Is it important to be covered by carpet fitter insurance?

Carpet fitter insurance can give valuable financial protection to tradespeople if things go wrong on jobs. This article looks at what carpet installer insurance you might need and the potential risks it covers.

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Carpet fitting can be a well-paying trade. After all, carpets are popular in many homes and offices so demand keeps carpet fitters busy.

Carpets wear out, tastes change. A carpet fitter's earnings could be high, especially the more experienced you are.

But there could be a potential stumbling block to running a successful carpet fitter trade business. And that’s if you experience any kind of problem with your work.

It’s called business risk. These risks can come in all shapes and forms. The good news is insurance can provide a degree of financial protection, should things go wrong.

What is carpet fitter insurance?

Let’s start with the obvious question: Does my trade business need insurance?

The short answer is 'yes'. Carpet fitting is just like most other trade businesses. There are business regulations to follow and safeguards you should have in place. Insurance is there to protect you, your staff (if you have employees), customers and the general public.

How does carpet installer insurance work?

Like most types of insurance policies, carpet fitter insurance usually works like this:

• You pay regular premiums to the insurer, usually monthly or annually

• Your policy covers a set period, usually 12 months, but it can vary according to your needs

• Insurers pay out on valid claims within the terms of your insurance contract with them

What you need to check

It’s always important to check your insurance policy details carefully before you go ahead and buy it. Things to consider include:

• Does your insurance cover all the things you need it to?

• Are you already insured on another policy (you don’t want to pay twice for the same cover)

What do you get from carpet installer insurance?

You should receive:

• Financial protection – payments to you on valid claims

• Advice and support when you make a claim or if a claim is made against you

Benefits of having carpet installer insurance

Carpet installer insurance aims to protect people and property:

• You

• Your staff and any contractors who work for you

• Your customers

• Members of the public

• Your vehicles, tools, plant, machinery and equipment

Protection against personal injuries

When you’re at work, you or your colleagues could suffer from:

• Cuts using sharp cutting tools and staplers

• Dust and fumes

• Repetitive strain

• Slips and trips

• Skin irritation if you use glue or adhesives, solvents and other chemicals

• Eye injury

• Manual handling injury from lifting and moving heavy materials

Protecting your carpet fitting business

Here are some examples where you could make a claim on your insurance policy:

• An employee, a customer or a member of the public is injured in relation to your work

• Property damage

• A customer has issues with your work

• You can’t finish a job due to events outside your control

• Your vehicle, tools, machinery or equipment are damaged or stolen

• Office equipment is damaged or stolen

• Cybersecurity threats to your business computers

• If you have to take time off work

What do you need to become Checkatrade approved?

Find out what checks we carry out, the standards you’ll be asked to meet, what happens once you’re an approved Checkatrade member.

Learn more

What are the different types of carpet fitter insurance?

Here are the main types of carpet installer insurance. First, carefully consider each. Next, decide whether they can protect your business if the worst happens.

Public Liability insurance (PLI)

This is something to consider as a carpet fitting business. Whether you’re looking for public liability for a self-employed carpet fitter or a company policy.

PLI offers cover for damages to property owned by a member of the public. It also covers accidental injuries that may occur to members of the public.

For carpet fitters, this is important if you:

• Work in public places, like offices

• Use tools or equipment that could cause injuries, such as sharp knives and staplers

• Remove old coverings, clean and level surfaces ready to lay new carpet

Businesses are expected to have certain types of insurance. One of the most common is public liability insurance for a self-employed carpet fitter. That also applies to a carpet fitter working in a partnership or as a limited company.

We’ve partnered with Superscript to help our members save on PLI. You could save around 20%. Log in to our Member’s Area to find out how.

Checkatrade members save 20% on public liability insurance with Superscript

The right insurance is just as essential as the tools of your trade. It can protect you and your livelihood from any incidents. It can also provide cover for your clients should anything happen while you're on site. You might be thinking that "insurance is expensive!" So, to help you get covered for

Learn more

Employer’s liability insurance

Employer’s liability insurance offers protection for your staff. It’s a legal requirement for many businesses. Always check whether your trade business needs this cover.

Tools and equipment

Carpet fitter tools and equipment can be quite expensive. Tools insurance can give financial protection if items are damaged, lost or stolen.

Vehicle insurance

Carpet fitters typically have to bring their equipment and tools to jobs. Having a vehicle is often a must for carpet fitters - especially if you transport carpets and underlay. It’s another type of business asset that you can insure. Van insurance can keep your business on the road if you have a vehicle mishap.

Stock and materials insurance

It often pays to buy stock and materials in bulk. If you do, then this type of insurance offers a financial safety net against loss or theft. Similarly, insurance can cover stock left on-site with customers during jobs.

Professional indemnity insurance

We all want to do the best possible job that we can. But sometimes things go wrong. Professional indemnity insurance helps if customers have issues with:

• Poor workmanship

• Mistakes or errors in your work

• Costs you charge

Income protection insurance

If you can’t work because of injury or other reasons, then carpet fitter insurance can help out. Income protection insurance provides financial support if you can’t earn the money you need from your carpet fitter business.

Your claim has to be valid, so check what your policy covers. It should pay out depending on the amount of cover you take out. This could be around two-thirds of your regular pre-tax earnings.

Cybersecurity

Most businesses rely heavily on computers. You usually need them to organise work, make business purchases and pay suppliers. You might accept electronic payments from customers.

Cyber risks are growing, so cyber security insurance should be on your checklist. Often, insurers offer it as part of a broader business insurance policy.

How much does carpet installer insurance cost?

Look for the right balance between how much your insurance policy costs and what you might get if you make a claim. Avoid having too much or too little insurance cover.

How much you pay will depend on the insurance products you choose. Insurance usually price their policies according to:

• The type of work you do

• Your average annual trade business turnover

• How many staff or contractors you have

• How much you want to be covered for

• Whether you have made previous insurance claims

What to look for in a carpet fitter insurance policy

Research different insurers to find one that provides exactly what you need. Areas to consider include:

• Is the insurer flexible so you can increase or decrease levels of cover at any time?

• Do they offer discounts for multiple insurance products?

• Will they allow you to pay premiums at times that suit, such as monthly or annually?

• Do they provide free information or a helpline to support you?

• How quickly do they commit to settling claims?

Insurance for work can usually be claimed back as business expenses. Different policies will have different rules. If you’re unsure on this front, you can always talk with an accountant or financial advisor.

Key takeaways

• Like most insurance, you pay premiums for carpet fitter insurance with policies usually lasting 12 months

• A policy will pay out on claims accepted by the insurer, offering a tradesperson a degree of financial protections should things go wrong in their work

• Carpet fitter insurance helps trade businesses protect their people, assets, customers and the general public

• Make sure you choose the right type and level of insurance to match the business risks you may face

• The cost of carpet installer insurance will vary depending on the size of your business and the activities you are involved in