Should I get insurance in case builder injures himself?

[dumdum]

I had a builder who injured himself whilst using a powertool. Blood everywhere. Thankfully nothing life changing. He works for himself.

I am wondering, if in future I should get some sort of insurance? I don't know if there is any liability on me?. (Thankfully, this was his power tool. However, on occasions he borrows my power tools)

I know he does n't have any insurance. His workmanship is good. I think with the hot weather, people can loose concentration and make mistakes...

 

[EddieM]

Up to him to have insurance, unless negligence on your part, which is probably unlikely.

 

[Bosswhite]

Your household insurance should cover any problems encountered by workmen on your property injuring themselves or damage caused outside of the required job, although it is expected that the builder should have public liability insurance cover to cover himself for injury,( under H & S regs ) and damage to your property caused by poor workmanship
The fact you offer him power tools means the onus is on you, if he electricutes himself or is hurt by a sub standard tool loaned by you , you then could become liable, also its your responsibility to make sure he has the adaquate Insurance, correct tools, and the right access equiptment for working above ground level .

 

[FiremanT]

Your household insurance should cover any problems encountered by workmen on your property injuring themselves or damage caused outside of the required job, although it is expected that the builder should have public liability insurance cover to cover himself for injury,( under H & S regs ) and damage to your property caused by poor workmanship
The fact you offer him power tools means the onus is on you, if he electricutes himself or is hurt by a sub standard tool loaned by you , you then could become liable, also its your responsibility to make sure he has the adaquate Insurance, correct tools, and the right access equiptment for working above ground level .

Oh, and I have never been questioned abt insurance by a client or had my kit inspected by a punter. Have you not read the plumbers pages? Everyone gets miffed if a punter asks how much a job is going to cost, I would love to see them being interogated over tools standards

I agree that lending tools may imply a level of responsibility, but while you may beleive that tradsemen are "expected" to have PLI, there is no legal requirement to do so. Are you saying that H&S requires him to have accident insurance? If so, you are completely wrong. I suspect only a tiny proportion of TM have accident insurance, as the premiums are high, and benefits low. The only MANDATORY insurance is Employees Liability.

 

[Notch7]

I agree that lending tools may imply a level of responsibility, but while you may beleive that tradsemen are "expected" to have PLI, there is no legal requirement to do so. Are you saying that H&S requires him to have accident insurance? If so, you are completely wrong. I suspect only a tiny proportion of TM have accident insurance, as the premiums are high, and benefits low. The only MANDATORY insurance is Employees Liability.

Loads of one man band tradesmen dont have public liability cover.

My insurer requires all subbies to have pli -its a real slog to get that sorted.......

 

[Bodd]

Anyone I get working with or for me I ask them to have PL insurance
with accident cover.

 

[FiremanT]

Anyone I get working with or for me I ask them to have PL insurance
with accident cover.

You mean in your own house or for customers? It is fair enough for even householder clients to ask for evidence of PLI - but accident insurance is none of anyone else’s s concern

 

[Bodd]

If I have a tiler doing a bathroom for me I'd like to think he's covered all be it I get the customer to pay him direct

 

[FiremanT]

If I have a tiler doing a bathroom for me I'd like to think he's covered all be it I get the customer to pay him direct

But do you mean PLI or personal/accident? Or both, which is what you previously implied?

 

[Bodd]

But do you mean PLI or personal/accident? Or both, which is what you previously implied?

My PL has injury included whilst at work

I wished I had the next step up as snapped a tendon to my knee in June playing football. Going from my own mistake I encourage full cover if they can get it.

 

[FiremanT]

My PL has injury included whilst at work

I wished I had the next step up as snapped a tendon to my knee in June playing football. Going from my own mistake I encourage full cover if they can get it.

Sorry to labour the point, but PLI is specifically that. You may have a package, including accident insurance, but it is clearly not very inclusive, as your comments make clear. Proper Income Protection is expensive for trades, there is always a minimum laid up period before you can start a claim, and you are paid in arrears. The maximum length of payment (at least this use to be true) is 2 year. The actual benefit is obviously dependent upon premiums paid, but will not be your full income. If I was contracting to you, and you started to ask me about my financial arrangements, we would not get along very well.

Had a quick google, and there are some better deals than I thought. As a 40 yo, for about £320 per annum, you can be covered for abot£20K per year. the maximum claim period is 12 months, and there is a one month deferred period (ie you have to be sick for 1 month before claiming). The sting is the tail, though, will be the claim assessors. THEY will decide if you are ill enough not to work. And any payments are taxable.

 

[Bodd]

Sorry to labour the point, but PLI is specifically that. You may have a package, including accident insurance, but it is clearly not very inclusive, as your comments make clear. Proper Income Protection is expensive for trades, there is always a minimum laid up period before you can start a claim, and you are paid in arrears. The maximum length of payment (at least this use to be true) is 2 year. The actual benefit is obviously dependent upon premiums paid, but will not be your full income. If I was contracting to you, and you started to ask me about my financial arrangements, we would not get along very well.

Had a quick google, and there are some better deals than I thought. As a 40 yo, for about £320 per annum, you can be covered for abot£20K per year. the maximum claim period is 12 months, and there is a one month deferred period (ie you have to be sick for 1 month before claiming). The sting is the tail, though, will be the claim assessors. THEY will decide if you are ill enough not to work. And any payments are taxable.

Maybe we should not work with each other.

Only my concern for others as this year I've snapped a ligerment. Tomorrow Im having my Tonsils out.
Have no insurance for any of this except life. I would encourage anybody to cover them self.

Lots of time off work but still managing to earn money so not sure they would pay out.

 

[FiremanT]

Maybe we should not work with each other.

Only my concern for others as this year I've snapped a ligerment. 6 days later told I have cancer, and tomorrow Im having my Tonsils out.
Have no insurance for any of this except life. I would encourage anybody to cover them self.

Lots of time off work but still managing to earn money so not sure they would pay out.

I am genuinely sorry to hear of your health issues. But the Income Protection would not have paid out in your circs.

Good luck, I hope things turn out not as bad as expected.

 

[Bodd]

Income Protection would not have paid out in your circs.

No your right. But with the right insurance I hope they would have done. If I had done my knee at work then I would have been covered. Hence why I ask them to have liability insurance and advise to have injury... I've been lucky so far....

 

[FiremanT]

No your right. But with the right insurance I hope they would have done. If I had done my knee at work then I would have been covered. Hence why I ask them to have liability insurance and advise to have injury... I've been lucky so far....

But. Bodd, that is the point - no insurance would have you covered in the circs that you outlined. You have to be totally unable to work for one complete month then you will be subject to THEIR criteria to prove inability to work. A doctors line will not necessarily suffice. Then you can claim for 12 months, sometime 24. I am not sure of you have to pay premiums while claiming, but you do pay tax.

Has anyone here actually succesfully claimed against IPP?

Bodd, with that wonderful hindsight, Critical Life assurance would have been your friend, if you qualified.