How to choose fence installation insurance

What is fence installation insurance?

Any insurance is a way to help protect your trade business. Fencing contractor insurance includes key types of cover related to your trade.

An obvious question many tradespeople ask is ‘Do I need insurance?‘. Like all types of insurance, it’s a business cost usually worth paying for. Hopefully, you’ll rarely need to make a claim.

Fencing installation on the surface may appear fairly straightforward, but you can face risks. These could affect a particular job or have an effect on your whole business.

When you might need fence installation insurance

Having the right cover is so important for tradespeople. Fencing business insurance could help your trade business if:

• Your or your employees suffer workplace injuries
• You cause damage to property or accidents to the public while working
• A customer says your work was inadequate and refuses to pay you
• Your tools, machinery or equipment are damaged, lost or stolen on a job
• You are a sole trader and have to take time off work

Fence installation insurance should pay out on claims covered by the policy. This can provide essential financial support when things go wrong.

Protection for running a fencing installation business

More tradespeople are looking at fencing installation work to add to their business. Whether you’re a handyman, landscape gardener or in construction, fencing is an in-demand skill.

Fencing in homes and commercial property is popular for many reasons, including:

• Increases privacy
• Provides security
• Improves visual appearance
• Reduces property owners’ insurance costs
• Helps to reduce noise levels

The types of fencing customers may choose depend on:

• Location
• Usage
• Budget

Good fencing contractors are always in demand. As a result, now could be a good time to think about upskilling.

As with many trade professions, fencing contractors can earn more with experience. But even apprentices can earn a good wage as they learn the trade.

Starting in the fencing trade can quickly boost your earnings. And that’s why protecting your business with the right insurance is essential.

What do you need fence installation insurance to cover?

You could look at two areas for fencing business insurance: job-specific and your business in general.

Insurance can protect you against damage to a customer’s property and financial losses relating to jobs. This could include when they can’t be completed for whatever reason.

Fencing contractors’ insurance can also cover general areas running your business, including:

• Tools and equipment
• Vehicles
• Office or workplace
• Staff
• Cybersecurity threats to your business

Typically, fencing materials are made of:

• Wood
• Aluminium
• Steel
• Chain fencing, usually metal
• Plastic/vinyl

These materials can be costly, so it’s worth having insurance that protects your stock as well.

The fencing contractors’ trade body, the Association of Fencing Industries is a handy place to look for more insurance information. One area where its members receive a discount is a business risk management service.

Having an experienced risk professional assess your trade business risks is useful for identifying what insurance you need.

Another consideration is if you work at height. Insurance in case of accident or injury should be a priority for you.

Types of fence installation insurance

There’s a range of fencing business insurance to choose from. Research what cover you need and select what’s best for your trade business. These are some of the main types of fence contractor insurance:

Public Liability insurance

This should provide cover for your fencing installation business when it works near the public or customers. It usually includes property damage and accidental injuries.

We help our members with savings on public liability insurance (terms and conditions apply). Log in to our Member’s Area to see all the latest deals.

Professional indemnity insurance

Protect your business if a customer complains that your work is inadequate. Complaints could arise in cases of:

• The wrong fence post depth is used
• The wrong spacing between posts
• Installing a fence in the wrong place that might be outside the customer’s property
• Poor workmanship

Employers’ liability insurance

This is essential if you have staff working for you. This type of policy should cover you for workplace accidents and injuries. Having employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement in many cases.

Contractors’ insurance

If you carry out fencing work as a building contractor this insurance can protect your finances and reputation. It also shows customers that you are a professional and reputable trade business.

Tools insurance

Here’s another crucial type of fencing installation insurance. It covers theft, loss or damage to a wide range of tools and equipment. As a fencing contractor, you might be working across a large area that may be remote or unsecure. Keeping an eye on all your equipment all the time might be difficult.

Cybersecurity

As well as fencing-specific insurance, take a broader look at wider risks your trade business faces. Most businesses rely heavily on computers and digital interactions. These can be with customers, suppliers and others. Cyber risks are growing, so cyber security insurance should be on your checklist.

Income protection insurance

Many small trade businesses and sole traders take out income protection insurance. It can provide regular payments if you are off work for an extended period. Typically, this would be if you fell ill or were injured.

The amount you could receive under this policy will depend on the level of premiums you pay.

How much does fencing business insurance cost?

The cost of fence installation insurance depends on what cover you need for your trade business. You don’t want to pay for unnecessary insurance. But on the other hand, you don’t want to be exposed to potential financial losses.

Look for flexibility

Fencing contractors’ insurance is usually flexible. You can increase levels of cover when you need to. For example, if you take on a larger job than usual. You may need more insurance to cover extra tools, equipment, employees or contractors.

Consider payment methods

Most insurers provide online quotes so you can see and compare products. Payments on fence installation insurance can be monthly or annually. Paying annually is often cheaper than monthly.

Insurers also like customers to take out multiple policies. So it’s worth looking for discounts from having all your insurance with a single provider.

Key takeaways

• Fencing is popular for security, privacy, reducing noise levels and helping property owners reduce their insurance costs
• Fence installation insurance helps trade businesses to protect their assets, staff and in case of accidents involving the public
• Fencing business insurance can be used for claims by customers that your work is inadequate
• The cost of fencing contractor insurance depends on the policies you take out, with premiums usually paid monthly or annually