Whether you’re going at it solo or managing a crew, your tools, vehicles, and liability need proper cover. One unexpected event can put everything on hold, that’s where we come in.
What Insurance Do Plumbers Need?
Public Liability
Essential cover for third-party injury or property damage claims like a burst pipe flooding a client's home, accidental damage to existing plumbing, or a slip and fall that can happen while you're on the job.
General Property Insurance
Provides cover for portable items and electronic equipment you rely on for work, like leak detection gear, pipe locators, or the tablet you use for quotes.
Tools & Equipment
Protects your tools and gear pipe wrenches, drain machines, welding equipment, power tools against theft, loss, or accidental damage, whether they're on-site, in storage, or in your vehicle.
Personal Accident and Illness
Income protection for sole traders and working directors who can't earn if they're injured; a back strain from lifting pipe, a cut from tools, and unable to work on site.
Trades Package
A convenient bundled policy combining key protections like liability, tools, and commercial vehicle insurance into one simple package built for plumbing businesses.
Commercial Motor Insurance
Covers your ute, van, or truck loaded with tools, pipe stock, and fittings against accidents, theft, or damage, keeping your business on the move.
The One Thing Brisbane Plumbers Often Get Wrong
The most common mistake we see is plumbers assuming their public liability policy covers all the work they do without reading the exclusions.
Some policies specifically exclude:
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Gas work — treated as a separate, higher-risk category by some insurers
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Damage caused by tree root removal — excluded by some policies as a maintenance issue
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Gradual damage or seepage — water damage that develops slowly over time rather than from a sudden event
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Work on high-rise or multi-storey buildings — some policies have height or building type exclusions
Not all $20 Million public liability policies are equal, cheaper policies may contain exclusions that can void your cover entirely at claim time. If your policy excludes the work you actually do day-to-day, it's not worth the paper it's written on. Reading the Product Disclosure Statement carefully or better yet, working with a broker who understands the plumbing trade, is what protects you when you actually need to make a claim.
Plumbers Insurance FAQs
QBCC doesn't list public liability as a formal licensing condition the way it does professional indemnity insurance for certain licence classes like building designers or hydraulic services design. In practice, though, it's essential regardless. Almost every builder, principal contractor, real estate agent, or body corporate you work for will require a current public liability policy and a certificate of currency before you're allowed on site.
A typical plumbers policy combines public liability for third-party injury or property damage, cover for your tools and equipment, commercial motor insurance for your ute or van, and personal accident and illness cover for income protection if you're injured and can't work. Many Brisbane plumbers bundle these into a single trades package rather than running separate policies.
This depends on what actually went wrong. Public liability generally covers the resulting damage to a client's property caused by your work, a fitting that fails and floods a bathroom, for example, but it typically doesn't cover the cost of redoing the faulty workmanship itself. It's worth talking through this distinction with your broker, since it catches a lot of tradies out.
Generally yes. Gas work carries a higher risk profile because of the fire and explosion exposure, so it's worth confirming your policy explicitly extends to gas fitting rather than assuming standard plumbing cover applies. Plumbers who do a mix of general plumbing and gas work often pay a bit more in premium to reflect that added risk.
Yes. A head contractor's insurance doesn't extend to cover you as a subcontractor. Most builders will ask you to hold your own public liability policy, usually at a minimum limit they specify in the contract, and to provide a certificate of currency before you start work on their site.
It varies quite a bit depending on your turnover, claims history, and the liability limit you choose, and gas fitters typically pay a bit more given the added risk. Rather than quoting a single figure, it's usually more useful to get a couple of comparative quotes once your business details and cover level are settled.
Why Monarch?
Why choose us as your brokerage
Personalised Service
We take the time to understand your business, tailoring insurance solutions to fit your exact needs rather than offering a one-size-fits-all policy.
Expert Guidance
Our team brings deep industry knowledge and explains your options in plain language, helping you make confident, informed decisions.
Trusted Claims Support
If the unexpected happens, we stand by your side. We’ll guide you through the claims process and advocate on your behalf to get the best outcome.
Local Focus, Real Relationships
As a Brisbane brokerage, we’re invested in our community and committed to building lasting relationships, not just policies.
Get Covered Before You Get Onsite.
Talk to Monarch today about the right insurance for your trade or construction business — fast quotes, clear advice, and local support.
