If you run an appliance repair business in London — whether you repair domestic white-goods (washers, ovens, fridges), commercial equipment, or offer servicing in clients’ homes or businesses — you face a range of risks: entering customer premises, handling electrical items, causing accidental damage, customer injury or equipment failure. Having the right insurance in place isn’t just prudent — it’s essential.
At Fraser Bond, we advise appliance repair businesses on structuring insurance that reflects their service profile, contractual exposure, and the London repair-market context.
“Appliance repair business insurance” is a collection of insurance covers specifically tailored to the risks of repairing appliances (domestic or commercial). The key components typically include:
Public / Products Liability Insurance – Protects you if a third-party (customer, visitor) is injured or their property damaged as a result of your repair work. For example, you repair a washing machine, something leaks, a visitor trips, claim arises.
Professional Indemnity / Financial Loss Cover – If your advice, diagnosis or repair service is alleged to have caused financial loss (e.g., you replaced a part and later another fault occurs, or an appliance you repaired fails and causes damage) you need cover.
Tools, Equipment and Contents Insurance – Covers your repair tools, diagnostic equipment, van stock, mobile kit from theft, damage or loss.
Business Interruption or Loss of Income Cover – If your business is unable to operate due to an insured event (e.g., fire in your workshop, theft of major equipment) this cover supports your income.
Employers' Liability Insurance – If you employ staff, you have a legal obligation in the UK to hold this cover for claims by employees injured or ill through work.
Commercial Vehicle Insurance – If you travel to customer premises in a van or truck, your business use motor insurance must reflect that usage (often separate to standard private cover).
Optional Extensions – Such as stock in transit, hired-in equipment, higher risk contracts (e.g., commercial white-goods in offices); some insurers offer tailored add-ons for appliance repair businesses.
Operating an appliance repair business in London and the wider UK brings several specific considerations:
You often work in clients’ homes or commercial premises — increasing exposure to third-party injury, property damage, customer dissatisfaction, and disruption.
The value of appliances and the potential damage if repair work goes wrong can be high. One faulty repair could lead to property damage (e.g., water leak, fire) and a substantial claim.
Customers, landlords, or service-contracts may require proof of insurance before engaging your service — for example managing agents in blocks of flats might insist your public liability is in place.
Your tools and equipment are highly mobile, potentially exposed to theft or damage in a high-density urban environment (London).
Competition is strong; having appropriate insurance boosts credibility, ensures you can tender for contracts and protects your business continuity.
Without the right cover, even a single claim could threaten the survival of a small repair business.
Here are benchmarks and factors to review:
Some appliance repair-specialist policies show public/products liability limits starting at £1 million and going up to £2 million or more.
Equipment/contents cover may start from modest monthly premiums (some as low as ~£20/month) for small operations.
Key cost and premium drivers:
Size of business (turnover, number of employees).
The nature of work (domestic vs commercial, the complexity of appliances).
Whether you work onsite in clients’ homes or built-units (higher risk).
Value of your tools, equipment and van stock.
Your claims history or past incidents.
Whether you employ staff (which triggers employers’ liability).
The geographic location (London operations may attract higher risk/premium).
What to check in the policy:
Are both public and products liability included? Many repairers supply parts, install new items which may implicate product liability.
Are on-site visits covered (client’s premises)? E.g., accidental damage to a client’s property or if an appliance causes damage post-repair.
Are your tools and contents in transit covered? If you travel with equipment.
Does your commercial vehicle usage match your policy?
Are there exclusions for particular classes of appliances or services (e.g., refrigerant work may need specialist cover).
Is the limit sufficient for your contract risk or customer base? Don’t just pick the cheapest.
Is your insurance contract-ready (certificate available, meets client/landlord requirements)?
Review the excess you’ll pay in a claim to ensure it's acceptable.
Fraser Bond recommends this approach:
Define your business profile and risk exposures – What kind of appliances do you repair (domestic, commercial), where (homes, blocks of flats, office), whether you stock parts, whether you have van/vehicle.
Check contractual/venue requirements – If you work for landlords, managing agents, property managers, they may stipulate a minimum liability cover or supplier insurance.
Select cover types and limits aligned with your operations – At minimum public/products liability; add tools/contents, business interruption, employers’ liability (if needed), vehicle.
Review policy wording & exclusions in detail – Ensure your specific work areas are included (onsite, homes, flats, commercial), check for exclusions, check whether product liability is included.
Compare providers specialising in appliance repair/trades – Because your trade has specific exposures, a specialist broker or insurer is beneficial.
Ensure proof of insurance and documentation – Many clients or property managers will request a certificate of insurance; keep your documents up to date.
Review annually and as your business evolves – If you take on larger appliances, move into commercial sector, hire staff, your insurance needs will change.
Integrate insurance with your risk-management – Good workmanship, clear contract terms, client-site safety, documented disclaimers help reduce claims risk.
Fraser Bond offers advisory services that extend beyond selecting a policy. For appliance repair businesses we provide:
Insight into how your repair business interacts with property risk, contract obligations (landlords/managing agents), client expectations and the London market.
Review of your insurance arrangement to ensure your policy covers your actual exposures, tools/contents, on-site work, commercial vs domestic mix.
Assistance in preparing your insurance credentials (certificate, proof) to present to clients/agents.
Support as your business grows, scaling your risk, upgrading limits, deploying vehicles, adding staff.
With our guidance you’re not just getting insurance — you’re securing your business, reputation and future growth.
If you run an appliance repair business in London or the UK and want to ensure your insurance is aligned with your trade, service model and risk, visit FraserBond.com or contact our London advisory team for tailored guidance on appliance repair business insurance, liability, tools/contents cover, business interruption and how to choose the right policy for your operation.
