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Plumber insurance
Insurance for plumbers and plumbing businesses: the public liability your licence or contracts ask for, cover for your tools and van, and the warranty insurance some states require. Tell us you’re a plumber and a licensed broker compares quotes for you.
- Plumber set as your occupation (ANZSIC 3231)
- Public liability, tools and vehicle in one request
What insurance do plumbers need?
Most plumbers start with public liability and add tools, the vehicle and income protection. In Victoria, a plumbing licence won’t be issued or renewed without proof of insurance: public liability and completed work insurance of at least $5 million, plus plumbing insurance for work that needs a compliance certificate.
Elsewhere, head contractors, builders and commercial clients usually set the public liability limit.
Victoria’s plumbing insurance rules
Set by Ministerial Orders and administered by the Building and Plumbing Commission. Working as a licensed plumber without the required cover is an offence.
| Insurance | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Public liability and completed work | $5 million for any one occurrence. |
| Plumbing insurance, domestic work | $50,000 for any one claim or series of claims related to a compliance certificate. |
| Plumbing insurance, non-domestic work | $100,000 for any one claim or series of claims related to a compliance certificate. |
| When a compliance certificate is needed | Plumbing work with a total value of $750 or more, including labour, materials, appliances and fixtures. |
The covers plumbers usually hold
| Cover | Why |
|---|---|
| Public liability | Injury or property damage your work causes, such as water damage to a client’s home, subject to the policy. |
| Tools and equipment | Pipe benders, press tools, drain cameras and power tools. |
| Commercial vehicle | The van or ute. Vehicle policies only include a small amount for tools. |
| Income protection (broker) | Pays you if illness or injury stops you working. |
| Workers compensation | In NSW and Victoria, any apprentice means you need a policy. |
Residential building work above a state threshold can also need warranty insurance. Our tradie insurance page lists the thresholds for NSW, Queensland, Victoria and WA.
What plumber public liability won’t cover
These need other cover, or aren’t insurable:
- Redoing your own faulty work.Public liability excludes the cost of fixing your workmanship. It responds to the damage the work causes.
- Your tools and drain camera.Tools insurance
- An injured apprentice.That’s workers compensation.
How to compare plumber insurance
Plumber insurance questions
Do plumbers need public liability insurance?
In Victoria it’s a licence requirement: at least $5 million public liability and completed work cover. Elsewhere, contracts and clients usually require it.
How much public liability does a plumber need?
At least what your licence or contract requires, such as $5 million in Victoria. Limits are commonly offered at $5 million, $10 million and $20 million.
Does public liability cover water damage from my work?
It can cover damage your work causes to a client’s property, subject to the policy’s terms and exclusions. It doesn’t pay to redo the plumbing itself.
What is plumbing insurance in Victoria?
Insurance linked to compliance certificates, with minimums of $50,000 for domestic work and $100,000 for non-domestic work. It’s required alongside public liability to hold a licence.
Can plumbers compare insurance online?
Yes. Plumbers can request quotes online. A licensed broker compares our insurer panel and emails your quotes.
Do plumbers need professional indemnity insurance?
Usually not for hands-on plumbing. Professional indemnity covers advice and design, so it matters if you design hydraulic systems or certify other people’s work. Victoria’s plumbing insurance for work that needs a compliance certificate is a separate cover set by the Building and Plumbing Commission, not professional indemnity.
Does my private car policy cover my plumbing van?
Often not. Private policies can exclude or restrict business use, and a van fitted out with racking, pipe and tools is a work vehicle. A commercial motor policy covers it for business use and can be added to the same request.
Keep reading
More industries that compare online
Sources
- Building and Plumbing Commission: Plumber insurance requirements
- Building and Plumbing Commission: Plumbing compliance certificates
- icare: Do I need workers compensation insurance?
- WorkSafe Victoria: Do I need to register for WorkCover insurance?
- Allianz Australia: Commercial vehicle insurance
- business.gov.au: Types of business insurance
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