Construction, Trades and Contractors Insurance
Working in construction and the trades is rewarding but comes with its fair share of risks. Whether you’re a builder, carpenter, electrician, plumber, landscaper, or another trade professional, you know that no two days on site are ever the same. Hazards and unexpected setbacks can happen in an instant. That’s why having the right construction, trades and contractors insurance is so important.
At Design Cover Insurance Brokers, we specialise in protecting Australian tradies and contractors with tailored insurance solutions. We make sure you’re properly covered, compliant with regulations, and supported when you need it most. Our role is to give you confidence that, no matter what happens, your business and your livelihood are protected.
Why Insurance is Essential for Trades and Contractors
Every project and worksite brings unique risks. Even experienced tradies with the best safety procedures in place can face accidents or claims. Some common scenarios include:
A carpenter damages expensive timber flooring while installing cabinetry.
An electrician’s wiring fault results in fire damage.
A plumber accidentally floods a client’s home.
Tools are stolen from a ute parked at a site overnight.
A subcontractor trips over materials on site and suffers an injury.
A storm damages partially completed building works.
Any one of these events could result in a costly claim. Without the right cover, you may find yourself personally liable for damages, repairs, or compensation. Insurance ensures that when the unexpected happens, your business can keep moving forward.
Types of Insurance for Construction and Trade Businesses
Not all insurance policies are created equal. Different trades have different exposures, and what suits a builder may not suit an electrician or landscaper. At Design Cover, we take the time to match your risks with the right insurance products.
Public Liability Insurance for Tradies
This is the backbone of most contractor insurance packages. Public liability insurance covers you if your work causes injury to a third party or damage to their property.
Protects you on-site and at client premises.
Often required to secure contracts or licences.
Common limits include $5m, $10m and $20m cover.
For example, if a landscaper accidentally damages underground pipes while excavating, public liability insurance can cover the cost of repairs and legal expenses.
Tools and Equipment Insurance
Your tools are more than just equipment — they’re your livelihood. Tools and equipment insurance covers loss, damage, or theft of your gear.
Covers theft from secured vehicles or job sites.
Can extend to larger machinery or specialised trade equipment.
Essential for mobile trades like plumbers, sparkies, and carpenters.
Without tools, you can’t work. With cover in place, you can get back on site quickly.
Contract Works Insurance
Also known as construction works insurance, this policy protects building projects while they’re underway.
Covers loss or damage to building works, materials, and fittings.
Protects against fire, storm, vandalism, theft and accidental damage.
Suitable for builders, contractors, and subcontractors.
Imagine a partially built home damaged by a storm — contract works insurance helps cover the cost of repairing and replacing materials.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Some contractors provide advice, design, or project management in addition to physical work. Professional indemnity insurance protects you if a client claims your advice or professional service caused them financial loss.
Essential for builders offering design-and-construct services.
Protects surveyors, project managers, consultants and certifiers.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
If you employ staff, this is mandatory. Workers’ compensation covers wages and medical costs for employees injured on the job.
Compliance is a legal requirement.
Ensures your staff are protected and your business avoids penalties.
Commercial Motor Insurance
Tradies rely heavily on vehicles like utes, vans and trucks. Commercial motor insurance covers your work vehicles for accidents, theft, or damage.
Can include tool protection while in the vehicle.
Options for multiple vehicles and fleets.
Cyber Insurance for Trades
As more tradies use online systems for quotes, invoicing, and client records, cyber risk is growing. Cyber insurance protects against hacking, data breaches, and cybercrime.
Covers business interruption costs.
Protects sensitive client information.
Who Needs Contractor and Trades Insurance?
At Design Cover, we work with a wide range of construction and trade professionals across Australia, including:
Builders – residential and commercial projects.
Carpenters and Joiners – from custom builds to fit-outs.
Electricians – protecting against risks like fire and injury.
Plumbers and Gasfitters – compliance-ready insurance tailored to plumbing risks.
Landscapers and Gardeners – cover for equipment, vehicles, and public liability.
Painters and Decorators – policies for domestic and commercial projects.
Roofers and Concreters – high-risk trades needing solid liability cover.
Tilers, Plasterers and Flooring Contractors – customised protection for each job type.
Independent Contractors – flexible policies that move with you between sites.
Whether you’re a sole trader or manage a growing construction business, we’ll help you find insurance designed for your specific trade.
Why Choose Design Cover Insurance Brokers?
We’re not just insurance brokers — we’re partners in protecting your business. Here’s why tradies and contractors across Australia choose us:
Tailored policies – no one-size-fits-all approach.
Access to multiple insurers – we compare leading insurance providers for competitive premiums.
Industry knowledge – we understand the risks trades face every day.
Compliance support – helping you meet contract and licensing requirements.
Fast claims assistance – when you need to make a claim, we handle the process and fight for the best outcome.
Local service, national reach – based on the Sunshine Coast, servicing clients Australia-wide.
Building Tailored Insurance Packages
Every business has different needs. A carpenter with a ute full of tools has a very different risk profile to a builder running multi-million-dollar projects. That’s why we develop tailored insurance packages that might include:
Public liability insurance.
Tools and equipment protection.
Contract works insurance.
Vehicle and trailer cover.
Optional extras like income protection, cyber cover, or professional indemnity.
This way, you only pay for what’s relevant to you, not unnecessary extras.
Protecting Your Business Future
Insurance does more than protect your finances. It protects your reputation, credibility, and ability to keep winning work. Many clients and principal contractors require proof of insurance before engaging a tradie or subcontractor.
By arranging comprehensive contractor insurance with Design Cover, you demonstrate professionalism and responsibility, which can help you secure more contracts and stand out in a competitive market.
Get Covered with Design Cover Insurance Brokers
At Design Cover Insurance Brokers, we help tradies and contractors protect their livelihoods with tailored insurance solutions. Whether you’re just starting out as a sole trader or you’re managing a busy construction company, we can arrange the right cover for your trade.
📞 Call us today on 0419 550 677
📧 Email: hello@designcover.com.au
Let Design Cover protect what you’ve worked hard to build. Get in touch today for a personalised insurance solution built for Australian trades and contractors.