Subbie Insurance: Do You Need Public Liability Cover?
If you've decided to work for yourself as a construction subbie, then you'll have to take responsibility for things that your previous employers used to deal with. For example, you'll have to decide how to insure your business and yourself.
While some insurance coverage may not be essential; other coverage is. Will the companies you work for cover you for public liability insurance or do you need to arrange it yourself?
Are You Covered By Site Policies?
Construction companies buy their own public liability insurance. This protects the company financially if something happens to a third party in the course of construction work. The fact that a company you're subbing for has this kind of policy doesn't, however, mean that you are also covered.
Typically, companies insure themselves and their employees for public liability. They don't take out coverage for any workers that they hire on a temporary contract basis to do specific jobs. This is something you have to do for yourself.
Can You Skip Public Liability Insurance?
If you've never had a problem with somebody making a public liability claim because of your work, then you might think that you can get away without this kind of insurance. This isn't a good idea.
If there was an accident and someone was injured because of something you did on site, then you would be liable for any insurance claims. Even if the problem was partly the fault of the construction company that hired you or the contractor that used you as a subbie, then you might have to share responsibility for any costs with them.
If you have public liability coverage, then your insurance company would handle these kinds of claims. If you skip it, then you would have to pay. This could break your business and your personal finances.
Plus, many companies will only hire subbies with proof of public liability cover. Companies check that you have a policy and that it is up to date before you're allowed to work on their sites. If you don't have coverage, then you may limit work opportunities, especially on larger construction projects. This could restrict your income and make it harder to build your business.
To find out more about public liability insurance for subbies, contact insurance companies with experience of working in the construction sector. They will be able to help you find the right coverage to protect you and your work.
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