Trades Insurance – Granite Belt Insurance Brokers
The right cover depends on the work you actually do and the sites you work on — not just what you called yourself when you first started.
Granite Belt Insurance Brokers helps tradies and contractors arrange practical insurance that fits real-world exposures — including public and products liability,
tools/equipment, contract works (where appropriate), business interruption (where appropriate), and vehicles/plant where needed.
We’re insurance brokers (not insurers), which means we help compare options and place cover with an insurer that matches your risk, your contracts and your budget.
🧰 Need trades cover sorted?
✅ What trades insurance is designed to protect
Most tradies need a mix of covers depending on the trade, sites, contract terms and the value of tools/gear. Common sections include:
- 🧑🔧 Public & products liability — injury or property damage claims arising from your work (and products supplied).
- 🧰 Tools & portable equipment — theft/damage of tools and gear (including from vehicles, subject to conditions).
- 🏗️ Contract works / works in progress (where appropriate) — damage to the job while it’s being built/installed.
- 🏢 Business property (where applicable) — workshop/yard contents, stock, signage and business contents.
- 🚗 Vehicles, trailers and plant (where needed) — commercial motor or specialist cover for plant/equipment.
- 💼 Business interruption (where appropriate) — helps protect cashflow after an insured event stops trading.
⚠️ Common gaps we see in trades cover (and how to avoid them)
- Trade description doesn’t match reality: the declared business activity is too broad or too narrow.
- Contract requirements missed: principals often require specific limits, interested parties, or clauses.
- Tools theft conditions: “left in vehicle”, security, time limits and evidence requirements can bite.
- Subcontractors & labour hire: who is responsible for what can be unclear at claim time.
- Hot works / height / hazardous tasks: some activities can be excluded or need to be declared.
- Property you’re working on: damage to existing structures may need specific wording/sections.
Most disputes happen when the paperwork doesn’t match the job. Broker-led placement is about aligning your actual work, contracts and tool values
to a policy that’s designed to respond.
🧭 How we set up trades insurance (simple and practical)
- 1) What you do — trade type, typical jobs, any specialist work (height, hot works, excavation, etc.).
- 2) Where you do it — domestic vs commercial, farms vs town sites, and who your principals are.
- 3) Contracts & limits — required liability limits and any special clauses to meet.
- 4) Tools & equipment — what you carry, where it’s stored, and realistic replacement values.
- 5) Vehicles/plant — whether commercial motor or specialist placement is needed.
📄 If you need to make a claim (what to do first)
Claims go smoother when notified early and documented properly.
- 📣 Notify early: contact us as soon as practical so the insurer can confirm next steps.
- 📷 Evidence matters: photos, incident notes, quotes/invoices, police report (if theft), CCTV if available.
- 🛠️ Prevent further loss: reasonable temporary protection/repairs may be required — keep receipts.
- 🤝 Broker support: we’ll help present the facts clearly and keep the process moving.
👥 Who this cover suits (and when you may need something different)
✅ A good fit if you:
- Work as a trade contractor or sole trader and need liability, tools and contract-aligned protection.
- Carry tools/gear between sites and want theft/damage cover structured correctly.
- Want a broker to help match your actual work to insurer appetite and wording.
⚠️ You may need a different approach if you:
- Do high-risk specialist work that needs a specialist market or higher limits.
- Run multiple crews/large contracts requiring tailored contract works, plant and bespoke endorsements.
🔎 Quick checklist before you renew
- 🧰 Tools list/value changed (new gear, higher replacement costs)?
- 🏗️ Doing different work types (height, hot works, excavation, waterproofing, etc.)?
- 📄 New contract requirements (limits, interested parties, special clauses)?
- 🚗 New vehicles/trailers/plant or different use?
- 👷 More subcontractors or labour hire involved?