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Insurance solutions for Plumbers

Marsh offers insurance solutions for plumbers, with three main coverage options including public liability, personal accident (or sickness) and tools insurance. Choose a level of cover that suits your business that can help protect your plumbing business against common risks.

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Specialist insurance coverage for licensed plumbers.

Plumbers' insurance solutions aim to protect you from everyday risks, preventing hefty out-of-pocket expenses in case of a claim. We offer coverage options such as public liability, personal accident and illness and tools and equipment cover, which can be customised to fit your needs.

The most common type of insurance for plumbing businesses is public liability insurance. With coverage arranged by Marsh for plumbers, you can choose a level of public liability insurance that suits your business.

Our public liability insurance meets all the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) requirements for licenced plumbers and Marsh has been partnered with Master Plumbers for over 20 years as a trusted risk and insurance broker.

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Cover for plumbers

  • Plumbers public liability cover

    Public liability insurance provides cover for your business up to the liability limit you choose.

  • Tools and equipment cover

    If your tools are damaged, lost or stolen, it can be expensive to replace them. Tools and equipment cover can help pay for the replacement or repair of your essential equipment.

  • Personal accident and sickness cover

    Depending on the policy you choose, personal accident and sickness insurance can provide a weekly benefit, a capital benefit lump sum and business expenses coverage.

  • Compliant insurance for Victorian Plumbers

    The public liability insurance meets all the VBA requirements for licenced plumbers. Plumbers from Victoria, we’ve got you covered.

Cover we can arrange

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Public liability

  • Property damage caused during plumbing work.

  • Personal injury to customers or members of the public.

  • Legal defence costs and compensation claims.

  • Accidental damage to customer property.

  • Option for VIC plumbers Ministerial Order.

  • Same day issue of Certificate of Currency.

  • Errors and omissions cover up to $250,000.

  • Option for type B gas fitting work.

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Tools and equipment cover

  • Australia-wide accidental damage full replacement cover for damaged or stolen gear, including lasers, locators, cameras, and other expensive tools.

  • Can Include theft in ‘open air’ of tools on an incomplete site.

  • Broad cover (not limited to ‘defined events’, such as just fire, or just theft).

  • Water damage protection for equipment.

  • Full replacement value coverage.

  • Specialised equipment like drain cameras and locators.

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Personal accident and sickness insurance

  • Capital lump sum or weekly benefit for up to 104 weeks and up to 90% of income.

  • 24/7 illness and injury protection. You’re covered at work (reduced by workers compensation) and outside of work.

  • Can include business expenses during recovery.

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What isn’t typically covered

Specific insurance exclusions for any insurance cover vary depending on your policy. However, there are some general things that many insurance policies typically do not cover. These can include:

 

Exclusion category

Specific exclusions

Why it's excluded

Alternative coverage

Intentional acts

Deliberate damage, fraud

Not accidental

None - avoid these activities

Business operations

Faulty workmanship, wear & tear

Business responsibility

Professional indemnity

Personal Conduct

Under the influence, illegal activities

Negligent behavior

None - maintain standards

Pre-existing issues

Known defects, previous damage

Not new occurrences

Disclose or repair first

Public liability exclusions:

  • Professional indemnity matters
  • Product liability for defective materials
  • Pollution incidents (except sudden/accidental)
  • Asbestos-related claims
  • Vehicle accidents (requires separate motor insurance)

Why Australian plumbers need insurance

As a plumber in Australia, you face unique risks that require specialised insurance coverage. Whether you're a sole trader or run a larger plumbing business, three essential types of insurance form the foundation of proper protection.

Common plumbing insurance claims:

Insurance type

Who needs it

Key benefits

Typical cost range

Public liability

All plumbers (mandatory in most states)

Property damage & injury protection 

$800-$5,000 annually

Personal accident

Solo traders & employees

Income replacement during injury/illness 

$400-$2,000 annually

Tools insurance

All plumbers with equipment

Theft, damage & loss protection 

$300-$1,500 annually

Examples of common plumbing insurance claims

Water damage claims:

  • Burst pipes are flooding customer properties
  • Incorrect installations are causing leaks
  • Hot water system failures

Sewer line blockages are causing backups Personal injury claims:

  • Slips and falls on wet surfaces
  • Burns from hot water or steam
  • Tool-related injuries

Gas-related incidents Property damage scenarios:

  • Accidentally damaging floors during pipe repairs
  • Breaking fixtures during installations
  • Damage to walls when accessing pipes
  • Electrical damage from water exposure

Choosing the right insurance broker

Working with a specialized insurance broker is key to getting the right coverage. They understand your specific risks—like negligence claims, stolen tools, or injury—and help you find the best protection. This way, you’re covered properly and can avoid costly surprises that could impact your livelihood.

