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As a tradesperson, you're no stranger to hard work and taking risks on the job. However, accidents can happen even with the best precautions in place.
Public liability insurance for tradies is a must-have to protect your business from costly lawsuits and financial ruin. It's a type of insurance that covers you for damages or injuries caused to third parties, including clients, employees, and bystanders.
This insurance can help you avoid financial disaster in the event of an accident, which is a significant concern for many tradies. According to industry data, the average cost of a public liability claim can be as high as $100,000.
With public liability insurance, you can focus on what you do best – delivering quality work and growing your business.
What Is Public Liability Insurance for Tradies?
Public Liability Insurance is a must-have for tradies, as it protects your business from costly claims and legal fees. Tradesmen insurance and public liability insurance are often confused, but they're not the same, with public liability insurance specifically covering third-party claims for property damage or personal injury.
As a tradie, you're at risk of causing damage or harm to third parties while working. Public Liability Insurance will cover you in case of an accident, including accidental death of a member of the public caused by your business activities.
Public Liability Insurance is crucial for self-employed tradespeople, offering essential financial protection to your business. Without it, even a minor mishap could result in expensive claims and legal fees, putting unnecessary strain on your business' finances.
You can purchase your policy through Rhino, a reputable provider of public liability insurance, and their helpful team will look after you every step of the way. Public Liability Insurance is a bread-and-butter for self-employed tradespeople, offering essential financial protection to your business.
In case of a claim, Public Liability Insurance will cover legal expenses and/or compensation owed by your business. The costs of such a claim could easily go into the tens of thousands, so it's easy to see why public liability is such an important form of trades insurance.
Public Liability Insurance is available for various trades, including gas engineers, bricklayers, cleaners, gardeners, electricians, builders, and more. No matter what your trade, having the right level of cover in place is vital.
Who Needs It?
Public liability insurance is a must-have for self-employed tradies, and it's not just a suggestion - it's a requirement for many. Virtually any tradie who is self-employed needs public liability insurance, including subcontractors.
You'll need public liability insurance if you're a tradesperson, regardless of your trade. This includes carpenters, tilers, cleaners, landscapers, and many others. In fact, the list of covered trades is extensive and includes electricians, roofers, mechanics, and even martial artists.
In most Australian states, electricians and plumbers need public liability insurance to obtain or renew their licence. And, even if your contracts or worksites don't require it, it's still a vital form of trades insurance.
Here are some examples of trades that may need public liability insurance:
- Carpenters
- Tilers
- Cleaners
- Landscapers
- Carpet Cleaners
- Electricians
- Roofers
- Mechanics
- Car Detailers
- Martial Artists
- Gardeners
- Glaziers
- Bricklayers
- Motor Wrecker
- Painters
- Lawn Care Workers
- Tree Loppers
- Window Cleaners
- Plumbers
- Plasterers
- Concreters
- Excavator Operators
Types of Trades Covered
Public liability insurance is a must-have for many tradies, but who exactly falls under this category? Well, the list is quite extensive, but it includes trades like carpenters, electricians, plumbers, tilers, painters, and bricklayers.
If you're a handyman or property maintenance worker, lawn mower, or gardener, you're also part of this group. In fact, the list can extend to hundreds of qualified trades and related occupations.
Some trades, like electricians and plumbers, require public liability insurance to obtain or renew their licence in many Australian states.
Which Trades It?
Many self-employed tradies need public liability insurance, including subcontractors.
Electricians and plumbers in most Australian states require public liability insurance to obtain or renew their licence.
Some trades might not need it for their licence, but may require it to work on certain sites.
Many sites now require you to hold public liability insurance to enter the site.
Contracts you sign might also require you to have public liability insurance, and may stipulate a minimum amount of insurance.
Personal accident insurance is a super important form of trades insurance for self-employed tradies, regardless of whether or not their contracts or worksites require it.
Electrical Trades
Licensed electricians in most Australian states require public liability insurance, which is a legal requirement to obtain or renew an electrical contractors licence.
This isn't just a recommendation, it's a must-have for electricians who want to stay on the right side of the law.
In Queensland, electricians have an additional requirement for consumer protection insurance, which adds another layer of protection for their customers.
Public liability insurance is a must-have for electricians, and it's not just for their own protection - it's also a requirement for many worksites that they'll be working on.
Some examples of trades that fall under the electrical trades category include:
- Carpenters
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Tilers
- Painters
- Bricklayers
- Plasterers
These trades often have similar insurance needs, but there are some unique requirements that set them apart.
Plumbing Trades
Plumbing trades require specialized insurance coverage. In most Australian states, licensed plumbers must have public liability insurance.
Plumbers in Victoria have an additional requirement: they must hold plumber's warranty insurance as part of their public liability policy. Without this warranty endorsement, plumbers in Victoria can't obtain or renew their trades license.
Do Painters
Do Painters Need Insurance?
Painters in Australia may need insurance, although it's not a legal requirement in all states. It's highly recommended for painters to have insurance as it protects them and their business in case of accidents, damages, or any other unforeseen circumstances.
Public liability insurance is a must-have for painters, just like other tradespeople. This type of insurance covers damages to third-party properties or injuries to members of the public.
You can get public liability insurance through various insurance providers, including Rhino. They offer policies with a minimum cover of $5 million, but you can opt for up to $20 million in cover.
As a painter, it's essential to consider the nature and location of your work when selecting the right insurance policy. A $5 million cover might be sufficient for residential or small commercial projects, but you may need a higher amount for larger or more complex projects.
