Tradesmen Insurance - Which Trades are Covered?

As a self-employed tradesman, you are probably all too aware that your business may be only a step away from great success or potential disaster. Business success is as much about protection as it is growth. Having a tradesman insurance policy can help protect your business - but which trades are covered?

Every trade has its own specific dangers. Whether you work in the building industry, as a carpet cleaner, chimney sweep, floor polisher or window cleaner, you need to carefully evaluate the potential risks and buy a tradesman insurance policy that’s appropriate.

Some trades, such as builders, carry higher risks and therefore it is extremely important to ensure that the appropriate builders insurance cover is in place.

If you employ someone, you are legally required to have employers’ liability insurance, which covers your legal liability arising from claims made by employees for injuries or illnesses they may suffer as a result of working for you.

If you are taking out builders insurance, carpenters or plumbers insurance or indeed insurance for any trade where you have associated tools, you should insure your tools and equipment against loss, damage or destruction both on and off site. Tool insurance may be offered as part of the basic tradesman insurance policy or it may be available as an optional extra cover.

Regardless of your trade, your tradesmen insurance should provide public liability cover in the event that legal action is taken against you by a customer or member of the public for injury or damage to their property happening as a result of your business activities.

As the number of people who sue continues to rise, you need to be sure that you are well protected. Perhaps as a window cleaner you are up a ladder and drop a tool onto someone’s head, causing them serious injury. You may be required to pay compensation and without the appropriate window cleaner insurance policy, this could mean a lifetime of paying back the costs of the accident.

Whatever your trade, whether you work as a shopfitter, video installer, glazier, gardener or vacuum cleaner repair person, regardless of whether or not you have premises, it is essential to assess your business risks and buy the appropriate tradesman insurance.

The good news is that the wide choice of quality small business and tradesman insurance policies means that you will be hard pushed to find a trade that isn’t covered by the insurance market. For many trades, you can now get quote and buy tradesman insurance online. This gives you the flexibility of finding and purchasing insurance at a time that suits you.

If your business is more unusual, involves potentially dangerous activities or perhaps you undertake activity not generally associated with your trade, you may need to enlist the help of an insurance broker to make sure you get the insurance cover you need.

Regardless of your trade, it’s vital that you have tradesmen insurance. The insurance premium is an extra cost but without the right insurance cover, you could be jeopardising your business.

Last reviewed - 01/2010

To talk to an expert in your area and get a quote contact your local insurance broker.