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What is tradie insurance?

Insurance for tradies helps cover the cost of common risks and claims, such as third-party injuries, accidental property damage, and stolen tools.

You’re a top-notch tradie, but mistakes and accidents can happen to anyone. Everyday risks could put financial strain on your business. That’s why many tradies choose business insurance to help cover them when things go wrong.

BizCover offers different levels of cover to suit the needs of self-employed tradies and small business owners, from electricians and plumbers to handymen, carpenters, and more.

A happy tradie wearing a hard hat and safety vest at work.

Why do tradespeople need insurance

Tradespeople often need business insurance to help protect them from potential risks created by their business activities. These may include things such as completing complex projects, managing employees, or hiring subcontractors.

Tradies may also need business insurance to meet legal and contractual requirements and cover some unexpected costs.

Enter a jobsite.

Lease a workshop.

Become licensed.

Work as a contractor or sub-contractor.

Pay legal costs if you face a liability claim.

We cover over 800 tradie occupations

Find tailored insurance options for your trade.

Types of trades we cover

Business insurance is essential for many types of trades, including carpenters, electricians, painters, tilers, roofers and many more.

Common insurance cover for tradespeople

We offer a range of policies designed to cover your business, tools, and stock. Build an insurance package that suits your needs and buy in minutes.

Personal Accident & Illness

Covers individuals for loss of income if unable to work as a result of an injury or illness in or outside of work. Limits apply.

Personal Accident insurance

Public Liability

Covers compensation costs and legal fees if you negligently cause injury to a member of the public or damage to property.

Public Liability insurance

Portable Equipment

Covers you for loss and damage to your tools and stock due to theft, fire and other perils listed in the wording.

Tool cover

Professional Indemnity

Covers financial losses and legal fees as a result of alleged or actual negligence in your professional services or advice.

Statutory Liability Insurance

Covers costs, fines and penalties as a result of unintentional breaches of key legislation in the operation of your business.

Statutory coverage

How much does business insurance for tradespeople cost?

On average, business insurance for tradies costs $91 per month with BizCover*. However, the cost of your policies will depend on different factors, such as the services you provide and the size of your business.

How is the cost of insurance calculated?
A tradeswoman working with a device

Factors influencing cost

Risks of the industry 

Cover level amount

Annual turnover

Number of employees

Claims history

*Customer Average Monthly Payment Report is based on 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 and presented as a guide only. It may not reflect pricing for your particular business, as individual criteria will apply.

Get cover that works for your trade

With BizCover, you can choose different cover levels to suit your business needs, including Public Liability limits up to $20 million.
This is the most you will be paid out if you need to make a claim (the total amount payable may be less, depending on the insurer’s decision and assessment of your claim. All claims outcomes are determined by the insurer.).

Cover levels to choose from

  • $5M
  • $20M

Cover levels to choose from

  • $500 weekly benefit (accident only)
  • $4K weekly benefit

Underinsurance

We know it’s tempting to select a lower level of cover to reduce premiums, but this can leave businesses shocked and insufficiently covered when making a claim.

Ways underinsurance catches business owners out:

Inflation

With inflation, the cost of living and doing business increases. Remember to over yourself, your tools and assets for the rising costs of replacing or covering them, not what you paid for them – you may be surprised at the difference.

Not covering the full cost of your risks

If you select cover levels for less than the value you may be found liable – left out of pocket when it comes to claims time. It’s important to review your risks and determine how much you will need to cover any claim that may come your way.

A tradeswoman working with a device

Factors influencing cost

Risk of the industry

Cover level amount

Annual turnover

Number of employees

Claims history

*Customer Average Monthly Payment Report is based on 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 and presented as a guide only. It may not reflect pricing for your particular business, as individual criteria will apply.

Get cover that works with the risks of your business

Select different cover amounts for each policy listed below.
This is the most you will be paid out if you need to make a claim.

Cover levels to choose from

  • $5M
  • $20M

Cover levels to choose from

  • $500 weekly benefit (accident only)
  • $4K weekly benefit

Unsure how much to choose? Think about:

Statutory professional requirements

Cover required by contracts

Number of employees being covered

Your contract value

Worst case scenario claim size

Underinsurance

We know it’s tempting to select a lower level of cover to reduce premiums, but this can leave businesses shocked and insufficiently covered when making a claim.

