Atlantic Insurance has been assisting our Trade Insurance Clients arrange Public Liability Insurance for over 25 years.
Our experience assisting our valued Tradie Clients has shown that no two Trades Businesses are the same. Whether it be size or scale, ownership structure, future direction, unique client base or working Environment, each has their own Insurance needs, and many require legislated endorsements to their Insurance covers such as the non-compliant or faulty workmanship endorsements required by Licenced Plumbers in Victoria as a requirement of the Ministerial Order or the Consumer Protection endorsement of $50,000 required by Licenced Electricians in Queensland.
What does trades public liability insurance cover
Trades Businesses inherently work on-site on a mix of building sites, homes, commercial or industrial premises and often alongside other trades and their equipment and the reality is accidents or losses could potentially happen anywhere in Australia.
For a Tradie maintaining the right Public and Products Liability Policy is paramount. This is designed to provide protection against claims by third parties happening anywhere in Australia as a result of negligence causing property damage or bodily injury. As a Tradie is exposed to many different people whilst carrying out their work a claim could be bought by a member of the public, a supplier, a customer or where we are seeing many claims, a claim made against a Trades Business by another contractor including your own subcontractor. (often referred to as worker to worker liability)
Who needs to take out public liability insurance
Atlantic Insurance recommend that any Trades Business (both sole trades and registered companies) should have a Public Liability Policy in Place. With minimum premiums starting at around $460 plus government charges this policy will provide valuable protection should a claim for compensation be made by a Third Party.
It is important to note that there are often many different Trades and Contractors on a job site and following damage or injury many different Businesses or Individuals may be named in a legal action. Even if you believe you are not at fault you will need to defend yourself against a claim which will likely incur legal costs or sometimes defending yourself in court. A good Trades Public Liability Policy will provide cover for damages / settlement to restitute a loss along with importantly cover for legal defence costs.
Does atlantic insurance assist with claims
Many of Atlantic Insurance’s competitors who offer Trades Liability Insurance Policies utilise Claims Teams who are often separated from the Client Managers who arrange the Insurance Policies. Atlantic Insurance’s Client Managers appreciate that the true value of an Insurance Policy is at claim time and receiving a letter of demand, Writ or Summons can be especially stressful for a Trades Business. The Trades Client Manager who assisted you arrange your Policy will be the same Client Manager that assists you lodge your Public Liability claim with your insurer and who manages the claim through to cessation.
What policy extensions / endorsements may be relevant to consider
Atlantic Insurance carefully considers each Trade Clients unique needs and tailors a Public Liability cover to suit our Clients individual and unique needs. An example of some of the common endorsements / extensions we can negotiate are as follows:
