What is welding business insurance?
Welding business insurance is a specialised form of coverage designed to protect welders from financial risks associated with their trade. From accidental damage to injury claims, it covers a variety of liabilities and operational risks, ensuring your business can continue running smoothly even when the unexpected happens.
Think of it as the protective shield for your business — because just like a good welding mask, it’s better to have it and not need it than the other way around.
Why Get Welding Liability Insurance?
Welding liability insurance isn’t just an optional extra — it’s often a necessity. It protects you from claims related to property damage, injury, or even legal disputes arising from your work.
Imagine accidentally causing damage to a client's property or being blamed for an on-site accident. Without liability coverage, your business could face costly legal fees and compensation claims. Welding liability insurance ensures you’re covered for such scenarios.
Public liability insurance for welders
Public liability insurance is one of the most important policies for welders. It covers claims made by third parties for property damage or injuries caused by your work.
For example:
- A welding spark damages a client’s equipment.
- A bystander trips over your tools on-site and suffers an injury.
With public liability insurance, you won’t have to pay for legal fees or compensation out of pocket.
Professional indemnity insurance for welders
While public liability focuses on physical damage or injury, professional indemnity insurance covers claims related to errors, advice, or designs that lead to financial losses for your clients.Let’s say you provide welding advice for a structural project, but something goes wrong, and the client incurs financial damage. Professional indemnity insurance can cover legal costs and any awarded compensation.
Other covers to include with your small welding business insurance
To better protect your business, consider these additional types of insurance:
Employers' liability insurance
If you have employees, this one’s not optional — it’s legally required in the UK. Employers' liability insurance protects you against claims from employees who get injured or fall ill due to work.Even with safety measures in place, accidents can happen. A welding apprentice could suffer burns, or a team member could injure themselves by lifting heavy materials. This coverage ensures you’re not left footing the bill.
Tools & materials insurance
Your welding tools and materials are vital to your business. If they’re lost, stolen, or damaged, it could put your work on hold.Tools and materials insurance covers the cost of repair or replacement so you can get back to work without delay.
Own & hired-in plant insurance
This type of insurance covers machinery and equipment you either own or rent temporarily.Let’s say you hire a welding machine for a large project, but it gets damaged on-site. Without the right cover, you’d be responsible for the repair costs. Own and hired-in plant insurance ensures you’re not caught off guard.
Commercial legal expenses insurance
Running a business can sometimes mean dealing with disputes. Whether it’s a disagreement with a client or supplier, commercial legal expenses insurance can cover your legal fees, so you don’t have to worry about the cost of defending your business.