Electrical Contractors Liability Insurance
At Clarke Williams we recognise the complexities of running your own business and understand the challenges of finding the right cover which not only protects your assets and staff but also complies with industry contract requirements and regulation. From one man band electricians to electrical contracting firms and specialist electrical engineers, Clarke Williams are here to help.
Our clients include electrical contractors (whether working as the main contractor or subcontractor to the principal), specialist electrical engineers carrying out design activities and those in high risk locations including data centres, manufacturing plants, sub stations and power plants.
Although as an electrical contractor you have to make sure you and your business are protected in case a claim arises as a result of injury to members of the public, damage to your client’s property and illness/injury of your labour force, it does not have to be complicated.
We are a specialist liability insurance broker who can quickly and painlessly provide you with terms from the leading insurers to enable you to make an informed decision on your insurance policy. We are here to discuss your requirements and provide a tailored quote which will ensure that your business has the correct cover at a competitive price.
What Insurance does an Electrical Contractor need?
Whether you are self-employed or have a team of employees working for you, it is essential you have adequate cover to protect your liabilities.
Public and Products Liability Insurance covers you for bodily injury to third parties or property damage which arises in the course of your daily activities, for example damage to a client’s premises or neighbouring property whilst you are undertaking work. Nowadays, it is becoming more prevalent for Contractors to be asked to have enhanced limits for their Contractors Liability Insurance and at Clarke Williams can provide Public Liability limits from £1,000,000 to in excess of £10,000,000.
There are a number of extensions we can include within our Public and Products Liability Insurance which many policies do not include:
- Defective Workmanship – provides cover for damage or injury caused as a result of your faulty workmanship (but not the damage to the part which was supplied or worked on).
- Financial loss – provides cover for pecuniary losses or expenses sustained by a third party as a result of a defect or unsuitability of works, which do not cause bodily injury or property damage
- Efficacy – provides cover for loss or damage to property arising from the failure of a service or product due to its inability to fulfil its intended function e.g. alleged failure of an alarm or CCTV equipment.
Employers Liability Insurance covers you for liability arising from employees who sustain an injury or illness during the course of their employment with you. It is a legal requirement for all employers within the UK to hold this cover and the minimum statutory limit is £5,000,000 however most insurers provide £10,000,000 as standard
You may need Employers Liability Insurance for someone who works for you if:
- You deduct national insurance and income tax from the money you pay them
- You have the right to control where and when they work and how they do it
- You supply their work materials and equipment
- Your contract states that you are responsible for their actions and supervision of such
Contract Works Insurance covers work in the course of construction before it is handed over to the principal or employer on practical completion. It can pay to repair or to redo the work that is in progress if it is damaged by an insured event like fire, flood, storm, vandalism or theft and includes both the permanent and temporary works.
Construction Professional Indemnity Insurance also known as Design and Construct Professional Indemnity, protects contractors and sub contracted specialists (such as electrical engineers) for allegations relating to errors in their work or incorrect design.
We can also cater for Hired In Plant, Own Plant, Tools and Commercial Fleet Insurance.
Why Clarke Williams Insurance Brokers?
- High risk trades catered for
- Cover provided for ‘Hot Works’
- We work with insurers who are comfortable with a high proportion of Bona Fide Subcontracted Labour
- We have access to specialist markets that can provide policies with no height and depth limits if required
- Accommodation of high risk locations such as data centres, manufacturing plants, sub stations and power plants
- Over 50 years experience and technical knowledge
- We are independent insurance brokers and we only work for you, the customer.
- All staff are UK based – No call centres
- Dedicated account managers with specialist knowledge in your industry
Want to speak to one of our specialists?
Electrical Contractor quote
contact our
Liability specialists today.
Telephone: 01732 252 898
Liability specialists today on 01732 252 898
or submit your details below
Submit your details for a quote
What additional covers can be included?
We can provide quotes covering you and your business, ranging from just Public Liability and Employers Liability to a quote covering your Tools, Plant, Efficacy and Personal Accident.
Some of the examples of optional extensions we can include are:
- Tools– this covers your business tools against theft damage or loss
- Own Plant – this covers any large items of equipment that you own
- Hired in Plant – this covers hired equipment and any costs that you will become liable for if they are damaged or stolen
- Efficacy – this protects you and your business if a product or service you have provided has failed to work as intended
- Contract Works – this covers you in the event that you are unable to fulfil a contract – for more information click here
- Personal Accident – this provides financial protection in the event you are unable to work due to sickness/injury
Be safe in the knowledge that your business is protected for all eventualities
What level of Liability Insurance will an Electrician need?
Both Public Liability and Employers Liability contain limits for the maximum amount that an insurer will pay in the event of a single claim or the maximum limit that they will pay during the course of your insurance policy.
Most insurers provide Public Liability limits of either £1million, £2million, £5million and £10million for Electrical Contractors and our team of specialist liability brokers will discuss these limits with you to make sure they meet your requirements.
The minimum amount legally required for Employers Liability is £5million but nearly all insurers provide £10million to make sure you are adequately covered.
Can I Cover My Premises As Well?
We can cover your entire business including your premises and all liabilities associated with this. The products we use are extensive enough to provide protection for the majority of businesses however if a bespoke portfolio is required this can also be arranged.
Claims Examples
“It will never happen to our company” Still not convinced? Here are some examples of actual claims experienced by other electrical contractors:
- Serious injury – an incorrectly installed light had malfunctioned, resulting in electrocution of a member of the public.
- Public Liability and consequential losses – An electrical contractor upgraded the control equipment at a processing plant. However, the upgrades were performed incorrectly, which resulted in total failure of the control unit and production was halted whilst repairs were carried out, this led to a substantial claim for consequential losses.
- Loss of third party property – An electrical contractor incorrectly wired an industrial refrigerator, the refrigerator stopped working and the food inventory spoiled.
Best Ways to Mitigate a Potential Liability claim:
Unfortunately claims do happen but below are some of the ways that a chance of a claim can be reduced.
Training
Undertake regular training for managers, employees and sub-contractors to ensure all are aware and compliant with health and safety procedures, best practice and industry changes.
Make sure personal protective equipment (PPE) is being worn
Employers have a duty to provide and police the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work including safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses.
Document Your Work
We would always recommend that clients document their work including photographs and videos if possible. Keep an archive of all of your jobs, and the relevant documentation relating to them. If a problem arises in the future you will have the appropriate evidence to prove that your part of the job was done correctly.
Always Follow Code
The best way to avoid liability arising as an electrical contractor is to always follow proper procedure, and know and always follow the applicable code. Not only is this the best way to avoid accidents and situations which lead to claims, but it is also a way to effectively rule yourself out as the cause of any incident resulting from a job which involved many contractors.
Choose Subcontractors Wisely
A final way to avoid claims is to only work with trusted subcontractors. Work with those who display a high level of professionalism in their work and avoid those who have reputation of cutting corners, even if it means paying a little more. Just as with your own employees, supervision is essential. Even if a subcontractors is performing non-electrical work you should conduct inspections and reviews. Do check that they hold an appropriate level of public liability insurance and keep a copy of their policy information on file for at least 6 years.
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