- What is it?
Plumbing insurance is specialized commercial insurance designed to meet the unique needs of plumbers and their businesses. Most policies provide protection against both property and liability perils.
- Who’s it for?
- Residential plumbers
- Commercial plumbers
- Self-employed plumbers
- What is offered?
- General Liability Coverage
- Errors and Omissions Coverage
- Commercial Umbrella Coverage
Plumbing Insurance in California
What is plumbing insurance?
The nature of what plumbers do exposes them to certain risks. From stolen equipment to car accidents, plumbing insurance can help protect California plumbers from a range of potential risks.
Plumbing insurance is specialized commercial insurance designed to meet the unique needs of plumbers and their businesses. Most policies provide protection against both property and liability perils.
Which California businesses need a plumbers insurance policy?
The majority of plumbers in California should have a plumbers insurance policy. Not insuring can lead to major losses, and this tends to be the best way of insuring plumbing businesses.
Specific examples of businesses that should consider plumbers insurance include:
- Residential plumbers
- Commercial plumbers
- Self-employed plumbers
- HVAC companies that offer plumbing services
Importantly, plumbers normally should insure regardless of their business structure or size. Everyone from self-employed sole proprietors to state-wide companies can usually benefit from a policy’s protections.
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What protections are available through plumbing policies?
Plumbers insurance policies typically bundle multiple coverages to provide comprehensive protection. Some common coverages include:
- General Liability Coverage: May protect against basic accidents resulting in third-party injuries or damage to their property.
- Errors and Omissions Coverage: May protect against errors made when providing advice to customers.
- Commercial Umbrella Coverage: May protect against costly lawsuits by serving as a second layer of liability coverage.
- Commercial Property Coverage: May protect buildings, equipment and inventory owned by the company against damage and loss.
- Commercial Auto Coverage: May protect vans, trucks and other vehicles used by the company, usually covering accidents and non-accident events.
- Inland Marine Coverage: May protect a plumber’s equipment and inventory while driving them to/from customers’ locations.
- Installation Floater Coverage: May protect supplies from the time of purchase until installation.
Do plumbers in California need workers compensation coverage?
Plumbers generally must file a workers compensation form with the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Whether an actual workers compensation policy is needed depends on whether a plumber employs individuals.
Plumbers that have employees are normally required to purchase a workers compensation insurance policy, which is primarily to protect against covered workplace injuries and illnesses. Once a policy is purchased, a certificate of insurance can be filed with the CSLB.
Self-employed plumbers that don’t have employees normally don’t need workers compensation. They still usually need to file a workers compensation insurance exemption form with the CSLB, though.
An insurance agent who’s familiar with plumbers insurance should be able to assist with filing whichever form is required.
Do plumbers need commercial auto insurance?
Personal auto insurance generally covers only personal (i.e. non-work) driving. Plumbers thus likely need some form of commercial auto insurance.
Self-employed plumbers who use their personal vehicle for work might be able to add an endorsement onto their personal policy. An endorsement adds a specific protection to a policy, possibly adding basic commercial auto coverage in this case. This is usually only an option if the vehicle is registered as a personal one.
Plumbers that have commercially registered vehicles their business owns probably need a commercial auto insurance policy. This provides the most robust protection for commercial vehicles.
Plumbers that have employees use their own personal vehicles may only need hired and non-owned auto insurance. This is a commercial policy that usually gives a business liability protection in this situation.
A knowledgeable insurance agent who’s well-versed in plumbing policies and commercial auto policies can help businesses determine which commercial auto solution is best for them.
How much do plumbing policies cost?
Premiums for plumbing policies vary based on several factors. However, for most plumbers, insurance coverage is affordable and readily available.
Plumbers can find out exactly how much their insurance will be by comparing custom quotes with an independent insurance agent.
How can plumbing companies get plumbing insurance?
If you need help finding plumbing insurance, contact the independent insurance agents at Truck Writer Insurance Services. Our experienced California agents will work with you to find the right insurance coverages for your business.
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