The Uninsured Handyman: A risky venture that’s not worth the gamble

If you turn on the telly these days, it’s plain to see that DIY home improvements are all the rage across Australia. But contrary to what reality shows would have you believe, not everyone is born with natural do-it-yourself abilities. In fact, some homeowners would just as soon attempt brain surgery before picking up a circular saw! Remember Frank Spencer?

Those who suffer from tool phobias often turn to handymen to take care of all those little projects that are too small for a contractor but too big to simply ignore. Handymen play an important role in Australia, assisting homeowners with building repair work and miscellaneous odd jobs that do not necessitate the services of a full-time builder.

In the construction industry, the handyman is somewhere in no-man’s land. Not a builder, but involved in the building trade. Unfortunately this grey-area distinction leads far too many handymen to practice their profession without proper insurance coverage. Some handymen think they’re exempt from liability since they’re not licensed builders. Big mistake.

The reality is that those without insurance are putting their families at risk. No matter how talented a tradesman you are, accidents do happen. As a self-employed businessman you need to be responsible and purchase the right cover to look after your livelihood.

Small jobs with big-time consequences.
Repairs for a leaky faucet or stuck door jamb will most likely never lead to a major liability claim, but not every job that a handyman undertakes is without potential risks. Making a simple mistake on basic plumbing projects such as a washing machine or dishwasher hose installation can lead to disastrous consequences. Water damage can run into the thousands. And face it, everyone makes mistakes now and again.

It’s not just major claims that need to be protected against. From spilled paint to smashing a client’s antique Chinese vase with your ladder, wouldn’t it be better to have someone else foot the bill when things go wrong?

Have you seen my hammer? Oh yeah, and the rest of my tools are missing, too.
Without his tools a handyman is lost. Imagine the cost of replacing your entire collection in one go. Ouch. It makes more sense to carry coverage that will keep your business afloat should something happen to your tools.

When it comes to serious claims and events, you can forget about stolen tools and property damage. Personal injury is where the big bucks come to play. Whether you injure yourself and are unable to work or your negligence injures someone else and you’re forced to pay damages, personal injury claims have the potential to push you into bankruptcy.

In Australia most handymen are self-employed sole traders. This means they have no access to sick leave or workers compensation schemes. If you’re injured and can’t work, who’s going to pay your bills? Well, if you thought ahead, your insurance company will!

When your actions result in personal injury to your client or the general public, there will be serious financial consequences. Even minor damages can lead to one monster of a medical bill. Should your negligence wind up killing someone? Get ready to break out the checkbook and write in plenty of zeros.

We’ve got the solution.
Perhaps this post is a little bit more sales oriented than our other stuff, but if you’re a handyman in Australia operating without Public Liability Insurance, count your lucky stars that you’ve found us. You’re playing roulette with your livelihood and sooner or later the ball will land on double zero.

Our Public Liability Insurance for sub-contractors and tradesmen protects against accident or damage. BuildSafe can also offer cover for tools or sickness. Give us a call today!