Contractor Specialists
20+ years of experience working with contractors
270k Businesses Covered
Trusted by businesses Australia-wide
All Policies, One Place
Cover from public liability to general property and beyond
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And get documents fast once cover is arranged
We only specialise in insurance for contractors, tradies, consultants, subcontractors and other self-employed professionals across Australia.
Contractor insurance is not one single policy. It is a general term for business insurance products that may help contractors manage the risks associated with their work. The cover that may be relevant depends on your occupation, the services you provide, your tools and equipment, business structure, employees, clients and contractual requirements.
Depending on the insurance arranged, cover may help with risks such as:
The insurance available will depend on your occupation, business activities, insurer acceptance, selected policies, limits, conditions and exclusions.
The insurance products that may be relevant to a contractor depend on the type of work performed and the risks involved. A tradesperson working on customer property can have different exposures from a consultant providing professional advice, an IT contractor supplying technology services or a health professional treating clients.
Running a contracting business can involve more than the work you do on site. You may also have tools, equipment, stock or a workshop to look after.
Business Package Insurance lets you combine a range of cover options in one policy, depending on your business activities, needs and the insurer’s requirements.
Cover options may include:
Depending on the insurer, additional options may include Management Liability, Employment Practices Liability, Employee Dishonesty and Statutory Liability. These may be offered within the package or require separate cover.
Not every business needs every section, and not all covers are automatically included. The cover you select should reflect the work you carry out, the property you use and the risks your business faces.
Available cover options, combinations and limits vary between insurers and policies. Some sections require another cover section to be selected. Cover is subject to policy terms, conditions, limits, excesses and exclusions.
This information is general only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the relevant policy wording or Product Disclosure Statement and, where applicable, Target Market Determination before deciding whether a product is right for you.
We work with contractors, sole traders and small businesses across a wide range of trades, professions and service industries, including but not limited to the list below. Available insurance products depend on your occupation, business activities, disclosures and insurer acceptance.
Cover options for contractors carrying out building, finishing and structural work across residential and commercial projects.
Cover options for contractors installing, maintaining or repairing electrical, mechanical and building systems.
Cover options for contractors working outdoors, maintaining properties or carrying out civil and site-based services.
Cover options for professionals involved in property, design, engineering and project management.
Cover options for contractors and professionals providing financial, legal, administrative and business services.
Cover options for eligible allied health professionals providing treatment, advice and client-facing services.
Cover options for eligible professionals working directly with clients across personal care, fitness and animal services.
Cover options for contractors providing creative, communications, entertainment and event-related services.
Cover options for eligible contractors supplying technology services, professional training and education.
This is just a small sample of the industries and occupations that we can help cover. If you don't see your occupation represented, our online quoter includes a more exhaustive list, or you can contact our brokers directly via the phone. Insurance availability, cover options and policy terms vary by occupation, business activities and insurer acceptance.
Every contractor’s risk profile is different. That is why we offer contractor insurance tailored to your specific occupation, with options designed to match how you work, your contractual requirements, and your level of exposure. From trades and construction roles through to consultants and creatives, you can find cover options aligned to your job needs, subject to policy terms and insurer acceptance.
The cost of contractors insurance varies depending on your occupation, the work you perform, annual turnover, contract and project types, employees and subcontractors, claims history, business property and the cover options selected. There is no single price that applies to every contractor. Insurers assess the activities and risks of each business when calculating a premium.
Several factors can influence the cost of contractors insurance. These can include your occupation and services, the size of the business, where and how you work, employees and subcontractors, business property and the types and limits of cover selected.
Contractors may compare different insurance products and cover limits depending on their occupation, business activities, client requirements, contracts, business structure and assets. Not every type of insurance will be relevant to every contractor.
The limits shown are examples of cover levels that may be available. Premiums, available limits and cover options are subject to individual underwriting, insurer acceptance and policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.
Provide your business details, compare available insurance options and receive your documents once cover has been arranged. 01 Step 1
Provide information about your occupation, services, annual turnover, business structure, employees, subcontractors and other details requested by the insurer.
Compare available insurance products, policy limits and insurer options against your business activities and any insurance requirements that apply to your contracts or work.
Once eligible cover has been accepted, arranged and paid for, your Certificate of Currency and relevant policy documents can be issued electronically.
Cover is subject to insurer acceptance and the relevant policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.
Contractor Cover is the one-stop insurance shop for contractors across Australia.
We help contractors, subcontractors and small businesses compare commonly arranged business insurance options in one place. Choose from available cover types and limits based on your trade, business activities and contract requirements, subject to insurer acceptance, policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.
Call our team today at 1300 438 268 for more information or fill in our easy online quote form.
270k+ businesses covered
20+ years of experience
Contractor insurance specialists
At Contractor Cover, we’re proud to have a dedicated executive team that brings decades of experience, strategic insight, and an unwavering commitment to supporting Australian contractors.
John Elliott is the founder of Elliott Insurance Brokers, the business behind Contractor Cover. With nearly 20 years of insurance industry experience, John helps guide the business with a focus on practical cover, reliable service and clear support for Australian contractors.
Rachael Milne joined Elliott Insurance Brokers in 2012 and supports the systems, planning and financial structure behind Contractor Cover. Her work helps the business operate smoothly while supporting clear, reliable insurance services for contractors Australia-wide.
Kris Wright supports Contractor Cover through technology, systems and process improvement. His work helps keep the online quote experience simple, organised and efficient, making it easier for contractors to compare cover options and access documents quickly.
Tim Stingers brings more than a decade of insurance experience, with a strong focus on trades and construction. His knowledge helps support contractor-focused cover options for tradies, subcontractors and small construction businesses.
