance · council guidance; £5 million minimum, public liability voluntary
- Simply Business: Tilers insurance · covers listed for tilers; prices and limits from its customers, January–June 2026
- NimbleFins: Public liability insurance UK · average small business public liability cost and common limits
Prices change. Figures were checked on 24 October 2026; always check current costs and your own figures before quoting.