Ask to see the insurance certificate before any work starts, check the policy is current, and confirm the insurer's name so you can verify it independently. That's the short answer. The longer version — which matters a great deal when you're talking about electrical work specifically — is what this article covers.
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A painter who makes a mistake might leave you with a patchy ceiling. An uninsured electrician who makes a mistake might leave you with a fire, a destroyed consumer unit, failed appliances, or — in the worst cases — a fatality. I'm not saying that to dramatise things; it's just the honest reality of what electricity can do when it goes wrong.
Electrical work also carries regulatory weight that most trades don't. Work covered by Part P of the Building Regulations — which includes most fixed electrical installations in domestic properties — has to be certified as safe. If something goes wrong and the work wasn't done properly or isn't certified, you're potentially looking at insurance voidance on your home policy, problems when you come to sell, or liability issues as a landlord. An uninsured electrician operating outside BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations can leave you holding consequences they've walked away from.
I've been doing this work across the North East for years. The number of times I've been called in to inspect or fix work done by cowboys — and the homeowners have had no recourse whatsoever — is not small.
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There are two non-negotiable ones:
Public Liability Insurance (PLI) covers third-party injury or property damage caused by the tradesperson's work. If your electrician drills through a pipe, cracks a wall, or their work causes a fault that damages your property, PLI is what pays out. Cover levels vary — £1 million is a common minimum, but for larger or more complex jobs (think EV charger installation or full rewires), you'd want to see £2 million or higher. Ask what level of cover the policy carries, not just whether one exists.
Employers Liability Insurance is a legal requirement under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 for any business with employees. If a sole trader genuinely works alone with no employees or subcontractors, this may not apply. But if they turn up with a mate or an apprentice, they must hold it. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can fine businesses up to £2,500 per day for not holding a valid Certificate of Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance. Ask to see it if there's more than one person on site.
A third type worth knowing about is Professional Indemnity Insurance, which covers advice or design errors rather than physical damage. It's less common in general electrical contracting but relevant if you're commissioning design work, commercial projects, or detailed system surveys like an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
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Just ask directly — any legitimate tradesperson will not bat an eyelid. Try something like: "Before we go ahead, can you send me a copy of your current insurance certificate? I ask everyone."
That last part — "I ask everyone" — takes the edge off if you're worried about seeming suspicious. You're not accusing them of anything; it's due diligence, the same as asking for a quote in writing.
Ask for it before any work begins, ideally at the quotation stage. That way, if they can't or won't provide it, you haven't already committed.
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When you receive the certificate, check these things:
If anything looks off — the insurer name is vague, the dates are suspiciously convenient, or the document looks like it was edited in Word — call the insurer directly using a number you find independently (not one the tradesperson gives you) and ask them to confirm the policy is live.
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Any one of these alone should give you pause. Several together — walk away.
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Electricians who are registered with a Competent Person Scheme — primarily NICEIC or NAPIT in the domestic sector — undergo annual assessment, which includes checking insurance. It's not a perfect substitute for reading the certificate yourself, but it's a meaningful shortcut.
You can verify NICEIC registration at niceic.com/find-a-contractor and NAPIT at napit.org.uk — both have public search tools. Registered electricians can self-certify work under Part P Building Regulations without involving Building Control, which is also relevant for landlords needing a Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate.
Other directories worth checking: Which? Trusted Traders and Checkatrade both require proof of insurance for listing, though the rigour of ongoing checks varies. Companies House is useful for confirming a business is legitimately registered. Trading Standards — via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline — can also flag known rogues.
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In short: you carry the risk. If their work causes a fire and there's no PLI, you'll need your own home insurer to pick up the bill — and they may not, particularly if the work was done by someone unqualified or without proper certification. Policies often exclude damage caused by defective workmanship.
You could pursue the individual through the courts, but if they have no assets, that's a time-consuming dead end.
For landlords, the stakes are higher. Uncertified electrical work can put you in breach of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, which require a valid EICR and any remedial work to be done by a qualified person.
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Is a tradesperson legally required to have insurance in the UK?
Not entirely. Public Liability Insurance is not legally compulsory for sole traders in the UK, though many schemes and contracts require it. Employers Liability Insurance is a legal requirement for businesses with employees, under the 1969 Act. Even where it's not legally required, the absence of PLI is a serious risk for you as a client.
How do I know if an electrician's insurance certificate is genuine and not fake?
Cross-reference the insurer's name against the FCA Register independently, then call the insurer using a number from their official website — not from the certificate — and ask them to confirm the policy number is live. It takes five minutes and is the most reliable check available to you.
Does my home insurance cover me if an uninsured electrician causes damage?
Possibly, but not reliably. Your policy may exclude damage caused by defective or unqualified workmanship, especially if the work wasn't certified. Always read your policy terms, and speak to your insurer before commissioning significant electrical work.
Should I ask for insurance documents before or after getting a quote?
Before work starts, but the quote stage is a sensible time to request them. It's natural to ask at the same time as confirming who will be doing the work and what qualifications they hold. It costs you nothing and tells you a lot about how professional the operation is.
Are electricians registered with NICEIC or NAPIT automatically insured?
Not automatically — but scheme registration requires proof of insurance as part of the annual assessment process. It's a strong indicator, but policies can lapse between assessments. It's still worth asking to see the current certificate directly.
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If you're based in the North East and want to work with a fully insured, NICEIC-registered electrician — whether it's a consumer unit replacement, EV charger installation, EICR, or anything else — you're welcome to get in touch with us at [Energy North Ltd](https://energynorth.uk). No hard sell, just honest advice and proper paperwork.