WE WORK WITH TRUSTED A-RATED INSURANCE COMPANIES
Plumbing Insurance NZ
Your Local Plumbing Insurance Experts.
When it comes to managing your plumbing business, an essential aspect often overlooked is insurance. At Gerrards Insurance Brokers, we make it our mission to help you secure the best deal and cover for your plumbing business insurance. If you’d like an immediate quote, don’t hesitate to contact us. Otherwise, read on to gain comprehensive insights about plumbing business insurance in New Zealand.
Why Do Plumbers Need Insurance?
Every business carries certain risks and plumbing is no exception. Due to the nature of their work, plumbers often find themselves in situations where accidents could occur. Having a comprehensive insurance policy protects your business against unforeseen costs due to accidents, damages, or even theft. A robust insurance plan ensures that your plumbing business can navigate through potential financial hardships and continue to provide its valuable services to the community.
Types of Insurance Cover for a Plumbing Business
Public Liability
This policy covers common business risks including bodily injuries, customer property damage, and advertising injuries. It’s required for most commercial leases.
Best For
- Business Accident Coverage
- Third-party Damages
- Legal Cost Protection
Statutory Liability
This cover is a type of protection that helps people or businesses cover costs if they accidentally break certain laws or regulations.
Best For
- Unintentional breaches protection
- Legal costs
- Fines and penalties
Employers Liability
This insurance helps protect businesses from financial losses if an employee suffers injuries or illnesses at work.
Best For
- Workplace injuries
- Legal expenses
- Compensation payments
Professional Indemnity
This coverage protects businesses from financial losses if they make mistakes or are accused of negligence while doing their job.
Best For
- Negligence claims
- Errors & Omissions
- Professional mistakes
Business Vehicle Insurance
Protects vehicles used for work purposes. It covers accidents, damages, and injuries related to the vehicle while it’s being used for business and personal activities.
Best For
- Repair costs
- Third party damages
- Injuries
Loss of use
Coverage that helps when your vehicle is unusable due to an accident. It covers the cost of a temporary replacement vehicle, so you can still get around while your car is being repaired.
Best For
- Temporary vehicle
- Reimbursement expenses
- Accident downtime
Management Liability
Management liability insurance in NZ shields company leaders from legal and financial risks due to their managerial responsibilities.
Best For
- Directors liability
- Employment disputes
- Legal defence
Tool Insurance
Safeguards your tools against unexpected events, like burglary or accidental damage, ensuring you won’t have to bear the financial burden of replacing them.
Best For
- Burglary protection
- Accidental damage protection
- Anywhere in New Zealand cover
Plumbing Business Insurance Claims Examples
Here are five examples that illustrate the importance of having comprehensive plumbing insurance:
Door Left Unlocked
Your employee accidentally leaves a client’s door unlocked after work, resulting in a burglary. Your public liability insurance could cover the costs associated with the incident.
Painting Damaged on Way Past
While carrying equipment through a customer’s house, an employee knocks over a valuable painting. Your public liability insurance could cover the cost of repair or replacement.
Van broken into and equipment stolen
Thieves break into your work vehicle and steal expensive tools. Your plant/equipment insurance can cover the cost of replacing your tools and your vehicle insurance for repairing your vehicle.
Accidental Pipe Burst
Your employee accidentally bursts a water pipe, resulting in water damage to the customer’s home. Your public liability insurance could cover the repair costs.
Defective Workmanship
A defect in your work leads to significant water damage in a client’s home. This could be covered under your public liability insurance. The cost to fix the defective work could be covered under the defective workmanship extension.
What to Watch Out For With Plumbing Insurance
There are several key points to consider when selecting your plumbing insurance policy
Inclusion of Property Being Worked On or Defective Workmanship Cover
Many public liability policies do not include this cover as standard, and without it, you won’t be covered for anything you’re actively fixing or working on.
Public Liability Limit
Many places such as malls or council buildings require a $10,000,000 or more public liability limit.
Keys and Locks Cover
This is cover for if you lose a key and the locks subsequently need replaced. Not all policies include this cover.
Theft Cover on Tool Insurance
Some policies include cover for open air theft, while some are more restrictive.
Excess
The excess is the amount you pay towards a claim. A higher excess often means a lower premium, but it also means higher costs if you need to claim.
Subcontractors
If you use subcontractors, make sure they’re covered by your policy. Not all insurance policies automatically include them.
How Much Does Plumbing Insurance Cost?
The cost of plumbing insurance varies significantly, depending on factors like:
- The size and turnover of your business.
- Your geographical location.
- Who is being covered (employees, subcontractors, etc.).
- Your claims history.
- The level and types of cover required.
For a small business wanting public liability cover, it could start from as little as $300 a year, while for larger businesses with many vehicles and employees, it could be in the thousands. Contact us to get an indication of cost or a full quotation.
Claiming on Your Plumbing Insurance
In the unfortunate event you need to claim on your insurance, we at Gerrards Insurance Brokers are here to handle the process on your behalf. Our claims experts work hard to make sure you receive the cover you need, relieving you of any additional stress in already trying times.
Purchasing Your Plumbing Insurance
Choosing and purchasing the right insurance for your business can be a daunting task. That’s why Gerrards Insurance Brokers are here to help. We guide you through the process, ensuring you get the right cover at the best price.
We work with an array of insurers including Vero, NZI, QBE, Ando, AIG, TLC, UANZ, and more, to provide you with a comprehensive range of options.
Conclusion
Insuring your plumbing business in New Zealand is an absolute necessity. It helps you mitigate the risks associated with your business, providing financial stability and peace of mind. At Gerrards Insurance Brokers, we understand the unique challenges your industry faces and can help you secure the best insurance coverage for your needs. So, contact us today and let us help you protect your business.
