Blog>Trade>Benefits>Everything you need to know about scaffolder insurance
Last updated: 24 July 2025
Everything you need to know about scaffolder insurance
When you’re in the scaffolding business, safety is an essential part of the job. This makes having the right scaffolder insurance compulsory for you to carry out scaffolding work on-site.
Do scaffolders need insurance?
Whether you’re starting a scaffolding company or branching out from construction, working with scaffolding comes with its own risks. These additional risks mean that having scaffolder insurance is very often a requirement to do your job.
The nature of scaffolding work means that both scaffolders and anyone close by are at greater risk than other trades. From when scaffolding goes up through to when you dismantle it, there’s a variety of accidents that could happen.
Common scaffolding accidents
Here are common scaffolding accidents that you, your colleagues, contractors and members of the public could be at risk of:
Workers falling off the scaffolding
Falling objects hitting workers or members of the public
Scaffolding collapse
Damage to the property you’re working on
Theft or vandalism of the scaffolding itself
Not only can these accidents cause personal injury and distress, but they can impact you financially.
Avoid the financial stress by familiarising yourself with scaffolding health and safety regulations, and invest in scaffolder insurance cover.
Why you need roofers and scaffolding insurance
As a scaffolding professional, there are a number of reasons why you need roofers and scaffolders insurance, including:
It protects you by covering the cost of injury, loss or damages if a claim is made against you. This will depend on the level of insurance cover you have
It can provide protection for the scaffolding itself, in the event of accidental damage, vandalism or theft
It gives you peace of mind so that you don’t have to worry about the implications of accidents or damage on site
Make sure your business is fully protected with the right insurance
And save 20% on specialist trade cover as a Checkatrade member
What type of scaffolder insurance do I need?
There are different types of scaffolder insurance available. So you want to make sure you get the right cover for you and your business.
Standard builders’ insurance will cover some of what you’ll need to think about. But scaffolding cover can be a bit more comprehensive.
Here’s a summary of the most common types of roofers and scaffolders insurance you might want to consider:
1. Scaffolders public liability insurance
This cover is arguably the most important type of insurance for a scaffolder to have. Scaffolders' public liability insurance helps cover the cost of a claim by a third party.
Someone could make a claim if they’ve suffered any loss, injury, or damage due to the scaffolding being in place. If you’re legally responsible for the loss, injury or damage, public liability insurance will help you pay the financial costs.
2. Employers’ liability insurance
If you have a team of scaffolders working for you, you’re obliged by law to have adequate employers’ liability insurance.
This type of insurance helps cover the costs if one of your employees is injured while working for you. And decides to take legal action as a result.
The same is true if you have any subcontractors or labourers working with you on-site. If this is the case, then it's your responsibility to make sure that they are insured too.
3. Scaffolding contractors' insurance
If you’re working as an independent scaffolding contractor not employed by a scaffolding company, your insurance needs will be different. You’ll likely need to take out your own scaffolding contractor insurance to cover you while you’re working.
4. Cover for scaffolding tools and equipment (on-site and in transit)
Your scaffolding equipment is the heart of your business. It’s important to have the right insurance to cover your tools, equipment, and materials while on-site and in transit.
By having scaffolder tools cover, you’ll have protection in the event of loss, damage or theft of your scaffolding equipment.
5. Financial loss cover
This type of scaffolder insurance protects you against claims from your clients. Specifically in the event of them suffering financial losses as a result of your scaffolding work.
A scaffolder in the UK can earn up to £56,830. So it’s important to protect your earnings. check out our guide to how much scaffolders make for more information.
Is it mandatory to have scaffolder insurance?
Anyone working on a scaffolding site needs to be covered by the relevant scaffolders' liability insurance or scaffolding contractors' insurance.
If you employ workers in the UK, it’s a legal requirement to have employers’ liability insurance.
Scaffolding subcontractors who work independently need to have their own scaffolder contractor insurance.
As well as scaffolder insurance being a legal requirement in the UK, it’s also reassuring for customers. Always make sure you let your customers know about your insurance cover when you’re promoting your business.
Make sure your business is fully protected with the right insurance
And save 20% on specialist trade cover as a Checkatrade member
How much does scaffolder insurance cost?
Scaffolder insurance costs will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
The type of scaffolder insurance cover you need
The level of cover that you choose
Your business turnover
The size and nature of the scaffolding work you carry out
Whether you need cover for employees
Where you work
Your insurance claims history
The quantity and value of your tools and equipment
One way to save money on your roofers and scaffolders' insurance is to become a Checkatrade member.
Save money on your scaffolder insurance as a Checkatrade member
Checkatrade members get 20% off public liability insurance trade cover.
It also has the added flexibility of optional extra covers such as employers’ liability insurance, tools cover, and other insurance cover relevant for tradespeople.
Save on your business insurance and enjoy a range of other benefits too
Checkatrade members can save up to £500 per year on business essentials*
*Year runs from April to March. Spend based on 12,505 members. Discounts differ depending on the partner. Products range from low-value items to high-value items. Total amount spent on Selco is estimated at £42,380,838 by 7,298 members and is based on average savings per member from 2020/21. 10% discount. Some exclusions will apply to products.