Here are some common types of insurance that painters may need:
- Public liability insurance
- Personal accident insurance
- Contract works insurance
Keep in mind that insurance needs may vary depending on your specific trade and business activities. It's always a good idea to consult with an insurance expert to determine the right type and level of insurance for your business.
Cost and Coverage
Public liability insurance is a must-have for tradies, and understanding the costs and coverage options is crucial. The cost of public liability insurance can vary depending on several factors, including the type of trade and business size.
For sole traders like carpenters, the cost can be as low as $40 per month, while certain trades like plumbers and window cleaners may face higher premiums due to increased risks. The size of the business also impacts insurance costs, with larger businesses having more potential risks.
Public liability insurance policies typically offer cover up to £5 million, although some insurers may offer up to £20 million in cover. The minimum cover available in Australia is £5 million, but it's essential to consider the nature and location of your work when selecting the right amount of cover.
Here are some key factors that impact public liability insurance costs:
- Your trade / occupation
- Size of business – by revenue and/or staff numbers
- Subcontractor usage
- Hazardous work activities / locations
These factors can significantly affect the cost of public liability insurance, so it's essential to consider them when getting a quote.
Benefits and Protection
Public liability insurance offers essential financial protection to tradies, covering damages to third-party properties or injuries to members of the public.
Having this insurance shows potential clients and authorities that you've taken necessary steps to prepare for unlikely scenarios, protecting your business's reputation and finances.
Public liability insurance typically covers 3rd party personal injury, 3rd party property damage, advertising liability, and legal costs, as provided by insurers like imar.
A policy from Rhino covers damages to third-party properties or injuries to members of the public, so you can rest assured that your business is taken care of if an incident occurs.
Here are the typical costs that public liability insurance covers:
These costs can easily go into the tens of thousands, making public liability insurance a vital investment for tradies.
Is It Worth It?
The question on every business owner's mind: is public liability insurance worth it? The potential risks of not having this insurance are significant, which is why we encourage you to fully explore its benefits before making a decision.
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Public liability insurance is an ongoing expense for a possible event that might or might not occur. The cost of not having this insurance could be devastating, but the benefits are well worth considering.
To make an informed decision, you should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content, as it's considered general in nature only. This will help you understand the exclusions of cover and the potential risks involved.
No claim is guaranteed with public liability insurance, and all insurance policies contain exclusions of cover. This means you need to carefully review the policy terms to ensure you're adequately protected.
How to Protect Me
Public liability insurance can protect your business's reputation and finances in the event of third-party injury or property damage. For small business owners in Australia, it shows potential clients and authorities that you have taken the necessary steps to prepare for unlikely scenarios.
Having public liability insurance can cover damages to third-party properties or injuries to members of the public, so you can rest assured that your business is taken care of if an incident occurs. This is crucial no matter what your trade is.
Public liability insurance will respond if your negligence results in property damage or personal injury to another person. If you are found responsible, you'll be liable for costs which can include repair, replacement, medical expenses, rehabilitation, and even lost income.
The level of cover may vary among insurers, but imar offers insurance that includes:
- 3rd party personal injury
- 3rd party property damage
- Advertising liability
- Legal costs
You can purchase your policy through Rhino over the phone or online, and their helpful team will look after you every step of the way.
Policy and Claims
Public liability insurance is a must-have for tradies, and understanding the policy and claims process is crucial. A minimum of $5 million coverage is usually required to get on site, but this can vary depending on the job.
Theft of property is a common claim, accounting for 62% of claims over four years, with an average loss of $5,656. Accidental damage to third-party property is also a significant risk, with 13% of claims resulting in an average loss of $10,549.
Faulty workmanship can lead to costly claims, with an average loss of $8,175. Having the right small business insurance can help protect your business from these unexpected events.
Top 3 Claims
Theft of property is a major risk for tradies, with 62% of claims over four years resulting in an average loss of $5,656.
Accidental damage to third-party property is also a significant concern, with 13% of claims resulting in an average loss of $10,549.
Faulty workmanship is another common issue, with 11% of claims resulting in an average loss of $8,175.
Theft of property is a common claim, with 34% of claims resulting in an average loss of $5,703.
Accidental damage to third-party property is the most common claim, with 53% of claims resulting in an average loss of $7,558.
The average loss for accidental damage to own property is $3,430, which is a significant amount for any business.
The average loss for accidental damage to third-party property is $10,549, which is a substantial amount that can put a strain on a business's finances.
Theft of property and accidental damage to third-party property are the top two claims for tradies, and it's essential to have the right insurance in place to protect against these risks.
Buy Your Policy
Buying a policy is a crucial step in protecting your business. You'll need public liability insurance to cover yourself in case someone gets injured due to your work.
A minimum of $5 million coverage is usually required, so make sure you get at least that. This will help cover any legal expenses of a claim.
Getting on site often requires public liability insurance, so it's a good idea to have it before starting a job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do freelancers need public liability?
Yes, freelancers need public liability insurance to protect themselves against damages caused by their work. This insurance helps cover costs in case of accidents or property damage.
What insurance do I need to run a workshop?
To run a workshop, you'll need Public Liability Insurance to protect against accidents and Commercial Property Insurance to cover your equipment and venue.
Sources
- https://www.rhinotradeinsurance.com/public-liability-insurance/
- https://www.traderisk.com.au/tradies-insurance
- https://www.hiainsurance.com.au/products/tradies-insurance
- https://www.imar.com.au/blog/trades/tradies-ultimate-guide-to-public-liability-insurance/
- https://www.qbe.com/au/news/insurance-for-tradies
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