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Why do Bricklayers need insurance?
Even when you know what you’re doing, bricklaying jobs don’t always go to plan. One mistake or unexpected issue on site can end up costing much more than the job itself. Insurance is there to help cover the financial impact when something goes wrong.
It’s also a requirement in many cases. Builders and property managers will often ask bricklayers for proof of insurance before letting them start work or come onto a site. A Certificate of Currency shows that your cover is current and meets their requirements, so you’re able to get on site and start work without issues.
Arman, from Westside Bricklaying
Arman was working on a retaining wall when part of the structure gave way and damaged a nearby fence and garden area. The cost to repair the damage was over $3,000, which was covered under his public liability insurance.
Danny, from Romano Masonry
Danny had his brick trolley and mixer stolen from his locked garage over the weekend. The tools, worth around $1,500, were covered under his unspecified tools of trade cover, helping him replace them and get back to work quickly.
Chris, from Ground Up Bricklaying Contractors
Chris was laying bricks on a residential build when mortar spilled onto a finished driveway, leaving permanent stains. The cleanup and repair costs were covered under his policy.
What makes a Bricklayers Insurance policy?
We know that you know you best. That's why we give you the tools to build your own tradies insurance policy across our three coverage types: Public & Products Liability (AKA Legal Liability), Tools & Equipment, and Tax Audit.
We start with Public & Products Liability Insurance
Legal Liability is included in every VIZ policy and consists of Public Liability Insurance and Products Liability Insurance. These are designed to cover you for costs that arise from third party claims against your work, or products that you use for work.**
THE FOUNDATION
Public & Products Liability Insurance
Why You Might Need It
As a Brickie, you face the risk of receiving a claim for compensation for damaging your client's or another third party's property or causing bodily injury.
The types of claims that Bricklayers receive are varied. An example is where a brickie receives a claim from a property owner alleging that the brickie, during the course of work had damaged a large and expensive glass door.
Whilst every claim is different, it is this type of situation where Public & Products Liability Insurance can become handy.
How It Works
Choose from $5, $10, or $20 million of cover. This is the maximum amount payable by the insurer for any one loss or in the policy period. Legal Liability is the foundation of each VIZ Tradies Insurance policy, and is included in every one.
It is ultimately up to you to decide how much cover you need. Be sure to consider factors like potential claims costs for personal to third parties, and remember that different amounts of coverage attract different premiums. Every Bricklaying business is different, so be sure to consider your own needs when selecting a limit.**
Then you can add Tools & Equipment Insurance
Tools & equipment insurance is an optional extra which you can add to your Public & Products Liability to create your tailored Bricklayers insurance policy. You can cover up to $25,000 of tools and equipment to protect yourself if they are stolen, or sustain loss or damage caused by an insured peril.**
THE REINFORCEMENT
Tools & Equipment Insurance
Why You Might Need It
If you're a bricklayer, you likely have tools and equipment that you need in order to complete jobs and get paid. That's why they may be worth protecting with more than lock and key. For a lot of tradies, no tools and equipment can mean no work.
Unfortunately, the theft of tools & equipment around Australia is on the rise. $33 million worth of tools were stolen from Victorian tradies alone in 2023, up from about $20 million worth in 2022 (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au). Losses often occur after a break in to a locked ute, toolbox, van, trailer or garage. Tools & Equipment Insurance is designed to protect you if your tools and equipment are stolen or sustain loss or damage caused by an insured peril.
How It Works
Tools & Equipment Insurance is an optional extra in your policy; you can add it to Legal Liability when creating your policy. If you ever wish to add it to your policy down the line, you can always give us a call or send us an email.
Tools and Equipment cover starts with $5,000 of cover for unspecified tools and equipment. Each unspecified tool and unspecified piece of equipment has a cover limit of $1,000 per item. To cover any tools and equipment valued over $1000, such as trailers or cement mixers, you simply need to individually specify these on the policy. In your policy, you can have up to $20,000 worth of these specified tools and equipment. Coupled with the initial $5,000 of unspecified equipment, Tools of Trade Cover offers up to $25,000 in total cover.
