Tradie Insurance NZ
Comprehensive insurance for New Zealand tradespeople. Protect your tools, equipment, and business with specialized coverage designed for tradies.
Quick Quote
Prices shown are indicative only. Your actual premium will depend on your specific circumstances.
Essential Insurance for Tradies
Specialized coverage tailored to the unique risks faced by New Zealand tradespeople.
Public Liability Insurance
EssentialProtection against third-party injury and property damage claims at job sites. Required by most clients and builders.
Tool & Equipment Insurance
Highly RecommendedCoverage for theft, loss, and damage to your tools and equipment — on site, in your vehicle, or at home.
Professional Indemnity
RecommendedProtection for licensed tradespeople against claims for errors, omissions, or faulty workmanship.
Business Vehicle Insurance
RecommendedCommercial vehicle cover for work vans, utes, and trucks. Covers accidental damage, theft, and third-party liability.
Statutory Liability
RecommendedCovers fines and legal costs for unintentional breaches of health and safety or employment law.
Business Interruption
OptionalIncome protection if your business is interrupted by an insured event — fire, flood, or major equipment failure.
Common Risks & Claims
Illustrative examples of common business risks. Amounts shown are hypothetical.
Property Damage at Job Site
Plumber accidentally drilled through a water pipe, flooding a client's kitchen and damaging cabinetry. Public liability covered $45,000 in repairs and legal costs.
Tools Stolen from Van
$8,000 worth of power tools and hand tools stolen from a work van overnight. Tool insurance provided full replacement.
Third-Party Injury Claim
Client tripped over power cables left across a hallway during electrical work. Public liability covered $65,000 in medical and legal expenses.
Faulty Workmanship Claim
Incorrect wiring installation caused an appliance to fail and a small fire. Professional indemnity covered $32,000 in remediation and client losses.
Why Tradies Need Insurance
Protect Your Tools
Tools are your livelihood. Insurance replaces stolen or damaged equipment so you can keep working without a massive out-of-pocket expense.
Win More Work
Many clients and builders require proof of public liability insurance before you can start work. Insurance opens doors to more and better-paying jobs.
Peace of Mind
Focus on your trade knowing you are protected from unexpected claims, theft, and accidents that could otherwise threaten your business.
Insurance by Trade
Different trades face different risks. Here is what each trade typically needs and why.
Electricians
Electrical work carries fire and electrocution risk. Faulty wiring can cause property damage long after the job is done. Professional indemnity is important because errors may not surface for months.
Key cover: Public Liability + Professional Indemnity
Plumbers
Water damage is one of the most common — and expensive — liability claims. A burst fitting or incorrect connection can flood a property and damage floors, walls, and belongings.
Key cover: Public Liability + Professional Indemnity
Painters & Decorators
Painters work in and around client property — paint spills, scaffold damage, and accidental damage to furnishings are common risks. Working at height adds further exposure.
Key cover: Public Liability + Equipment
Landscapers
Landscaping involves heavy machinery, excavation, and working on client properties. Underground services (water, gas, fibre) and damage to driveways, fences, and gardens are common claim triggers.
Key cover: Public Liability + Equipment
Fencers
Fencing work involves digging near boundary lines and underground services. Hitting a fibre cable, water main, or power line during post-hole boring can result in significant claims.
Key cover: Public Liability
Tilers & Concrete Layers
Tiling and concrete work carries risk of property damage (scratched surfaces, incorrect falls, cracked tiles) and potential for rectification claims if work does not meet standards.
Key cover: Public Liability + Professional Indemnity
What ACC Doesn't Cover for Tradies
Many tradies assume ACC covers them for everything. It does not. ACC covers personal injury only — here are the gaps you need to fill with business insurance.
Property Damage
ACC does not cover damage you cause to a client's property. If you flood a kitchen, crack a driveway, or damage wiring, you need public liability insurance to cover the repair costs.
Consequential Losses
If your work causes a client to lose rental income, close their business temporarily, or incur accommodation costs, ACC will not cover those losses. You could be sued directly.
