Does your property require non-standard insurance?
Public Liability Insurance for Tradesmen
Public liability insurance protects tradesmen in the case that your work harms a member of the public or damages their personal property.
This type of insurance is particularly important for tradesmen as they often work in the public domain or in people’s homes/work premises.
If the nature of your work and the tools/materials you use have the potential to cause harm to the public and their property, it’s wise to ensure you have public liability insurance at the very minimum.
This is true whether you’re a nationwide company or a small local business.
Are you prepared in the event of an accident or injury?
Personal Accident Cover will protect you against the loss of income and potential medical costs in the event of an accident or injury putting you out of action.
Safeguarding against tool theft
Tradesmen are often reliant on their tools and equipment in order to carry out their work fully and effectively.
In the event of tool theft, not only can you lose the financial value of your equipment, but the interruption to your business could mean cancelling/delaying jobs until you source new equipment. We take a look at how best to protect your tools and equipment against theft.
On-site tools
Store your tools in an area which can be secured overnight, rather than leaving them out on-site. Ensure your staff are all prepped with the knowledge and training to secure the tools they work with. It may be helpful to consider a ‘check in, check out’ procedure, so each member of staff is accountable for the tools they use.
Locks & security
It’s wise to invest in heavy-duty locks to keep your tools safe. Try to secure your equipment in the manner it’s intended to be secured. It may be worth investing in security measures like CCTV, alarms and motion sensitive lighting as this will not only help you identify the perpetrator following the theft but may also act as a deterrent to potential thieves.
Tools in vans
Think about how you store your tools in vans as the harder they are to access, the less attractive they are to thieves. Thieves are becoming increasingly fond of the ‘peel and steal’ technique, where they simply use brute force to open sliding doors with only their hands. The best way to counteract this is to get your van reinforced and park with your sliding door against a wall to limit access. It’s best not to leave your van unattended for a long period of time and if possible, empty it of all tools overnight.
Identification
It’s best to mark your property so that you can identify them should they be found following a theft. You can do this simply with either paint, permanent marker or UV pen and you could even etch it into the tool itself. Keep a note of the serial numbers of your tools and equipment and keep them stored in an inventory.
Common insurance claims
We take a look at the most common insurance claims made by Tradesmen.
The most common of all insurance claims made by tradesmen is covering claims made against for Damage to Property. This could be anything from a plumber causing a flood within a home or faulty wiring resulting in a fire. The potential cost of these claims can skyrocket dependent on the severity of the damage and the impact it has had.
Employee Accidents come a close second, as tradesmen often work in environments with a higher risk. Employers are required to meet the current health and safety regulations and if it seems that they have failed to meet these, they may face hefty compensation claims for their employees.
The third most common claim is Stolen Tools. If a worker is left without their tools and equipment, it’s likely they won’t be able to complete a job fully and efficiently. These can be expensive to replace and can’t always be sourced immediately which could cause disruption to the business.
Tips for keeping happy clients
Overview
When running your own business or representing a wider enterprise, there are certain things you can do to keep your clients on board. Not only will this reduce the chance of any difficulties down the line but may ensure they will recommend you going forward. The power of word of mouth can be more important than you think.
Helpful tips:
- Keep prices fair
- Give a clear breakdown of costs
- Stay realistic with deadlines
- Maintain contact
- Keep clients in the loop
- Take input from your clients
- Stick to deadlines
- Follow up regularly
Try to avoid:
- Swearing on the job
- Being late
- Turning up ill-presented
- Over-promising
- Leaving a mess
- Asking for cash upfront
- Leaving a job unfinished
- Ignoring your phone
Different types of Tradesmen Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my tools still be covered if I leave them on-site? 
Your tools may be covered if you have taken reasonable steps to secure them and have security measures in place. If it can be proved that the tools were easily accessible to the public and have then been stolen, there may be an issue with any claim attempts.
Why do I need Tradesmen Insurance?
There are a number of risks with any business, but with the nature of work conducted by tradesmen, some of these risks are even more prevalent. If legal action is taken against you for any reason, the costs can quickly rise and it’s essential to ensure you’re covered on such an occasion. We would recommend that Public liability be the minimum requirement for any tradesman and similarly, it is a legal requirement to have Employers’ Liability cover if you have one or more employee’s.
Am I covered if I have an accident at work?
If you take out cover which includes Personal Accident cover, this will provide cover in the event of a physical injury or permanent disability.