General property insurance protects your transportable tools, equipment and business items from loss, damage or theft. Contractors and…
Public liability insurance is a type of insurance that protects contractors and businesses if a third party claims…
Professional indemnity insurance protects Australian tradespeople and professionals when a client claims they suffered a financial loss because of your advice,…
There is no single insurance package that every Australian contractor needs. The products that may be relevant depend on your occupation, business activities, clients, employees, assets and contractual requirements.
Public Liability is commonly considered by contractors who interact with customers, work at third-party locations or could cause injury or property damage through their business activities. Professional Indemnity may be relevant where a contractor provides professional advice or specialist services.
There is no single national rule requiring every contractor in Australia to hold Public Liability Insurance.
However, it may be required under an occupational licence, client contract, tender, lease, principal contractor arrangement or site-access condition. Contractors should check the requirements applying to their particular work rather than assuming the same rules apply to every occupation.
Contractor insurance can refer to several different insurance products rather than one standard policy.
Depending on the cover selected, policies may address third-party injury and property damage, professional negligence claims, tools and business property, cyber incidents, loss of income following a covered injury or illness and certain management or business risks.
Public Liability Insurance is primarily concerned with claims that negligent business activities caused a third party personal injury or property damage.
Professional Indemnity Insurance is designed for claims involving professional advice or specialist services, including allegations of negligence, errors or omissions that cause a third party financial loss.
A contractor can potentially have exposures in both areas depending on the work performed.
Portable Equipment Insurance, also known as General Property Insurance, can be available within Business Insurance and is designed to cover eligible portable business property against loss or damage caused by insured events.
For contractors, this may include eligible tools of trade, portable equipment and electronic items used away from the main business premises. Limits, insured events, security requirements and exclusions vary between policies.
Portable Equipment / General Property Insurance may provide cover for eligible tools and equipment while they are being transported or used away from the main business premises.
However, theft from a vehicle can be subject to specific security requirements, limits and exclusions. Contractors should check the relevant policy wording to understand when tools stored in or taken from a vehicle may be covered.
Sole traders can face many of the same business risks as larger contracting businesses, including third-party liability claims, damage to tools and equipment and periods where injury or illness prevents them from working.
Whether a particular insurance product is relevant depends on the work performed, business assets, contracts and individual circumstances.
A subcontractor is not automatically covered simply because the principal contractor holds insurance.
Whether a subcontractor is insured depends on the policy wording, insured parties, declared activities and the contractual arrangements involved. Contractors and subcontractors should check their own insurance arrangements and any requirements set by the principal contractor or client.
Personal Accident & Illness Insurance can provide a weekly income benefit where an insured person is medically certified as unable to work for the required period because of an accidental injury or illness.
It is designed for eligible self-employed people, sole traders and other business operators whose income may be affected when they cannot work.
No. Personal Accident & Illness Insurance and Workers Compensation Insurance serve different purposes.
Personal Accident & Illness is designed around benefits for the insured individual when injury or illness prevents them from working. Workers Compensation is a statutory insurance system for eligible employees suffering work-related injury or illness.
Personal Accident & Illness Insurance does not replace Workers Compensation obligations where they apply.
Cyber Liability may be relevant to contractors who store personal information, use online systems, access client networks, process electronic payments or depend on digital systems to operate their business.
Depending on the policy, it may provide protection for certain data breaches, cybercrime, cyber extortion, forensic investigation, data recovery, notification costs and other covered cyber incidents.
A Certificate of Currency is evidence that an insurance policy is current on the date shown.
Clients, principal contractors, construction companies, landlords and other organisations may request a Certificate of Currency before a contractor begins work.
A Certificate of Currency does not by itself confirm that every activity, contract condition or claim is covered. The underlying policy wording, insured activities, limits and exclusions still apply.
Common Public Liability limits available in the market include $5 million, $10 million and $20 million.
The limit available or required for a particular contractor can depend on the occupation, insurer, client contract, licence, tender or site-access conditions.
Common Professional Indemnity limits can include $1 million, $2 million and $5 million.
The amount relevant to a particular contractor depends on the professional services performed, insurer options and any contractual, registration or professional requirements applying to the business.
Contractor insurance premiums depend on factors including occupation, annual turnover, services performed, employees, subcontractors, project types, insurance limits, business assets and claims history.
Because contractor businesses differ significantly, there is no single premium that applies to every occupation or business.
Contractors should review their insurance at renewal and when there are significant changes to their business or work activities.
Common review triggers include:
Eligible contractors can complete the Contractor Cover online quote process to compare available insurance options.
Once cover has been accepted by the insurer, arranged and paid for, relevant policy documents and a Certificate of Currency can be issued electronically.
We take your privacy seriously. Your information is collected, stored and used to arrange insurance, issue documents, support your policy and assist with claims.
You may view our full privacy policy at any time for more information about how personal information is collected, used, disclosed and protected.
Start by selecting your occupation and requesting an online quote. If you cannot find your occupation or need general information about a specialist contracting activity, contact our team.
Mon - Fri: 8:30am - 7:00pm WST
Sat: 9:00am - 5:00pm WST
info@contractorcover.com.au
1300 438 268
Different business types need different quote pathways. Choose the option that best fits the work you do.
For consultants, IT contractors, project managers, designers, advisors and other non-trade professional services across a wide range of industries.
Contractor QuoteYou will be directed to business.contractorcover.com.au
For trade-based businesses, builders, contractors, mining services, civil, construction, plant, installation, maintenance and industrial work.
Trade QuoteYou will be directed to alltradescover.com.au/get-a-quote
