What is insurance for joiners?
Creating stunning woodwork is a skill, but it also comes with challenges. Whether you’re building custom staircases or installing intricate cabinetry, insurance for joiners protects your business from unexpected hiccups like property damage, injuries, or tool theft.
Public liability insurance is at the core of joiner coverage, but additional options like professional indemnity and tool insurance ensure you’re covered from every angle. With Suited, you can customise your policy to fit your business’s unique needs.
Why do joiners need insurance?
Let’s face it—joinery isn’t all smooth cuts and seamless installations. Things can (and do) go wrong, and when they do, the costs can stack up fast. Insurance for joiners is essential for keeping your business protected and your reputation intact.
Scenarios where joiners need insurance:
- Accidental damage on-site: You’re installing custom shelving, and a misstep leads to damage to a client’s newly finished hardwood floor.
- Injury to a third party: A passerby trips over your toolbox while you’re working outside, resulting in a broken wrist and a compensation claim.
- Damage during transport: Your tools get damaged en route to a job, delaying the project and leaving you out of pocket for repairs or replacements.
With the right insurance, you can handle these situations without breaking a sweat—or your budget.
Public liability insurance for joiners
Public liability insurance for joiners is your first line of defence when claims arise from injuries or property damage caused by your work. Whether you’re working on-site, in a client’s home, or at a commercial location, this cover ensures you’re not left holding the bill.
Common scenarios:
- A dropped hammer cracks a client’s marble countertop.
- A visitor trips over a power cord at your job site.
- Dust or debris from your work damages nearby property.
Many clients and contractors won’t hire joiners without proof of public liability insurance, making it not only smart but necessary for securing projects.
Professional indemnity insurance for joiners
Joiners involved in custom designs or consultations should consider professional indemnity insurance. It protects you if a client claims your advice, design, or recommendations caused them financial loss.Example scenario:You design a bespoke staircase, but after installation, it develops structural issues due to a material recommendation. The client sues for damages, but with professional indemnity insurance, you’re covered for legal fees and compensation.
This cover is especially important for joiners handling high-value projects or bespoke woodwork, where minor mistakes can result in major financial consequences.
Other types of insurance for joiners
While public liability and professional indemnity are essential, additional coverage can provide comprehensive protection.
Employers’ liability
If you have employees, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement. It covers claims if an employee is injured or becomes ill while working for you. For example, if an apprentice accidentally injures themselves with a chisel or a team member suffers a repetitive strain injury, this cover protects your business.
Joiner tool insurance
Your tools are the backbone of your craft. Losing them to theft or damage can bring your work to a halt. Joiner tool insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing essential equipment, from saws and drills to wood supplies, ensuring minimal downtime.
Own & hired-in plant
If you frequently rent equipment like sanding machines or forklifts, hired-in plant insurance is worth considering. It covers rented machinery against theft or damage while in your care, saving you from costly replacement expenses.
Contract works
Contract works insurance protects ongoing projects from unexpected damage. If a partially built structure is destroyed by fire or bad weather, this cover ensures you don’t have to bear the costs of starting from scratch.
