Plumbing
Why Plumbers Need More Than Basic Coverage
Water damage is one of the most common and expensive types of property damage in both residential and commercial buildings. As a plumber, you work directly with systems that, when they fail, can cause catastrophic damage to structures, furnishings, and personal property.
The nature of plumbing work means that problems often don't appear immediately. A slow leak behind a wall can go unnoticed for months, causing mold growth and structural damage long after you've completed the job and moved on.
What This Means for Your Business
Think about a typical service call. You repair a water heater connection, and everything seems fine when you leave. Two weeks later, the connection fails, flooding the homeowner's basement and destroying stored belongings.
Without proper coverage, you're personally responsible for repair costs, replacement of damaged property, and potentially even temporary housing expenses for the homeowner. These claims can quickly reach amounts that would bankrupt a small plumbing business.
Essential Coverages for Plumbing Contractors
Plumbing contractors should build their insurance program around these core coverages:
- General liability insurance covering third-party injuries and property damage
- Completed operations coverage for claims arising after work is finished
- Professional liability protecting against design or specification errors
- Commercial auto insurance for service vehicles
- Tools and equipment coverage for pumps, cameras, and specialized plumbing tools
Does My Coverage Address Water Damage Claims?
Water damage claims are among the most common in the plumbing industry, yet not all policies handle them the same way. Understanding exactly what your policy covers before a claim occurs is essential.
Some policies exclude certain types of water damage or have specific conditions around completed work. Review your coverage carefully and ask questions about scenarios specific to plumbing operations. The time to discover gaps is before you need to file a claim.
Working Across Residential and Commercial Projects
Plumbing contractors who work on both residential and commercial projects face varied exposures. Commercial jobs often involve more complex systems, larger potential claims, and stricter insurance requirements from general contractors.
If you're expanding from residential into commercial work, review your coverage limits and policy terms. What protected you adequately on home service calls may not be sufficient for a commercial tenant buildout or new construction project.