Prepare details of the exact trade activities, turnover, employees and subcontractor payments, work locations and site types, requested limits, claims history, tools, property, plant and vehicles. Also disclose work at height, hot work, excavation, project values, principal-contractor responsibilities and relevant contract requirements. Read the detailed guidance.

Vehicles used for trade work may require Commercial Motor cover rather than a personal motor policy. Tools carried in the vehicle usually need separate tools or General Property cover. Disclose business use, modifications, accessories, fit-outs, towing and trailers so the policy reflects the actual risk. Read the detailed guidance.

Disclose the work subcontractors perform, payments made, who directs the work, contractual responsibility, licences and insurance arrangements. A subcontractor’s policy is not your policy, and a certificate of currency does not prove every activity is covered. Whether a worker is treated as a contractor for Workers Compensation can depend on statutory tests, not just invoicing. Read the detailed guidance.

A broker can help classify the actual trade activities and assess exposures such as work at height or depth, excavation, hot work, hazardous sites, tools, vehicles, plant, subcontractors and contract conditions. The broker can then compare insurer terms and assist with policy changes and claims. Read the detailed guidance.

Contract Works Insurance can cover eligible physical loss or damage to construction works and materials during a project. Whether a tradie needs it depends on the contract and project arrangement. Do not assume the head contractor’s policy covers you—confirm the insured parties, work and materials, excesses, exclusions and cover period. Public Liability is not a substitute. Read the detailed guidance.

A Business Insurance policy can often combine sections such as property, liability, tools and business interruption. Commercial Motor, Contract Works, Professional Indemnity, Cyber, Management Liability and some plant risks may remain separate. Combining covers is not automatically cheaper or broader, so compare the complete terms and limits. Read the detailed guidance.

Common claims include accidental property damage, third-party injury, stolen or damaged tools, vehicle incidents and physical damage to contract works. The relevant policy and exclusions depend on the trade, activity and circumstances, so claims and potential claims should be reported promptly. Read the detailed guidance.

Tools can be insured under a General Property section or a standalone policy, using specified-item or blanket limits. Cover may include theft, fire, accidental damage and transit, but vehicle-storage, overnight-security and forced-entry conditions commonly apply. Larger plant and equipment may need separate cover. Read the detailed guidance.

Public Liability can respond to eligible third-party injury or property-damage claims arising from trade activities and may include legal defence costs. Treatment of subcontractors, excesses and activity restrictions varies between policies, and contracts or licences may specify a minimum limit. Read the detailed guidance.

Tradies commonly consider Public Liability, tools and general property cover, plant and equipment, Commercial Motor, Workers Compensation and Contract Works. Professional Indemnity may be relevant where design or advice is provided, while Management Liability, Cyber Insurance or Personal Accident cover may also be suitable. The right mix depends on the trade, work performed, business structure, contracts and assets. Read the detailed guidance.