And finally... Tax Audit Insurance
Tax Audit Insurance is designed to cover costs such as accountant fees incurred from an audit by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Having audit insurance can allow you to go without the worry and compromised cash flow from paying unexpected fees in responding to a tax audit.**
THE FINAL TOUCH
Tax Audit Insurance
Why You Might Need It
The ATO can audit taxpaying entities at their discretion, regardless of suspicion, fault or evidence. Some taxpaying entities are selected for audit at random, some are selected based on the profile of their lodgements.
If you favour protecting your cashflow against unforeseen professional fees following a tax audit, you may want to consider adding this optional extra to your policy.
How It Works
Tax Audit Insurance is an optional extra on your policy, meaning that you're not required to take out the cover. If you ever wish to add it to your policy in the future, you can always get in touch with us and we can update it for you.
You can either opt in or out of $50,000 of Tax Audit cover for your Bricklaying business, and if you opt in, you can select an excess that is suitable for you.
What could the price look like for my Bricklayers Insurance?
We have given you a few examples here so you can get the gist of how much tradies insurance can cost, or you can click through to Get a Quote in less than 5 minutes.
POLICIES
Policy Examples
The following policy examples are based on fictional people and are provided to demonstrate how much a premium may be for various types of coverage.
Meet Ben
Ben, from NSW, got $5 million Legal Liability cover and skipped tools cover, for a Monthly Payment of around $29.***
Meet Nick
Nick, from SA, chose $10 million Legal Liability cover and insured $5,000 worth of tools, for a Monthly Payment of around $65.***
Meet Nathan
Nathan, from VIC, opted for $20 million Legal Liability cover, insured $9,000 worth of tools, and included $50K Tax Audit cover, for a Monthly Payment of around $94.***
Meet Ben
Ben, from NSW, got $5 million Legal Liability cover and skipped tools cover, for a Monthly Payment of around $29.***
Meet Nick
Nick, from SA, chose $10 million Legal Liability cover and insured $5,000 worth of tools, for a Monthly Payment of around $65.***
Meet Nathan
Nathan, from VIC, opted for $20 million Legal Liability cover, insured $9,000 worth of tools, and included $50K Tax Audit cover, for a Monthly Payment of around $94.***
Want to see what we can do for you?
Want to build your own policy and see how we can help you?
*All data is based upon VIZ Insurance portfolio experience, covering a sample four-year period.
**Any advice provided is general advice only and you should consider if it suits your needs. Please read the relevant Policy Wording to ensure the product is right for you. All product information contained within this website is subject to policy terms and conditions (including exclusion and limitations).
***Monthly Payments vary by state due to state-based stamp duty charges. VIZ charge an annual $25 Policy Fee + GST payable in addition to your premium. The prices shown are based on selecting; $500 excess, a business operating in NSW and is an indication only. Your premium will be calculated based on the information you provide to us during the insurance application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Public liability insurance is required for bricklayers working on most Australian building sites. Principal contractors and builders typically require subcontractors to hold current public liability insurance before starting work. It is also required for trade licensing in several states. VIZ Insurance provides bricklayer cover up to $20 million.
VIZ bricklayer public liability insurance covers third-party claims for bodily injury and property damage arising from your bricklaying work. This includes a site visitor being injured by falling materials, accidental damage to an adjacent structure, or a products liability claim related to mortar or materials you supply.
Bricklayer insurance premiums depend on your coverage limit and number of workers. VIZ Insurance offers monthly payment options with no added fees or interest. Get an instant quote at vizinsurance.com.au/bricklayers-insurance to see your exact premium.
Yes. If your bricklaying work accidentally damages an adjacent wall, structure, or neighbouring property, your VIZ public liability policy covers the third-party property damage claim — including legal costs and compensation. Subject to policy terms and conditions.
Yes. Virtually all principal contractors and builders in Australia require subcontract bricklayers to hold a current certificate of public liability insurance. Most will specify a minimum coverage limit — typically $10 million or $20 million — as part of their subcontractor agreement.