Save money on public liability insurance for electricians
- What is public liability insurance for electricians?
- Why do I need public liability insurance as an electrician?
- How much does public liability insurance for an electrician cost?
- Example of a public liability claim for an electrician
- How do electricians get public liability insurance?
- Public liability insurance for electricians estimated cost per month
What is public liability insurance for electricians?
Public liability insurance covers you and your electrical business against injury or property damage caused to third parties, including clients and members of the public. This includes injury or damage caused by the products you supply.
This type of insurance does not cover injury or damage to yourself and tools or materials you are about to use. For those things you will need additional insurance cover for electricians.
Public liability cover for electricians starts from £1m up to £5m and the amount of coverage you need depends on the environment you work in and what you are working with. The riskier the work the higher the premium you will have to pay.
Why do I need public liability insurance as an electrician?
Even the most conscientious electrician will make a mistake and if your clients are sharing your workspace you will be very aware of the additional danger they can create. Accidents do happen and you should make sure that the client's health and property are covered by anything you have fixed or installed going wrong.
Public liability insurance is not mandatory in the UK for electricians but you might be taken to court by a client if your work has damaged them or their property and this insurance will help to pay for legal fees and damages.
Reputable trade bodies in the UK will not register a new member unless they have the required public liability insurance.
How much does public liability insurance for an electrician cost?
Public liability insurance for electricians is relatively cheap, costing from as little as £5 a month depending on the amount of coverage you want to insure for, the size of your business and the risk associated with your work.
If you have secondary trades like heating and plumbing the premium will probably be higher because you are using more tools and creating more risk.
Insurance companies can offer electricians “insurance bundles” which will also cover other types of insurance including:
- Employers liability insurance - A legal requirement if you have employees
- Tools and business equipment insurance - cover damaged, lost and stolen tools
- Personal accident cover - Insure yourself or you employees against injury or death
- Stock cover - insure your stock against theft and damage
- Contract insurance - making sure you are covered in project based contract work where control is sometimes out of your hands.
Example of a public liability claim for an electrician
A fire was caused by the incorrect installation of downlights in a property where the downlights were not isolated from the loft insulation. Due to heat generated by the lights the insulation in the loft caught fire which spread to the neighbours property and caused extensive damage. The neighbour suffered from smoke inhalation and both families had to live in a hotel for an extensive period until the properties were repaired.
This is the kind of claim that would be attributed to public liability. You will be taken to court where the client and neighbour would try to recoup significant damages.
How do electricians get public liability insurance?
You can quickly protect your electrical business and your clients from injury and damage by completing an online form where you will be asked the following questions.
- Are you trading as an electrician?
- What are your secondary trades, if any?
- What types of environments do you work in?
- Do you work in residential, commercial or both?
- What part of the UK do you work in?
- Are you a sole trader, partnership or Ltd?
- How many years experience do you have running a business as an electrician?
From this basic information our partners at Quotezone will be able to find the cheapest and most comprehensive public liability insurance quotes for electricians in your area.
*The estimations provided on this webpage are independently provided by HaMuch Ltd. Prices are not guaranteed and quotes may vary when using the comparison system based on individual circumstances.
Disclaimer: This information is intended for editorial purposes only and not intended as a recommendation or financial advice.