Damage to someone else’s property

You’re replacing a kitchen faucet when an old shut-off valve fails, and water soaks an expensive rug before you can isolate the line. The homeowner asks you to cover the damage. Whether or not you think you’re responsible for the damage, a general liability policy could help cover those types of third-party claims.

Protection for your business property

After a weekend storm, you find several inches of water on the storage area floor — damaging pipe threaders, fittings, and key paperwork. A business owner’s policy (BOP) bundles general liability, commercial property protection, and business interruption coverage to help pay for cleanup, equipment replacement, and lost income — so you can get back quickly to serving clients.

Many plumbers choose a BOP because it offers more protection than a stand-alone general liability policy without usually costing much more — a great option if you’re established or planning to grow.

Care for sick or injured employees

One of your plumbers strains their back while carrying a new water heater down a set of narrow stairs. Workers’ compensation insurance can help to cover their medical bills and provide wage replacement as they recover. 

Having workers’ comp insurance is often legally required and can protect your business from costly claims, as well as taking care of your crew if they get sick or injured on the job. Even if you operate solo, we recommend workers’ comp, because many health insurance policies won’t cover work-related injuries.

Damaged or stolen equipment

You stop for lunch between service calls and come back to find your van has been broken into — your press tool, pipe threader, and copper fittings are gone. Contractor’s equipment and small tools insurance, also known as inland marine insurance, can help pay to replace or repair your stolen or damaged equipment, whether it’s on the move or at a jobsite.

Honest mistakes and negligence claims

Even the most skilled plumbers can face disputes over completed work. Say you install a new shower system, but a small leak behind the wall goes unnoticed and causes hidden water damage over time. Adding a contractor’s errors and omissions endorsement to your general liability policy could help cover repair costs and protect you against a negligence claim.

Peace of mind for your customers

You’ve been awarded a contract for a multi-unit plumbing installation, but the property owner requests proof the job will be finished as promised. That’s where a surety bond comes in. It’s a financial guarantee that protects your client if you can’t meet your contractual obligations. If the job isn’t finished or doesn’t meet agreed-upon standards, the bond can compensate the customer for their losses.