Ways underinsurance catches business owners out:

Inflation

With inflation, the cost of living and doing business increases. Remember to over yourself, your tools and assets for the rising costs of replacing or covering them, not what you paid for them – you may be surprised at the difference.

Not covering the full cost of your risks

If you select cover levels for less than the value you may be found liable – left out of pocket when it comes to claims time. It’s important to review your risks and determine how much you will need to cover any claim that may come your way.

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We’re not ones to blow our own trumpet, but we are pretty proud of our innovative insurance platform, outstanding team, and stellar workplace.

See How Much Others Have Saved By Purchasing a Policy Through BizCover

Colette

Disability Care Worker from

NSW

Saved

$1,200

on

Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance

Disability care worker
Andrea

Beautician from

VIC

Saved

$1,500

on

Business insurance Pack and,
Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance

Andrea, Beautician saved $1,500 on Professional Indemnity, Public Liability and Business Insurance
Deborah

Cleaner from

VIC

Saved

$3,600

on

Public Liability insurance

Cleaner from VIC saved on Business Insurance with BizCover
Lance

Electrician from

ACT

Saved

$800

on

Public Liability insurance

Electrician saved $800 on Public Liability insurance
Stephen

IT Professional from

VIC

Saved

$1,500

on

Information Technology Liability insurance

IT Professional saved on IT Liability with BizCover
Linda

Restaurant owner from

NSW

Saved

$1,000

on

Business Insurance Pack and
Public Liability insurance

Restaurant owner saved in Business Insurance with BizCover

Frequently asked questions

Some types of insurance may be compulsory for tradies to become licensed, work, or meet the terms of a contract.

Public Liability insurance is required to receive and maintain an electrical contractor license in most states and territories. Plumbers in Tasmania and Victoria must have a Public Liability policy to become licensed. Public Liability insurance is usually required for tradespeople, sole traders, and subcontractors to enter worksites. A policy may also be required to lease commercial space for your business (such as an office, workshop, or warehouse).

Professional Indemnity insurance is required for certain types of building practitioners in Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia. Starting in July 2026, it will also be mandatory for registered building practitioners in New South Wales. Always check the laws and regulations in your state or territory to understand your insurance obligations.

Personal Accident & Illness is not mandatory for tradies, but it can provide important protections for you and your business.

Sole traders and subcontractors are typically not covered by workers’ comp schemes. If you are injured or fall seriously ill, you may miss out on weeks or months of income while you recover. A Personal Accident & Illness policy may provide a weekly income benefit or lump sum payment to cover lost income, permanent disability, or accidental death (subject to policy wording and limits).

Sole trader and self-employed tradies may need Public Liability insurance to receive a trades license, work as a contractor or subcontractor, or enter job sites.

Even if a Public Liability policy is not required for your work, it can still help protect your business. Public Liability insurance could help you manage the cost of third-party injury and property damage claims. These are some of the most common claims that small businesses face and can be expensive to pay out of pocket.

Every tradie business is unique. BizCover offers Public Liability cover levels of $5 million, $10 million, $15 million, and $20 million (cover amounts may vary by occupation).

When choosing your cover amounts, you may want to consider:

  • The size of the jobs that you are working on – The higher the value, the higher risk. You may want to increase your Public Liability insurance accordingly.

Your business contracts – Is there a minimum amount of cover stipulated in your contract? Meeting contractual obligations is essential.

Some tradespeople may be required to have Professional Indemnity insurance to work in some states and territories. For example, plumbers in Victoria must have minimum levels of Professional Indemnity cover to become licensed. Professional Indemnity insurance is also a common requirement for different types of building practitioners.

Always check with your state or territory licensing body to understand the insurance requirements for your trade and location.

BizCover can help tradespeople cover different work activities. We make it easy for a ‘jack of all trades’ to protect themselves from common business risks.

Hear from our customers

Feefo stars

4.8/5

Feefo

Awesome and saved me $100 a month

Chrisptopher B

Easy to use and beat my current insurances quote by a long shot- happy.

Thomas T

Easy to navigate and pay my Public Liability Insurance.

Steve

I was happy with the range of quotes, the ease of which to complete my transaction and the speediness.

Ali

Fantastic very smooth easy experience, Highly recommend

Ben

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