by constructaquote - 18 May 2017
As a roofer, you work in one of the highest risk areas in the UK. Your occupation also necessitates the purchase and use of expensive tools and materials.
Investing in insurance cover to protect yourself and your work is particularly important for your occupation and the future of your business. This way, you can fully concentrate on providing great service and results rather than worrying about the serious financial implications of a potential accident occurring.
While employers’ liability insurance is legally required, additional insurance cover is optional but highly recommended. Here’s the three main types of insurance cover you should consider purchasing to protect yourself and your roofing business…
Although you’re not legally required to take out public liability insurance, it’s a sensible and worthwhile investment for every roofer. It is usually a requirement for any public sector project to employ the services of contractors that are able to demonstrate they have public liability insurance, this is lucrative work that you could lose if you do not have such cover in place. Public liability insurance is designed to protect you in the event of damage to property or injury to another person as a result of your roofing work. Even a single roof tile could fall and cause significant damage to a neighbouring property or severe personal injury to a passer-by. The person affected may choose to sue you for damages in relation to the accident. If you are found liable, this could be an extremely costly legal expense. Therefore, a simple mistake could potentially cost you an unlimited amount and it’s highly advisable you invest in insurance to protect yourself. Public liability insurance will usually cover you for costs of £1 million, to provide for all potential eventualities.
Contractors all risk is a further insurance policy that roofers often invest in alongside public liability insurance. Although again not legally required, this insurance is a highly advisable expense to protect your investment in expensive tools and materials. Contractors all risk insurance is basically designed to insure your tools and materials against theft, loss or damage. Therefore, if such an incident occurs, it means you won’t incur the cost required to replace the materials that are so essential for your roofing work. Contractors all risk policies equally protect your business tools and materials against natural damage by fire, floods and storms and malicious instances of damage. With this type of insurance cover you can easily choose additional covers to suit the individual needs of your business. For example, additional cover can be purchased to compensate for demolition and site clearance, drain clearance expenses and protection for insured items in transit.
If your business employs workers in any capacity or subcontracts work, then you’re legally required to take out employers’ liability insurance. Employers’ Liability Insurance is a particularly vital form of cover in potentially dangerous occupations like roofing. This insurance can provide assurance that you will be financially covered if an employee receives an injury or suffers from a medical condition as a result of the work undertaken for your business. Employers’ Liability Insurance will provide both compensation and legal fees for claiming employees, so costs will be covered through your insurance. It’s a legal obligation for you to have at least £5 million of cover, although constructaquote.com provides £10 million as their standard amount of cover. It’s essential you arrange this insurance cover prior to hiring your first employee, as you can face fines of up to £2500 for every single day this insurance is not taken out.
If you’re contemplating taking out insurance cover to protect yourself and your business, then constructaquote.com can help. We have 25 years’ experience in insuring tradesmen. Get a quote online or call our customer services on 08081 68 68 68 to easily arrange your insurance cover.
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