As a professional, you do your best to do excellent work for every client. The electrical systems you install or repair must be in top condition so that people can use electrical appliances and gadgets safely and without hassle.
But what happens when you miss out on a faulty outlet that’s prone to sparking? Your business could face dire consequences, especially if you do not have electrician public liability insurance.
Oversight Comes with Costs
Suppose your client mindlessly told you that one of the outlets in his home tends to spark whenever they plug something. You reassured them that you’d check it out and repair what needs fixing. So you got to work, did ocular inspections, tested cables and replaced those showing signs of wear and tear. You didn’t find a sparky outlet, but you’re confident that you’d checked everything behind the walls.
Unfortunately, your oversight wouldn’t go unnoticed. The client found that the problematic outlet still emits bright sparks. The next time they plugged in an appliance, a short-circuit occurred. The socket in question emitted sparks and black smoke while the plastic covering melted. The appliance also smelled strongly of burnt plastic.
The result: your client is incensed with your negligence. He wants you to shoulder the cost of replacing the damaged wiring and the household appliance.
Doing work for free and paying for a damaged appliance may not seem like a big deal, but for small businesses and solo electrical contractors, the cost could set them back for a month or so. If the electrical failure started a fire, extensive damage occurred to the client’s property and someone got injured, the compensation costs alone could put a small business in the red.
You can protect your livelihood from mishaps, oversight and accidents by considering public liability insurance.
Public Liability Insurance: What Is It?
New electricians may yet be unfamiliar with liability insurance. Public liability insurance for tradies can cover you financially if clients or third-party individuals file compensation claims against you or your company for personal injuries or damage to property.
Most states in Australia have made public liability insurance mandatory for registered electrical contractors. This insurance offers protection for tradies who face liability claims due to negligence or other unforeseen events, such as a pair of pliers slipping from your grasp and accidentally crushing delicate and expensive china on a table directly below.
Coverage of Public Liability Insurance
What does public liability insurance cover for you? The purpose of public liability insurance is to protect the compensation claims of the owners of the property you or your employee accidentally damaged. It will also cover the medical costs of third-party individuals (clients and non-clients) who get injured because of your negligence or business activities.
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, disaster can happen. Preparedness is your only shield in these cases.
Imar Insurance can help. We provide public liability insurance for electricians and electrical contractors from WA to QLD and process insurance claims in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. You may request a quote for public liability insurance that’s tailored specifically for you and your trade. If you prefer talking to our insurance experts, fill out our contact form with your complete details, and we’ll call you as quickly as possible.
Don’t let sparking sockets become the downfall of your career as an electrician or contractor. Get insured with Imar Insurance today.
To the extent that any material on this page may be considered advice, it does not take into account your objectives, needs or financial situation. You should consider whether the advice is appropriate for you and review any relevant Product Disclosure Statement and policy wording before taking out an insurance policy.
