Trades liability & tools insurance

Get on-site with confidence:
you're protected

One-stop protection for tradies. Public liability and tool of trade cover for builders, painters, plumbers, electricians, and contractors.

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Trades liability — your exposure

$250,000+

Average cost of a third-party injury claim on a worksite, including medical expenses, legal defence, and compensation.

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Equipment collapse Covered

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Property damage Covered

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Third-party injury Up to $20M

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Legal defence Covered

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Underwritten by leading insurers

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AFSL 491165 — licensed in Australia

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Quote & bind online in minutes

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Cover up to $20M per claim

Who is this for?

Built for tradies who work on-site every day

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Builders and carpenters

Whether you're framing houses or fitting kitchens, you need cover for injury and damage claims on every job.

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Painters and decorators

Spills, fumes, and property damage — protect yourself from claims that can arise on any painting job.

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Plumbers and gasfitters

Water damage, gas leaks, and third-party injury claims. Essential cover for every call-out.

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Electricians

Faulty wiring claims, fire damage, and injury — protect your livelihood with the right cover.

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Landscapers and gardeners

Tree removal, irrigation, and earthworks all carry liability risk. Don't work without cover.

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HVAC technicians

Installation and maintenance work creates exposure to property damage and injury claims.

What's covered

Comprehensive protection for tradies

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Public liability

Claims for injury or property damage caused while working on-site — up to $20M per claim.

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Tool of trade protection

Protection when using tools, machinery, and equipment at worksites.

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Products liability

Claims arising from materials or products you supply.

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Legal defence costs

We pay your lawyers even if you didn't do anything wrong — costs paid in addition to your policy limit.

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Completed works

Cover for defects discovered after you finish the job.

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Australia-wide cover

Protection anywhere in Australia.

Real scenarios

How claims happen for tradies

The paint spill disaster

Claim: $65,000

You're painting a client's office and knock over a paint tin. It ruins expensive computer equipment, carpets, and documents. The client sues for property damage and business interruption.

Coverage: Property damage, clean-up, business interruption.

The electrical fire

Claim: $180,000

You complete a wiring job and three weeks later a fault causes a fire. The property owner sues for damages. Investigators, expert reports, and lawyers get involved.

Coverage: Investigation, expert reports, legal defence, settlement.

The third-party injury

Claim: $250,000

Equipment you're using on-site collapses and injures a passerby. They're hospitalised with serious injuries and sue for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Coverage: Medical, legal, lost income, pain and suffering.

The tool malfunction

Claim: $95,000

An angle grinder you're using kicks back and injures your client who was standing nearby. They require surgery and months of rehabilitation.

Coverage: Tool of trade protection, legal defence, compensation.

What's not covered

Know the limits of your policy

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Contract works in progress

Need Contract Works Insurance to cover buildings and structures under construction.

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Employee injuries

Workers' Compensation covers these — it's a separate legal requirement.

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Your own tools and equipment

Need separate Tools and Equipment Insurance for theft or damage to your own gear.

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Motor vehicle accidents

Commercial motor insurance is required for vehicle-related incidents.

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Professional advice

Design errors and professional advice need Professional Indemnity Insurance.

How it works

Get covered in 3 simple steps

Answer a few questions

Tell us about your trade — what you do, where you work, and the cover level you need. Takes about 2 minutes.

Get your quote

We'll generate an instant quote based on your trade details. No paperwork, no phone calls.

Pay & activate

Accept your quote and pay online. Your certificate of currency is issued instantly.

Get an instant quote →

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about trades liability insurance

Do I need public liability insurance as a tradie? +

Yes. If you work on-site — whether at a client's home, a commercial property, or a construction site — you're exposed to claims for injury or property damage. Many principal contractors also require you to hold a current certificate of currency before you can start work.

What's the difference between public liability and professional indemnity? +

Public liability covers physical injury and property damage caused by your work. Professional indemnity covers financial loss caused by your professional advice or design errors. Most tradies need public liability; if you also provide design or consulting services, you may need both.

Does this cover my subcontractors? +

Your policy covers your liability for work performed by your subcontractors, but they should also hold their own public liability insurance. Check their certificates of currency before they start work.

What cover limit should I choose? +

Most tradies choose $10 million or $20 million. Many principal contractors and government projects require a minimum of $20 million. Check your contract requirements before selecting a limit.

Am I covered for work I completed in the past? +

Yes, the completed works extension covers claims arising from defects discovered after you finish a job, subject to the policy terms and retroactive date.

How quickly can I get a certificate of currency? +

Instantly. Once you accept your quote and pay online, your certificate of currency is generated automatically and emailed to you. You can also download it from your account at any time.

Protect your trade today

Quote in 2 minutes. Certificate issued instantly. Cover starts when you need it.

Get an instant quote → Speak to a broker

Need help?

Talk to a broker

Not sure what cover you need? Working on a big project? Our brokers can help you find the right policy for your trade.

📞 1300 475 092 hello@withpocket.com.au

Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm AEST

Occupations we cover for trades liability insurance

181 occupations across 2 categories

Cleaning (43)

Trades (138)

Get on-site with confidence:you're protected