Public liability insurance for handymen

What this means for the business

Think through a normal month’s work. The useful details are often found in the jobs that differ from the usual routine.

Do not assume that a larger limit also means wider cover. The figure and the scope answer different questions.

The points most likely to change the insurance answer include: a shelf fixing damages a hidden pipe; flat-pack or fittings fall after installation; and tools create a trip hazard in a home. A familiar accident can still fall outside a policy. Use these examples to check what has actually been quoted.

A few minutes with your diary, invoices and contracts should help you confirm: every type of task you offer; height, heat and water work; and maximum job value and any helpers. Keep a copy of the completed answers with the documents that follow.

Read the schedule and endorsements when they arrive. They may contain restrictions that do not appear on the certificate. Keep written answers with the quotation so they can be found later.

Examples worth considering

A quotation should take account of points such as these:

• A shelf fixing damages a hidden pipe
• Flat-pack or fittings fall after installation
• Tools create a trip hazard in a home

They are examples rather than promises of cover. The insurer will still examine what happened and what the policy says.

Take “a shelf fixing damages a hidden pipe” first. Where would it happen, who would be nearby and what property could be affected? The answer may reveal a site, method or customer type that has not appeared elsewhere in the quotation.

Next consider “tools create a trip hazard in a home”. Ask what could stop the damage becoming worse and what evidence would still be available after the site had been cleared.

You are not trying to predict every claim. The point is to see whether the proposed description bears a sensible resemblance to the work.

Information the provider may need

Have the following information ready before you begin:

• Every type of task you offer
• Height, heat and water work
• Maximum job value and any helpers

A trade name rarely tells the whole story. “every type of task you offer”, “height, heat and water work” and “maximum job value and any helpers” give the provider a clearer account of the tasks, people and places involved in the work.

Afterwards, compare the answer with the wording about some trades need qualifications or specialist cover. It should not point in a different direction from the information you supplied.

Two reminders from this page are “some trades need qualifications or specialist cover” and “do not accept excluded jobs casually”; keep them beside the documents when you check the quotation. If the policy takes a different approach to “every type of task you offer”, ask about it before the cover is needed and retain any written reply.

Look for mistakes as soon as the documents arrive, especially in the business name and activity description.

Parts of the policy worth finding

• Some trades need qualifications or specialist cover
• Do not accept excluded jobs casually
• Photograph hidden-service checks

An endorsement can change the standard wording. Check every endorsement listed on the schedule.

Keep these notes with the policy

Put the proposed start date beside the first job that needs cover. There should be no unexplained gap.

Then look at the least typical job you expect to accept. If it falls outside the description, deal with that before taking it on.

Store the documents somewhere another responsible person in the business could find them. That is useful if an incident happens while you are away or unable to deal with it yourself.

There is also a page-specific detail to carry forward: photograph hidden-service checks; check how this affects the jobs you accept and ask for clarification if the policy takes a different approach.