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Why Marsh?

Why Australian plumbers choose Marsh

Master plumber risk partner

For over 20 years, Marsh has partnered with Master Plumbers as a trusted risk and insurance broker, helping businesses of all sizes navigate their unique risks.

Victorian building authority (VBA) compliance

The public liability insurance meets all the VBA requirements for licenced plumbers. Plumbers from Victoria, we’ve got you covered.

Claims advocacy

Handling an insurance claim can take precious time away from running your business, at a time when you’re possibly scrambling to get things running smoothly again. We use our expertise to advocate on your behalf to the insurer where there is a dispute on coverage.

Australian expertise, global capabilities

Our Australia-wide network of brokers have spent supporting business owners just like you. We understand your business, how you work, and your everyday challenges. Insurance shouldn’t be one of them.

Related insurance solutions for tradies

Products and services

Business vehicle insurance

No doubt you’ve got a vehicle to move around jobs and carry your tools. Talk to us about your van, ute or other motor vehicle insurance. Cover for theft, damage, replacement, and more.

Learn more

Products and services

Workshop property insurance

If you have a workshop or premise you work from, we can arrange coverage for that too. Talk to us about property insurance cover for your premises. Cover for storm, fire, or malicious damage.

Learn more

Products and services

Business interruption cover

If your business is interrupted by storm, fire or flood, this cover is designed to keep your business running.

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Frequently asked questions

You bet. You’re working around water, pipes and fixtures all day. An unsecured pipe or leak can cause significant damage. If that happens because of something you’ve done (or haven’t done) it could mean legal action and the costs associated with that, as well as any damages that result. Or worse, you could injure yourself or someone else. If you can’t work, your income could dry up, or you could face the stress (and costs) of legal action from another party.

Public liability is an industry standard. This insures you against damage to other people or property, including customers, passersby, or other people on site.

Tools and equipment insurance covers you against having your equipment or tools stolen from either your worksite, out of your van or ute, or if they get damaged.

Personal accident and illness insurance means that if you injure yourself, either while you’re working or enjoying the weekend, or if you’re permanently disabled and can’t work, you can have a weekly benefit reduced by workers compensation for a period of time to meet your financial obligations

Some insurers will offer you only ‘defined events’ cover, which covers you for only those things you must specify, such as fire or collision damage. There’s often also an exclusion if your tools are stolen from a working site, unless they are locked away on that site.

Our insurance solutions can offer you full damage, full replacement Australia-wide cover, including water damage and theft in open air cover. So, if you leave your tools on a working site and they are stolen, you can be covered. It can also cover your expensive equipment, like your lasers and locators.

If you provide advice or design services to your clients, we strongly recommend you may want to considering professional indemnity insurance.

Professional indemnity insurance can cover your business for allegations of negligence involving a breach of professional duty. This is typically excluded under public liability insurance.

The cost of your cover depends on a variety of factors: the amount and type of cover you need, the size of your business and type of work you do. The fastest way to find out how much it might cost is to get an online quote.

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The Personal Accident and Sickness covers are arranged by AFA Pty Ltd (ABN 83 067 084 333, AFSL 247122). The General and Products Liability and General Property covers are underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Ltd (ABN 13 000 296 640, AFSL 232507). The Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia receives a financial benefit when an insurance policy is arranged by Marsh.

Marsh Advantage Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 31 081 358 303, AFSL 238369) (“Marsh”) arranges the general insurance (i.e. not the Discretionary Trust Arrangement) and is not the insurer. This page contains general information and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. For full details of the terms, conditions and limitations of the covers, refer to the specific policy wordings and/or Product Disclosure Statements available from Marsh on request. Marsh makes no representation or warranty concerning the application of policy wordings or the financial condition or solvency of insurers or re-insurers. Marsh makes no assurances regarding the availability, cost, or terms of insurance coverage. Any statements concerning actuarial, tax, accounting, or legal matters are based solely on our experience as insurance brokers and risk consultants and are not to be relied upon as actuarial, accounting, tax, or legal advice, for which you should consult your own professional advisors. The Discretionary Trust Arrangement is issued by the Trustee, JLT Group Services Pty Ltd (ABN 26 004 485 214, AFSL 417964) (“JGS”). Any advice or dealing in relation to the Discretionary Trust Arrangement is provided by JLT Risk Solutions Pty Ltd (ABN 69 009 098 864, AFSL 226 827) (“JLT”). JGS and JLT are businesses of Marsh McLennan. The cover provided by the Discretionary Trust Arrangement is subject to the Trustee’s discretion and/or the relevant policy terms, conditions and exclusions.

LCPA 25/198