PLUMBERS INSURANCE
OUR EXPERIENCE WITH PLUMBERS
Atlantic Plumbers Insurance are a leading Insurance provider for Plumbers. For over 25 years we have successfully serviced the needs of plumbing businesses across Australia. Plumbers have unique Insurance needs and in some states require certain Policy endorsements to ensure the Renewal of your Plumbing Licence.
For Plumbers in Victoria maintaining appropriate Insurance is not optional, it is a compulsory requirement of the Industries Ministerial Order if they want to renew their plumbing license. Atlantic has been arranging Plumbers Liability Policies and forwarding their certificates of currency to the Plumbing Industry Commission, or as it is no known the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) for 25 years.
A key focus in establishing the Ministerial order in Victoria was the “consumer” and protecting them against non-compliant and or faulty workmanship. Queensland Electricians have a similar arrangement. In Victoria every Plumbers Liability Policy to abide by the relevant legislation must have a “Consumer Protection Liability” section which provides a 6 years warranty on works carried out.
ATLANTIC PLUMBERS INSURANCE SERVICES & ADVANTAGES
- Competitive Premiums
- Monthly premiums available at no additional cost
- No paperwork to complete
- Access to a wide range of products and insurers for all classes
- Your claims are handled by your Client Manager at Atlantic Insurance and not a call centre
PLUMBERS COVERAGE CONSIDERATIONS
In addition to Plumbers Liability, there a number of other Insurances a Plumbing Business would typically consider including Contract Works Insurance if working on developments alongside Builders, Motor Fleet and Plant and Equipment Insurances or even the more common Tools of Trade Covers. Click below to find out more information on some of the common policies that we discuss with our Plumber Clients.
Run Off
Cover
Run Off
Cover
The Warranty in your policy provides protection against the costs of rectifying defective workmanship only for 6 years. This warranty does not provide 6 years of cover for personal injury or damage to a premises caused as a result of these defective works. To cover this risk we are able to arrange a “Run-Off” cover which can be kept in place for as long as you think necessary and is negotiated for a substantially reduced premium
TAX AUDIT
INSURANCE
TAX AUDIT
INSURANCE
The ATO continue to target self-employed plumbers for tax audit. Atlantic can set up a policy that will cover your tax audit expenses in the event you are audited by the ATO or other government agencies.
Workers
Compensation
Workers
Compensation
Workers Compensation requirements differ from state to state in Australia. Atlantic Insurance can identify and coordinate insurance to cover your employees against injury at work.
Management
Liability Insurance
Management
Liability Insurance
We recommend to all of our plumbing clients they consider a Management Liability Policy, which provides the Directors, Officers and Employees of your Company against claims arising from negligence in the performance of their duties. Covers include Directors and Officers Liability, Employment Practices Liability, Crime, Statutory Liability and many other covers.
Plant &
Machinery
Plant &
Machinery
Many plumbers own plant and machinery such as excavators, skid steers, and forklifts. We offer a range of policies to cover these items for Theft and Damage along with Third Party Liability if these items are road registered.
Commercial Motor
Insurance
Commercial Motor
Insurance
We have a lot of experience organising both Commercial Motor policies for single vehicles and Commercial Motor Fleet policies. If your business operates a fleet of vehicles, policies can be extended to cover automatic additions and deletions, free windscreen, and many other benefits. These policies will provide protection for your vehicles including, own damage and third party property damage.
Business / Factory Insurance
Business / Factory Insurance
If you own a factory or warehouse we can help with organising cover for your Buildings, Stock and Contents for risks such as Fire, Accidental Damage, Malicious Damage, Water Damage, Impact, Theft, Business Interruption and Glass Breakage.
Income Protection
Insurance
Income Protection
Insurance
Your ability to earn an income needs protection. Through our association with “Atlantic Financial Services” we can provide advice on a range of personal risk insurances, including Income Protection and Life Insurance.
Injury & Illness
Insurance
Injury & Illness
Insurance
If you require a more basic cover from a non-cancelable income protection policy, Atlantic can assist with an Injury and Illness cover with benefit periods up to 5 years and waiting periods from as low as 2 weeks. This will protect your income in the event of injury or illness.
Consumer
Protection
Consumer
Protection
A Victorian Plumbers Liability Policy includes a 6 year warranty to rectify defective workmanship. The minimum requirement automatically included is $50,000 on Domestic Works and $100,000 on Commercial works, including labour and materials. We are now able to provide your business with an option to double these policy limits.
PLUMBERS RISK – OUR OBSERVATIONS
Whilst the CPL (Consumer Protection Liability) of a Victorian Plumbers Liability Policy does provide a level of protection for the consumer, it is an area Insurers have become increasingly mindful of during the past 10 year where property development and home renovations have taken-off. Inevitably this surge in activity is leading to an increased claims activity. The reality is that issuing a compliance certificate for works undertaken does become a means from which the consumer can liaise with the VBA and secure the details of the Plumber and ultimately lodge a claim against their Plumbers Liability Policy.
CURRENT CLAIMS LANDSCAPE
Our experience in assisting to manage the risks of Plumbers and Plumbing Businesses for the past 25 years is extensive and during that time there would not be many claims scenarios that we haven’t seen first hand.
A Plumbers Liability Policy is designed to protect you and your business in the event that a customer, supplier or any other third party suffer a personal injury or damage to their property as a result of your negligence. A Liability policy will help to defend your position in a situation where an allegation or demand is made against you by a third party. As levels of litigation reach all-time highs in Australia we are seeing a continual increase Liability claims where even the most basic of legal responses can incur thousands of dollars. The right insurers are well informed and will help to protect you and your businesses interests when a Liability claim is made against you. As is the case with all Insurance policies you do not want to wait until a claim presents to determine you are not adequately Insured or properly represented.
FAQ's
It is very important that Plumbers work with an Insurance Broker that understands Plumbers. In Victoria, a Plumbers Liability Policy must comply with the Ministerial order and include a 6 year warranty to rectify defective workmanship. Our experienced Client Managers have over 25 years experience looking after the insurance needs of Plumbers.
Our Client Managers will provide your Certificate of Currency directly to the VBA following inception / renewal of your Liability Policy to assist you renew your Plumbers licence.
Yes, providing the allegation made triggers your Liability Policy, a Public Liability Insurer will also cover the defence costs following a claim made against a business.
Whilst the needs will vary depending on the individual circumstances of each business we commonly discuss Tools, Personal Accident and Illness, Contract Works, Motor, Management Liability and Plant / Equipment covers with our Plumbing Clients.
No you cannot unless you are able to qualify that the works are compliant with Plumbing regulations and keep in mind in doing so and issuing the compliance certificate it will be your Insurance that provides the 6 year guarantee and could be triggered in the case of an allegation of faulty workmanship.
Yes. Your customer can contact the VBA who will provide details of your Insurance coverage and can pursue a claim against it. Therefore it is especially important that you attempt to rectify any allegations of defective work as these arise.
NO. Your Insurance Policy only provides coverage up to $50K for rectification of faulty workmanship in a domestic environment and $100K in a commercial faulty workmanship claim.
Your policy does cover instances of personal injury and property damage which arise as a result of your negligence. In this instance you can potentially make a claim against your policy HOWEVER, before doing so our experienced Plumbers Insurance Client Managers would help you determine the merit in claiming. This would take into account the cost of the motor vehicle repair, your current policy excess and potential impact of future policy premiums. This is especially important given the tightening underwriting guidelines of Plumbers Insurers. Our Client Managers can provide more information when you contact us for a quote.
