Plumbers insurance: water damage, gas work and old buildings

A plumber's worst day often starts after the van has gone. A joint weeps behind a wall for a week, and the ceiling below comes down.

Gas work is regulated

Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, a gas engineering business doing in-scope gas work must be on the Gas Safe Register.¹ Check your policy is written for gas if you do it. Doing work outside your registration can raise serious problems at claim time.

Your duty to customers

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 says services must be provided with reasonable care and skill. Citizens Advice notes that unnoticed faults can be raised for up to six years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.³ Long tails are normal in this trade.

The cover to look at

• Public liability with a limit that reflects flood damage in flats.
• Products liability for what you supply and fit.
• Employers' liability if you have staff.
• Tools cover, including press tools and flue analysers.

Older buildings

Routine maintenance and drilling into walls are higher-risk activities for asbestos. If you are self-employed you have the same responsibilities as an employer and a worker.² Ask for an asbestos survey on older commercial premises. Note that many liability policies exclude asbestos claims.