Exemplary Damages
Courts can award exemplary (punitive) damages against you if your conduct is found to be reckless or grossly negligent. ACC does not cover these — they can only be covered by insurance or paid out of your own pocket.
Legal Defence Costs
If you are sued for property damage or professional negligence, ACC does not pay for your lawyer. Legal defence can cost $10,000-$50,000+ even if the claim is unfounded. Public liability insurance covers legal defence costs.
Stress & Mental Harm Claims
Claims for emotional distress, stress, or anxiety caused by your work are not covered by ACC. These can arise in neighbour disputes, noise complaints, or prolonged construction projects.
Your Own Tools & Equipment
ACC covers injuries to people, not damage to things. If your tools are stolen, your van is broken into, or your equipment is damaged on site, ACC provides nothing. You need tool or contents insurance.
Indicative Pricing by Trade
Indicative monthly premiums for different trades. Your actual premium will depend on your turnover, claims history, cover limits, and specific circumstances.
| Trade | Public Liability | Professional Indemnity | Tools | Typical Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician Domestic & commercial wiring | From $18/mo | From $25/mo | From $12/mo | $60-150/mo |
| Plumber Plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying | From $20/mo | From $25/mo | From $15/mo | $65-180/mo |
| Painter Interior & exterior painting | From $15/mo | Often not needed | From $10/mo | $30-90/mo |
| Landscaper Garden design, earthworks, planting | From $18/mo | From $20/mo | From $15/mo | $55-150/mo |
| Fencer Residential & rural fencing | From $15/mo | Often not needed | From $12/mo | $30-80/mo |
| Tiler Floor & wall tiling | From $15/mo | From $20/mo | From $10/mo | $50-120/mo |
| Concrete Layer Driveways, foundations, slabs | From $20/mo | From $20/mo | From $15/mo | $60-160/mo |
All prices shown are indicative only and represent starting points. Your actual premium will be determined by your insurer based on a full assessment of your business.
Tool & Equipment Cover for Tradies
Your tools are your livelihood. Without them, you cannot work and you cannot earn. Tool insurance protects you from theft, accidental damage, and fire — so you can get back to work fast.
What's Typically Covered
- ✓ Theft from your vehicle (with security requirements)
- ✓ Theft from a job site
- ✓ Accidental damage during use
- ✓ Fire, storm, and flood damage
- ✓ New-for-old replacement on most policies
What's Typically Not Covered
- ✗ Tools left in an unlocked vehicle
- ✗ Normal wear and tear
- ✗ Gradual deterioration or rust
- ✗ Items below the excess amount
- ✗ Consumable items (blades, bits, sandpaper)
Keep a Tool Inventory
Photograph your tools, record serial numbers, and keep receipts. This makes claims faster and ensures you receive the correct replacement value. Many insurers require an itemised list for higher-value claims. See our tool insurance guide for more details.
Working on Client Properties
Every time you enter a client's home or commercial property to work, you are surrounded by property that is not yours. One accident can be expensive. Here is how to protect yourself.
Document Existing Damage
Before starting work, take photos of the work area and any existing damage. This protects you from being blamed for pre-existing issues. A quick walk-through with the client, noting any scratches, stains, or damage, takes five minutes and can save you thousands.
Protect Surrounding Areas
Use drop cloths, protective coverings, and dust barriers. If paint splatters on a client's carpet or dust damages electronics, you will be liable. Prevention is cheaper than a claim.
Notify Your Insurer of High-Value Work
If you are working in a property with unusually high-value contents — expensive art, server rooms, heritage features — check whether your policy has adequate limits. Standard public liability may have sub-limits for certain types of damage.
Report Damage Immediately
If you cause accidental damage, report it to your insurer promptly. Delayed reporting can complicate or even void your claim. Most policies require notification within a reasonable time frame — do not wait until the client complains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about insurance for tradies in New Zealand.
Do tradies need insurance in New Zealand?
What does ACC cover for tradies — and what doesn't it cover?
How much public liability cover do tradies need?
Is tool insurance worth it for tradies?
Can I get insurance as a sole trader tradie?
What is the difference between public liability and professional indemnity for tradies?
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