What Insurance Do Solar and Insulation Installers Need?

Solar and insulation installers work on roofs, in ceilings and with electrical systems, and their insurance needs to fit that work. A good understanding of tradesmen business insurance helps these businesses guard against the risks of their trade. In this article, we look at the risks eco-friendly trades face and the covers solar installers, insulation installers and similar trades usually ask about.

Key tradesmen business insurance needs for eco-friendly trades

Eco-friendly trades come with unique risks, from complex installations to working at heights or handling specialised materials. Below are the insurance types these trades usually look at:

Public liability insurance

Public liability insurance can protect against claims for injuries or property damage caused by your work. For example, if a solar installer damages a roof or an insulation installer accidentally causes water damage, this tradie business insurance can cover legal fees, compensation, and repair costs, depending on the policy and up to its limit.

Professional indemnity insurance

If your advice or design work, such as energy efficiency assessments or material recommendations, causes a client a financial loss, this insurance can cover legal costs and compensation, depending on the policy. For instance, improper solar panel placement that makes a system less efficient could result in a claim.

Workers compensation insurance

Under Australian law, employers must have insurance to cover their workers in case they get sick or injured because of work (Safe Work Australia). Workers compensation insurance can cover injuries or illnesses sustained by employees at work, which matters for physically demanding tasks like lifting solar panels or working in tight roof spaces.

Tools and equipment insurance

Tool insurance can cover expensive tools like spray foam rigs, crimpers and testers against theft, damage, or loss, up to the limits in the policy. Depending on the policy, it can also include accidental damage. Wear and tear is usually excluded.

Contract works insurance

Contract works insurance can cover ongoing projects against unforeseen incidents like fires, theft, or extreme weather, including a partially installed solar panel system that is damaged. Depending on the policy, it can cover the cost of repairing or replacing damaged materials and labour, up to the limits in the policy.

Personal accident and illness insurance for tradies

Personal accident and illness cover can pay a weekly benefit if illness or injury stops you working. How much, and for how long, depends on the policy.

What a policy covers depends on its wording, limits, excesses and exclusions, and the insurer decides whether a claim is paid, so read the PDS (product disclosure statement) or policy wording before you decide.

Why insurance matters for eco-friendly trades

Solar, insulation and other green trades work on roofs, in ceilings and with electrical systems, so the covers above are the ones they usually ask about.

Get a quote for your eco-friendly trade business.

Insurance for solar panel installers

Solar panel installers face distinct risks due to the nature of their work. Operating at heights, working with electrical systems, and handling expensive equipment are just some challenges. Key insurance considerations for solar panel installers include:

• Work at heights cover: Some policies limit or exclude work above a certain height, so check the policy wording and tell the insurer how high you work.
• Electrical installation cover: Working with live electrical systems carries inherent risks, so solar installers who do the electrical work often look at electrician insurance.
• Environmental liability: Solar panel installations contribute to sustainability, but improper disposal of old panels or installation errors could lead to environmental claims. Ask whether a policy covers pollution or environmental damage, as many policies limit it.

Insurance for insulation installers

Insulation work is not without risks. Drilling into walls or roofs can result in accidental property damage, and the use of specialised insulation materials requires careful handling. Insurance considerations for insulation installers, including spray foam installers, include:

• Property damage cover: Can protect against claims arising from accidental damage to a client's property during installation, depending on the policy.
• Material defects: Products liability can cover your liability for injury or damage caused by defective insulation materials you supply, depending on the policy.
• Health and safety compliance: Insurers usually ask about your safety procedures, so keep your risk assessments and training records up to date.

Broader eco-friendly trades: what to consider

Other eco-friendly trades, such as wind turbine technicians, heat pump installers, and EV charging station installers, also have their own insurance needs. Common considerations include:

• Specialised equipment cover: Can protect against damage or theft of industry-specific tools.
• Transport: Many eco-friendly trades transport equipment and materials to job sites. Ask us whether goods in transit cover is available for your work.

Working with Tradies365

Tradies365 is run by the brokers at Connect Business Insurance, with cover Australia-wide.

• Cover chosen for your work: Our brokers ask about the work you do and get you quotes for the cover you ask for.
• What sets the premium: Read about the factors insurers look at, from your trade to your claims history.
• Plain-English answers: A real person on the phone, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
• Get a quote: Send us a quote request and tell us about your work.

Talk to Tradies365

At Tradies365, we arrange cover for tradies in the eco-friendly trade sector. If you are an eco-conscious tradie, talk to us about the risks your work carries.

Contact Tradies365 to talk through the cover for your eco-friendly trade.