Written By Jonathan Palmer 
Protecting International Contractors: The Honest Way.
Comprehensive & Affordable: International contractor insurance from around £10 a month. Up to £10 million Public Liability. Up to £5 million Professional Indemnity. A specialist solution from Honest Payroll.
When you’re placing or working as an international contractor, payroll is only part of the picture.
What happens if something goes wrong?
Who covers the contractor if a third party makes a claim? What happens if a client alleges that professional advice or services have caused financial loss? And does the contractor’s insurance actually meet the requirements of the end client?
For recruitment agencies, these aren’t questions you want to be answering at the last minute.
For contractors, they’re questions worth answering before you start the assignment.
That’s why Honest Payroll offers a specialist contractor insurance solution designed around the needs of international contractors and the agencies that place them.
And here’s what makes the proposition particularly compelling:
Eligible contractors can access insurance packages from around £10 a month, with headline cover of up to £10 million Public Liability and £5 million Professional Indemnity.
Specialist protection. Substantial cover. Exceptional value.
Why International Contractors Need Specialist Insurance:
International contracting can involve more complexity than a standard UK assignment.
Contractors may be:
- Working across multiple countries.
- Operating on behalf of a UK recruitment agency.
- Working for international end clients.
- Entering client sites or project environments.
- Providing specialist technical or professional services.
- Working in sectors such as energy, renewables, engineering and construction.
- Working offshore or in remote locations.
- Required to demonstrate specific levels of insurance before an assignment begins.
Insurance requirements can also vary depending on the contractor’s role, location, industry and contractual arrangements.
According to Business.gov.uk’s guidance on business insurance, Public Liability insurance can protect against claims where someone is injured or their property is damaged because of business activities, while Professional Indemnity insurance can protect against claims that professional advice, work or services have caused a client’s financial loss.
For international contractors, therefore, having insurance isn’t necessarily enough. Having the right insurance matters.
Up to £10 Million Public Liability Insurance:
Public Liability insurance is designed to provide protection against eligible claims involving injury to third parties or damage to third-party property arising from business activities.
For contractors working on major projects, visiting client sites or working alongside other teams, this can be an important part of their overall risk protection.
Honest Payroll’s specialist contractor insurance solution can provide up to £10 million of Public Liability cover, subject to eligibility and the terms of the relevant policy.
That level of cover can also help contractors meet the insurance requirements specified by larger organisations and end clients.
The important point is not simply the size of the number. It’s whether the policy is appropriate for the work you’re actually doing.
Up to £5 Million Professional Indemnity Insurance:
For contractors providing professional expertise, consultancy, technical advice or specialist services, Professional Indemnity insurance can be equally important.
Professional Indemnity cover is designed to protect against eligible claims relating to professional services, including allegations that advice, work or services have caused financial loss.
Honest Payroll’s specialist solution provides up to £5 million of Professional Indemnity cover, subject to the contractor, assignment and policy terms.
For contractors working on complex international projects, that can provide an important additional layer of protection.
Comprehensive Cover From Around £10 a Month.
This is where the proposition becomes particularly interesting.
Specialist insurance doesn’t necessarily have to mean expensive insurance.
Eligible contractors can access packages from around £10 a month, potentially providing substantial levels of protection for a relatively small monthly cost.
For an individual contractor, that’s valuable peace of mind.
For a recruitment agency, it’s another way to strengthen the contractor proposition.
And for an end client, it can provide additional reassurance that appropriate insurance has been considered as part of the contractor onboarding process.
The exact premium and cover will depend on the contractor’s circumstances, occupation, assignment, location and policy requirements.
Why Recruitment Agencies Should Think Beyond Payroll:
For recruitment agencies, international contractor insurance is about more than ticking a compliance box.
It can become part of the wider service you provide to contractors and clients.
When you place contractors internationally, your clients expect you to help manage the complexities around onboarding, compliance, payroll and risk.
Offering access to specialist contractor insurance alongside payroll can help create a more joined-up solution.
It can mean:
- Less administration for your internal team.
- A simpler contractor onboarding process.
- Greater contractor confidence.
- Support with insurance requirements.
- A stronger proposition for your end clients.
- One specialist partner supporting more of the contractor journey.
Our recent case study on specialist insurance and international contractor payroll demonstrates how the right insurance solution can become a genuine competitive advantage for recruitment agencies.
Insurance doesn’t have to sit separately from payroll.
It can be part of a better contractor experience.
Why Contractors Shouldn’t Leave Insurance Until the Last Minute:
If you’re an international contractor, there are already plenty of things to think about.
Where will I be working?
How will I be paid?
What are my tax obligations?
Who is responsible for payroll?
What documentation does the client need?
And what insurance do I need?
The last question is often left until just before an assignment begins.
That’s a mistake.
