Insurance for tradespeople - what can happen if they don't have it ?

Donnie_Darko

Hi All

Does anyone know what the score is with insurance for tradespeople (in this case a decorator) is when decorating your home ?

I have found someone with a good reputation and good work (have seen it) but when I asked they said, no, they didn't have insurance.

So what's the problem - is it that they can claim on you if they hurt themselves ? Or that if they burn down your house you're not covered ? Maybe both ?

Wouldn't my own house insurance cover them whilst on the premises ?

I have Googled this but can't find a definitive answer. A link or some explaination if someone knows would be great !

Many thanks

andyhop

Avoid like the plague

Any reputable tradesman with a legitimate business should have liabilty insurance

What would happen if he spilt paint all over your carpet, Could cost 1000`s to replace and if he isnt willing to spend hundreds on insurance cover you have little or no chance of recovering your losses

Your own insurance will not cover him working, It will cover you to take him to court for your losses but if he has no assets you have no chance of getting compensation, If he was insured you would be able to claim of this and if he insurance decided he was negligent then they would pursue him

john0612

I'm a painter and decorator, and I've got cover up to £10m but that was because i was doing industrial work and at height ,which reminds me that i'll need to phone and get that down coz the premium was huge.

as said before if they don't have it don't touch them.

Canucklehead

Good evening: My OH has held public liability insurance cover (plumbing/heating/electrics) since he became self-employed over 20 years ago... more on insurance here ...any tradesperson who doesn't have PLI is playing with fire.

However, it is extremely rare for potential customers to ask/ have confirmed that he has cover

HTH

Canucklehead

Donnie_Darko

Ah ok, thanks for replies!

So they couldn't try and sue me if he hurt himself ?

And the next one I need to actually see the certifcate ... no point just asking.

vaio

Donnie_Darko wrote: »

Ah ok, thanks for replies!

So they couldn't try and sue me if he hurt himself ?

And the next one I need to actually see the certifcate ... no point just asking.

No, his pli insurance will pay out if you or your property get injured because of something negligent he does.

If he get injured as a result of something you negligently do then your house insurance will pay out.

And if he’s just a careless bug ger and falls off his ladder then neither will pay out (unless he lands on the best china or you)

DVardysShadow

Donnie_Darko wrote: »

Ah ok, thanks for replies!

So they couldn't try and sue me if he hurt himself ?

And the next one I need to actually see the certifcate ... no point just asking.

Yes he could sue you in that scenario, regardless of whether he has Public Liability insurance. You need your own occupiers liability insurance to cover the scenario. This is usually included in your house insurance.