Compare Carers Insurance
Whether you are a self-employed personal assistant, employed through a direct payment, or you employ a carer yourself — the right insurance is essential. Specialist carers insurance starts from less than £70 a year and protects you from the financial and legal consequences of an accident at work. It is also known as PA insurance, personal assistant insurance or public liability insurance for carers.
Compare providers
Surewise
From £6.49/month
- Choice of cover levels
- For self-employed, employed, and direct payment carers
- Public liability and employer's liability
- No excess — no hidden fees
Blue Badge
From £77.88/year
- £5 million public liability cover
- Up to 90 days holiday cover
- No cancellation fees
- Includes healthcare tasks
Mark Bates
From £69/year
- Employer's and public liability
- Legal expenses
- Personal possessions
- Employment support
Fish Insurance
From £89/year
- For carers or personal assistants
- Employer's and public liability
- Damage to property cover
- Personal accident
Prices and availability correct at time of last update. Always check directly with the provider.
Provider details, prices and availability are correct at the time of writing and subject to change without notice. Always verify current terms and pricing directly with the provider before purchasing.
What does carers insurance cover?
Self-employed PAs
Public liability (PL) is the foundation — it protects you if you accidentally injure a client or damage their property. Professional indemnity (PI) covers claims of professional negligence.
Employed PAs (direct payments)
If you are employed by an individual using direct payments, your employer is legally required to hold employer's liability (EL) insurance. Check this is in place before starting work.
Clients who employ carers
If you receive direct payments and employ your own carer, employer's liability insurance is a legal requirement. Several providers above can help with this.
What's typically covered
Public liability, employer's liability, legal expenses, personal accident cover, and loss of personal possessions. Cover levels and inclusions vary by provider.
Public liability insurance for carers
Public liability insurance for carers is the core cover on this page — it protects you if you accidentally injure a client or damage their property while providing care in someone’s home. It isn’t a legal requirement for self-employed carers and PAs, but most agencies and direct-payment clients expect to see it, and without it you are personally liable for compensation and legal costs.
If you employ a carer yourself — including via direct payments — employer’s liability insurance is the legal requirement, not public liability. The two are often bundled together in the policies above, alongside cover relevant to domiciliary care insurance where a registered care agency needs cover for its staff.
Typical public liability limits on carers insurance range from £2 million to £5 million, with policies starting from around £69 a year for self-employed PAs.
Common questions
Is carer insurance a legal requirement?
Employer's liability insurance is a legal requirement for anyone who directly employs a carer (including via direct payments). Public liability for self-employed PAs is not legally mandatory but is strongly recommended.
What is the difference between public liability and employer's liability?
Public liability (PL) covers you if you accidentally injure a client or damage their property. Employer's liability (EL) is required by law if you employ someone — it covers claims from employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their work.
Do I need carers insurance if I work for an agency?
If you work directly for an agency as an employed member of staff, the agency's insurance should cover you. If you work self-employed via an agency, you are responsible for your own public liability insurance.
What does professional indemnity cover for carers?
Professional indemnity (PI) insurance covers claims of professional negligence — for example, if a client alleges that your actions or advice caused them harm or financial loss. It is particularly relevant for carers providing health-related support.
Does carers insurance cover working in a client's home?
Yes — specialist carers insurance is designed specifically for work carried out in a client's home. It covers public liability for injuries or property damage that occur in the course of your work there.
How much does it cost?
Specialist policies are available from around £69-£78 per year for self-employed PAs. The exact cost depends on your level of cover and employment status.
I am an unpaid family carer — do I need this?
No — carer insurance is for professional carers and personal assistants working under a commercial arrangement. See our UK Carers Rights guide in Insights for information relevant to unpaid carers.
Do you cover domiciliary care agency insurance?
The policies above are aimed at individual carers, PAs and their employers rather than registered domiciliary care agencies, which typically need business-level employer's liability, public liability and professional indemnity cover. See our domiciliary care insurance guide for more detail.
Do you need to insure yourself or your employee?
The type of carers insurance you need depends on your employment arrangement. Here is a quick guide:
I am a self-employed carer or PA
You need public liability insurance as a minimum. Professional indemnity is also worth considering if you provide health-related care.
I employ a carer using direct payments
Employer's liability insurance is a legal requirement. Without it you could face a fine of up to £2,500 per day.
I'm hiring a private carer for myself or a family member
If you employ a private carer directly — including through direct payments — you need employer's liability insurance, the same requirement as any other employer. Ask to see the carer's own public liability cover too, since that protects against accidental injury or damage during their work.
Further reading: UK Carers & PAs: Your Rights, Benefits and Legal Support Guide — and our Public & Employer's Liability Insurance Guide.