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If you're operating as a PAT tester — whether full-time, part-time, or as part of a wider business — proper insurance isn't optional. It's the difference between a manageable bad day and a financially catastrophic one.
This post covers what insurance every PAT tester needs, why you can't skip it, how much it costs, and what happens if you don't have it.
What insurance do PAT testers need?
Four types of insurance matter:
Public Liability Insurance
The mandatory one. If you damage a client's property or injure someone while on site, public liability covers the claim.
What it covers:
- Property damage you cause (knocked over equipment, damaged electrics)
- Injury to third parties (client staff, bystanders)
- Legal costs of defending a claim
What it doesn't cover:
- Your own injuries (that's Employers' Liability)
- Damage to your own equipment or vehicle
- Claims arising from work you didn't carry out properly (that's Professional Indemnity)
Cost: £150-300/year for most PAT testers.
Employers' Liability Insurance
Required by law if you have employees or even regular subcontractors. Covers injury to your staff while working.
What it covers:
- Injury to your employees from an accident at work
- Illness caused by work conditions
- Legal costs and compensation payouts
What it doesn't cover:
- Injury to the people you're testing for (that's Public Liability)
- Claims arising from poor workmanship (that's Professional Indemnity)
Cost: £100-200/year if you have employees.
If you're operating solo (no employees or subs), you technically don't need this legally, but some clients ask for it anyway.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
The one most testers forget about until it's too late. Covers claims that your testing was negligent or inadequate.
What it covers:
- You missed a fault that later causes injury or damage
- Your certification was wrong or misleading
- Your test results didn't meet standards or regulations
- Legal defence and compensation costs
What it doesn't cover:
- Damage you directly caused (that's Public Liability)
- Injury to people (that's Public Liability or Employers' Liability)
Cost: £200-500/year depending on turnover.
This is the one that matters most to PAT testers because your core liability isn't "I broke something", it's "I certified something as safe when it wasn't".
Tools and Equipment Insurance
Optional but valuable. Covers theft or damage to your PAT tester, calibration equipment, laptop, etc.
What it covers:
- Theft from your vehicle or premises
- Accidental damage (dropped PAT tester, water damage, electrical surge)
- Loss or damage in transit
Cost: £40-80/year depending on equipment value.
The real cost breakdown for a typical PAT tester
Assuming you're operating as a solo self-employed tester:
- Public Liability: £150-250/year
- Professional Indemnity: £250-400/year
- Tools & Equipment: £60-80/year
- Total annual insurance: £460-730/year
That's £9-14/week to be properly covered. Missing any of these is penny-wise, pound-foolish.
Why you absolutely need Professional Indemnity
The scenario: you test 50 office computers and miss a dodgy extension lead that causes a fire 6 months later. Your client's insurer investigates and finds your test report. Two things happen:
1. Your client's insurer sues you for the cost of the damage and business interruption (easily £50,000+)
2. Your Professional Indemnity insurance covers your defence and pays the claim
Without Professional Indemnity, you're personally liable. That's a life-altering event.
With it, you have a claim paid and you move on.
The math on Professional Indemnity is brutal in its clarity: £250-400/year to avoid a £50,000+ liability exposure. That's not insurance, that's a business essential.
What happens if you don't have insurance
Legally
You're breaking the law if you claim to be a PAT tester without Public Liability (HASWA 1974 and the PUWER require duty of care, which insurance backs up).
Insurance-wise
Your client's insurance might refuse to cover property damage if the PAT testing was done without evidence of your insurance.
Client-wise
Professional clients (schools, larger businesses, property management companies) require insurance as a condition of hiring. No insurance = no work from professional clients.
Financially
One claim without insurance ruins you. A £30,000 negligence claim without Professional Indemnity is a bankruptcy trigger.
How much Professional Indemnity costs (and why prices vary)
Solo PAT tester: £250-350/year (most common quote range)
Multi-tester operation (2-3 staff): £350-500/year
High-volume operation (4+ staff or 200+ test visits/month): £500-1,000+/year
Prices are driven by:
- Annual turnover (higher turnover = higher premium)
- Type of clients (HMOs attract premium pricing)
- Claims history (clean history = better rates)
- Years in business (newer businesses pay more)
New testers expect to pay 10-20% more until they have 2-3 years of claims-free history.
Getting insured: where to buy
Insurance brokers specialising in trades
Examples: Tradesman Insurance, Business Insurance, Contractors' Insurance firms
Pros:
- Understand PAT testing and its specific risks
- Can get combined policies (Liability + Indemnity together)
- May have group discounts if you're part of a professional body
Cons:
- May be slightly more expensive than direct insurers
Direct insurers
Examples: AXA, Allianz, Direct Line commercial offerings
Pros:
- Often cheaper than brokers
- Quick online quotes
Cons:
- May not understand PAT testing specifics
- May refuse or load cover if they don't understand the risk
Professional bodies
If you're a member of a professional body (IEE, City & Guilds, etc.), ask about group insurance schemes. Often 10-15% cheaper than individual quotes.
Selecting the right policy
When comparing quotes:
Check the Professional Indemnity limit
Most policies offer £1m, £2m, or £5m cover. For a solo tester, £1m is standard. For larger operations, £2m or £5m is safer.
Check the excess
The amount you pay towards any claim before insurance kicks in. £250-500 is typical. Lower excess costs more but is worth it for the peace of mind.
Check the definition of "PAT Testing"
Make sure the insurer specifically includes PAT testing. Some generic "electrician" policies exclude it. You need explicit coverage.
Check claims-made vs occurrence cover
Claims-made: covers claims reported while the policy is active. Occurrence: covers events that happened during the policy period, even if reported later.
Occurrence cover is better but more expensive. For PAT testing, claims-made is usually standard.
Check sub-contract cover
If you might subcontract work to other testers, make sure the policy covers this.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need insurance to operate as a PAT tester?
Yes. Public Liability is legally required. Professional Indemnity is practically required if you want to work with professional clients or avoid financial ruin. Tools & Equipment is optional but sensible.
How much does PAT testing insurance cost?
Budget £450-730/year for a proper combined policy (Public Liability + Professional Indemnity). It's a non-negotiable cost of doing business.
Can I get a day pass or short-term insurance?
Yes, some brokers offer 30-day or project-specific policies, but they're proportionally more expensive. Annual policies are better value if you're running ongoing operations.
What happens if I get a claim while my insurance is expired?
You're not covered. The insurer will refuse to pay and you're liable personally. Keeping insurance current is non-negotiable.
Will my insurance cost go up if I have a claim?
Possibly, though a single handled claim doesn't always result in a premium increase if the insurer deems the claim legitimate. Two or more claims in a few years will definitely push rates up. This is another reason to maintain proper testing standards — avoid claims by doing the work right.
Do I need insurance for free work or training?
Yes. If you're testing for free or as part of training, you still need coverage because an incident can still occur.
Can I claim insurance costs as a business expense?
Yes. All insurance premiums are tax-deductible business expenses in the UK.
The takeaway
PAT tester insurance is non-optional and non-negotiable. Budget £450-730/year for proper combined cover (Public Liability + Professional Indemnity). It's one of the lowest-cost, highest-value business protections you can buy.
Without it, you're one bad test away from a £50,000+ liability that wipes you out personally. With it, you have a sustainable business.
Get properly insured. It's the difference between a business and a legal liability waiting to happen.