Your end client may specify minimum levels of Public Liability or Professional Indemnity cover. They may also have specific requirements around the geographical scope of the policy or the nature of the work covered.
Getting this sorted early can help avoid unnecessary delays.
Our Honest Contractor’s Guide to Contracting Abroad covers five important questions contractors should consider before taking on an overseas assignment.
Insurance should be one of them.
International Assignments Can Create Additional Complexity.
Not every international contractor is the same.
A contractor working from a UK office for a European client may have very different requirements from someone working offshore or in a remote international location.
That means one insurance policy shouldn’t automatically be assumed to fit every assignment.
The right solution needs to consider:
- The contractor’s occupation.
- The nature of the work.
- The countries involved.
- The location of the assignment.
- The end client’s requirements.
- The required level of cover.
- Any relevant exclusions or conditions.
This is particularly important for contractors working in higher-risk or specialist environments.
Honest Payroll has experience supporting complex international contractor arrangements, including specialist insurance requirements for offshore and global workforces.
What About Employers’ Liability Insurance?
It’s important to understand that Public Liability, Professional Indemnity and Employers’ Liability are different types of insurance.
Employers’ Liability insurance is generally a legal requirement for businesses that employ people in the UK, subject to specific exemptions. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance on Employers’ Liability insurance and employer responsibilities.
If you’re a recruitment agency or business employing workers, you should make sure you understand your own Employers’ Liability obligations.
For contractors, the relevant insurance requirements will depend on their working arrangements and contractual status.
Don’t assume one type of insurance replaces another.
If you’re unsure what cover your particular assignment requires, speak to a qualified insurance professional.
Insurance Costs May Be a Business Expense.
For eligible self-employed contractors, insurance can also have tax implications.
GOV.UK guidance confirms that certain business insurance costs, including Public Liability insurance and Professional Indemnity insurance premiums, can be allowable business expenses for self-employed individuals, subject to the normal rules.
You can read the official GOV.UK guidance on business expenses and insurance.
As always, contractors should take appropriate tax advice based on their own circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much does international contractor insurance cost?
Honest Payroll can provide access to specialist contractor insurance packages from around £10 a month, subject to eligibility and the individual contractor’s circumstances, assignment and policy requirements.
The actual premium will depend on the cover required.
What does Public Liability insurance cover?
Public Liability insurance can provide protection against eligible claims involving injury to third parties or damage to third-party property arising from business activities.
The exact protection depends on the policy wording, limits, exclusions and conditions.
What is Professional Indemnity insurance?
Professional Indemnity insurance is designed to protect against eligible claims relating to professional services, such as allegations that advice, work or services have caused a client’s financial loss.
It can be particularly relevant to consultants, professional contractors and specialists.
Do international contractors need insurance?
There is no single answer for every contractor.
Insurance requirements depend on factors including the contractor’s role, assignment, location, contractual arrangements and end-client requirements.
Some clients will require specific levels of Public Liability or Professional Indemnity cover before allowing a contractor to start work.
Can recruitment agencies arrange contractor insurance?
Yes. Recruitment agencies can work with specialist providers to help contractors access appropriate insurance.
Honest Payroll’s approach brings specialist contractor insurance together with payroll and wider contractor support.
Does contractor insurance cover overseas assignments?
Potentially, but never assume that a standard policy automatically covers every country or assignment.
Territorial limits, exclusions, occupation, activities and other policy conditions need to be considered.
This is particularly important for contractors working offshore, remotely or across multiple countries.
Can international contractors get £10 million Public Liability cover?
Eligible contractors can access packages through Honest Payroll with up to £10 million Public Liability cover, subject to the relevant policy terms and eligibility criteria.
The appropriate level of cover should always be considered against the requirements of the specific assignment.
Can contractors get £5 million Professional Indemnity cover?
Yes. Honest Payroll’s specialist contractor insurance solution can provide up to £5 million Professional Indemnity cover, subject to eligibility and policy terms.
More Than Payroll. Protection That Works.
International contracting isn’t just about getting paid.
It’s about getting the whole process right.
Payroll. Compliance. Insurance. Support.
At Honest Payroll, we bring these elements together to make international contracting simpler for agencies, contractors and end clients.
Our international contractor payroll guidance provides further insight into the challenges facing international contractors and the agencies that support them.
And our Contractors service explains how Honest Payroll supports contractors throughout their payroll journey.
Because when you’re working internationally, you need more than a payroll provider.
You need a partner who understands the journey.
Protect Your Contractors. Protect Your Business.
Whether you’re a recruitment agency managing an international contractor workforce or an individual contractor preparing for your next overseas assignment, don’t leave insurance until the last minute.
Find out what protection could be available to you.
Contact Paul Gatenby
Global Account Director | Honest Payroll
📞 07734 864735
✉️ paul@honestpayroll.co.uk