In 2015, Britain faced the largest skills shortage it’s ever seen. The country was in desperate need for plumbers, builders, and engineers, among other tradesmen. While this gap is slowly narrowing, the country is still looking for new tradesmen to enter the various industries.
But, why are people veering away from these professions?
Well, it could have something to do with the amount of training required. It could also be that these jobs come with their own set of unique risks. And, the only way to minimize these risks is with the right insurance
Luckily, today, as a plumber, there are loads of great insurance policies available to choose from and they don’t have to cost a fortune. Read on to find out more about the 7 reasons you should get plumber insurance.
1. Exposure to Hazardous Substances
This may sound like a strange reason to get plumber liability insurance. But, even plumbers have to face biohazardous waste on a regular basis. With this in mind, it’s essential you cover your back.
Exposure to hazardous substances is common. Some of these include:
- Lead
- Asbestos
- Solvents
- Mould and mildew
Despite the fact that modern buildings don’t use asbestos, this was a common material before now. Asbestos can cause serious health issues like cancer and various respiratory infections.
2. Working in Dangerous Conditions
Different tradesmen work in different conditions, and plumbers are no exception. If you have to fix a sink, the likelihood is, you have to crouch down and stay down for long periods of time.
Simply bending down and hunching can cause back and neck problems. You may also find that you have to work at heights to fix a client’s problem.
When working at height, you’re more likely to have an accident. Unfortunately, trips and falls can be dangerous and even fatal in some cases.
3. Heavy Lifting
When training to become a plumber, you get the right training through college and work placements. This includes using all the tools correctly as well as undertaking normal activities like lifting. But, while most know to lift with their knees and not their backs, it’s easy to forget.
If you do lift heavy objects, you may find yourself with back pain. You may also injure yourself, leaving you bed bound for long periods of time.
With the right insurance, you don’t have to worry about taking time off work. Instead, you’ll have time to recover knowing that you’re still receiving some form of income or compensation for your health condition.
4. Injury From Tools
Another reason to get insurance is in case you get an injury from using your work tools. Aside from getting insurance for an injury, you can insure the tools themselves.
This means that if someone steals your tools or you lose them, your insurance will cover the costs of replacing them. This goes for both hand tools and power tools.
You should also extend the insurance to cover tools that you leave in your van or vehicle overnight. It’s worth mentioning that this may add to your premium significantly.
Trusted for over 35 years
Providing insurance and services to businesses since 19845. Exposure to Electricity
It’s no secret that water and electricity don’t go hand in hand. Has anyone ever told you not to go swimming during a lightning storm? Well, if not, consider yourself warned. The combination of the two can lead to serious injury or death in many cases.
When starting a new project, it’s important the home or business owner tells you about any electrical faults so you can take the right precautions. In case of an accident, your insurance will cover the costs.
6. Biohazardous Materials
Aside from the hazardous substances above, it’s not uncommon for plumbers to work with raw sewage and other biohazardous materials like rodent droppings. Other types of biohazardous materials include:
- Blood
- Bodily fluids
- Human cell lines
These contain bacteria and other diseases that can lead to serious health conditions. This is especially true if you’re working on large projects that involve working with main pipelines that link to other residential and commercial properties.
7. Burns and Cuts
As with any trade, you’re more likely to get cuts and burns as a plumber. While some may be minor, others can be more serious and lead to infections which can affect your overall health.
The key is to wear the right protective gear. For example:
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Trousers
- Steel toe cap boots
- Protective eyewear
Yes, hot water can burn you but don’t forget about steam. Hot steam can cause more damage than boiling water in some instances. When choosing your insurance, make sure that it includes these types of injuries.
Public Liability Insurance
Whether you work as a residential or commercial plumber, public liability insurance will protect you against claims.
For example, if a member of the public hurts themselves as a result of the work you do. There could also be damage to a property you work on. In these cases, your insurance company will cover the costs.
It’s easy to make mistakes. If you work on an appliance in a client’s home, there may be a fault resulting in extensive property damage such a large leak. Worse yet, this can lead to further complications if not restored straight away.
Public liability insurance will help you cover the costs without having to invest your personal finances into fixing the issue.
Plumber Insurance Doesn’t Have to Cost You a Fortune!
One of the biggest reasons tradesmen don’t get plumber insurance is because of the high costs. But, what if we told you that plumber liability insurance doesn’t have to cost you a fortune?
That’s right. At Tradesman Saver we have a simple quotation process that allows you to find out how much your insurance will cost you before making a commitment.
Visit our Get a Quote page today or phone us. One of our friendly team members will be happy to find you the right coverage for your business.
