If you are a plumber or run a plumbing business, you will, as a minimum, need to buy employers liability insurance (to comply with the employers liability protection act). Although not compulsory, taking out plumber’s public liability insurance will be essential for protecting your business against claims made upon you for negligence.
Plumber is a skilful trade and as such, some of the activities of plumbers are regulated by law, anyone installing or servicing gas supplies or gas appliances has to be a CORGI registered. Accidents or injuries caused whilst carrying out work can sometimes lead to substantial damage being caused and more often than not homeowners and business owners will expect the plumber to pay, if negligence can be proved. Public liability insurance policies come with fairly high indemnity limits to help protect you against claims (the indemnity limit is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay). This is usually between 1 & 5 million pounds. You can often choose the indemnity limit you require, but certain jobs, particularly for shops and offices, may want you to hold a higher limit. If you do carry out this type of work, it’s a good idea to ask the insurer before cover is incepted, if they can upgrade your policy if required at a later date.
Public Liability Policies are usually rated on a per capita basis, with the more persons employed, within the firm, the higher the rating. For larger firms, it is often possible to rate the insurance on a turnover basis. Quotations are based on the type of work being varied out, most plumbers with restrict there work to plumbing (and sometimes heating) to domestic dwelling houses, shops & office etc. If any work is carried our, outside of these areas, then a loading may be applied to the policy. When applying for a quotation, full details of all work carried should be disclosed as well as full details of any previous claims. Plumber’s tools can be very expensive and costly to replace, it is thus possible to obtain an extension on the policy to include tools or even hired in plant. Cover for theft may contain some restrictions so it’s essential to study the policy Keyfacts carefully. If you are worried about loss of income following an accident, it may, in some circumstances also be possible to add on Personal Accident Insurance.
