Contractor and Sub-Contractor Insurance

Secure Your Tools, Vehicles, and Livelihood with Personalised Sub-Contractor and Contractor Public Liability Insurance.

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All Types Of Occupations And Cover Options

Whether you’re on the tools daily or managing teams across multiple sites, working in any trades always involves managing risk. From accidents on site to lost tools or third-party claims, it’s up to you to make sure your business and staff are protected. After all, just one incident can result in legal expenses, downtime, or major equipment losses.

That’s why having reliable trades insurance is critical for contractors and sub-contractors alike. At CGIB, your custom insurance package will be tailored to your exact trade industry. From contractor public liability insurance to sub-contractor insurance, we help tradies stay protected, compliant, and ready for the next job. Don’t take the risk—get peace of mind and leave your insurance to the experts.


Please refer to the Insurer’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or Policy Wording when deciding if this product is right for you

What is Trades Insurance for Contractors & Sub-contractors?

Trades insurance is a bundled insurance solution built to safeguard contractors and sub-contractors from the everyday risks of working in the field. It includes a range of essential protection such as contractor public liability insurance, property and tool cover, and loss of income in case of illness or injury. This type of insurance is made for those working across:

  • Carpentry, plumbing, and electrical.
  • Bricklaying, tiling, and painting.
  • Landscaping, concreting, and earthworks.
  • Mowing, gardening, and general trade work.
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A Comprehensive Approach to Trade Insurance

Contractor Public Liability Insurance

Essential cover that safeguards you if your work causes injury or property damage to a third party.

Public & Products Liability

Coverage for claims arising from services or products that you supply during your trade.

Personal Accident & Illness

Provides income protection if you’re unable to work due to a work-related injury or serious illness.

Tools & Equipment Insurance

Covers the theft or accidental damage to your tools, whether that be on-site or in your vehicle.

Vehicles & Trailers

Coverage for utes, bobcats, ride-on mowers, trailers, and trade vehicles used in your everyday work.

Machinery & Plant Insurance

Protects large plant or machinery essential to your operations, including hired-in or owned equipment.

Why No Trade Insurance Isn’t an Option

Working in a trade comes with risk—it’s unfortunately an unavoidable part of it. An injury, stolen tool kit, or liability claim can halt your business operations or cost you thousands in damages. In extreme cases, this can even spell the end for your business.

What you can control is the level of protection you have. Insurance, like contractor public liability insurance, helps cover legal fees and damages if something goes wrong while you’re working.

Let’s look at how this works in a real-world scenario. A sub-contractor installing kitchen cabinetry accidentally damages a customer’s tiled floor. The client demands compensation. With CGIB’s sub-contractor insurance, the damage is fully covered, saving the business from out-of-pocket expenses and reputational damage.

Contractor and Sub-Contractor Insurance

  • Find the Right Coverage: Whether you’re a sub-contractor, solo tradie, or run a small crew, your policy is built around your needs.
  • Pricing That Works for You: Choose to pay monthly, or annually to suit your cash flow.
  • Backed by Major Insurers: We work with Australia’s leading insurers for coverage that’s as strong as it is reliable.
  • Fast Claims Support: Our team ensures claims are processed quickly so you can get back to work faster.
  • Specialist Trade Advice: We understand trade licensing and insurance requirements—and we’re here to make it simple.
  • Nationwide Cover: Whether you’re working in the city or out in the bush, CGIB covers you wherever you end up.

Keep Up To Date On News And Insights From The Blog

Providing you with great insurance products to protect what’s most important to you is a given. But we also believe in keeping you up to date with the day to day risks that businesses face. Check out our blog for the latest.

What insurance do contractors and sub-contractors need?
Stop Your Tools & Equipment Going Walkies: Here’s How
Supply Chain Disruptions & Business Interruption Cover

Hear Directly from Our Clients

Don’t take our word for it, see what other business owners and clients have to say.

PINA SERNIO
Wouldn't go anywhere else! We have been in the building industry for over forty years and have used other companies to handle our insurances and it was a nightmare. CGIB has been responsive, efficient and pleasure to do business with. They have handled our claims in a speedy manner and stayed on top of things, sending ME friendly reminders to help me stay on top of things. We have been with them for what could be over 15 years and highly recommend them.
Peter Clapham
Very easy to work with. Nothing a problem Caroline exception to deal with always obliging.
Cheryl Griffiths
We have used CGIB for many years. Caroline is very easy to deal with. Communication is always punctual & polite.
Todd Hampson
Thank you, CGIB has been an easy company to work with and was able to find me a competitive insurance offering.
Carl
Very knowledgeable and helpful. My hat off to Sarah and the team. So friendly and she goes out of her way to help as much as possible.
Anthony
Our family has been working with Joe and his team for over 15 years and we couldn’t be happier with the service. From day one, they’ve been hardworking, trustworthy, and genuinely committed to looking after our needs. What really sets them apart is how they stay on top of current insurance developments and proactively keep us informed. Joe and his team take the time to understand our situation and always provide clear, honest guidance. They’re not just our insurance brokers—they’re trusted advisors we rely on completely. We can’t recommend CGIB highly enough.
Kate Campbell
Efficient and wonderful service and experience. Thank you Andrea
Anthony Nelson
Once again Caroline has been amazing to deal with, her experience and knowledge is second to none, I would not insure with anyone else.
Martin Freney
Caroline Cori at CGIB has provided excellent service over many years. I particularly appreciate her thorough approach in making sure the insurance cover is genuinely suited to my needs, not just off-the-shelf, while also getting me a great price.
Kristen Heinrich
Caroline Cori has been absolutely fantastic to deal with, she has always been prompt, professional and knowledgeable with her responses and feedback. Highly recommend to any individual or Business seeking insurance advice!

Secure Your Trade Business Today

A single accident could be catastrophic for your business. Don’t leave yours unprotected; get the coverage you need, with policies designed for tradies, by people who know the industry.

Get a trades insurance quote today, or speak to our insurance experts to tailor your coverage. Whether you’re a business owner or an individual tradie, don’t wait to protect what you’ve worked hard to build.

If you are a builder, ensure your business is fully covered with our comprehensive Builders’ Insurance Products. Need coverage for your tools on the move? Explore our professional Mobile Plant, Equipment and Machinery Insurance to keep your operations running smoothly—no matter where the job takes you.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Contractor public liability insurance protects you if your business activities cause injury to someone else or damage their property. For example, if you accidentally damage a client’s home while carrying out work or a passer-by is injured by your tools or equipment, this insurance covers the legal costs and compensation. It’s a vital safeguard for tradies working in any public or client-facing environment.

Yes, sub-contractors should always have their own cover. Even if you’re working under a head contractor, you can still be held legally and financially responsible for your own work. Sub-contractor insurance provides you with essential protection in case of injury, property damage, or other claims—helping you stay financially secure and legally compliant, no matter whose job site you’re working on.

Trades insurance is a tailored package designed to cover the unique risks faced by tradies. This can include public liability, tool and equipment protection, personal accident and illness cover, vehicle and trailer insurance, and machinery protection. Policies are flexible and can be adjusted to suit your trade, whether you’re a plumber, electrician, landscaper, or sub-contractor working under another business.

Getting a quote with CGIB is easy. All you have to do is complete our quick online form to receive a customised estimate or speak with one of our insurance experts for tailored advice. We’ll then guide you through the options so your cover reflects your trade, work type, and any specific risks you face.

While trades insurance isn’t always legally required, certain coverages—like contractor public liability insurance—are often mandatory under client contracts, licensing bodies, or industry associations. Even when it’s not required, having insurance is strongly recommended to protect yourself from the high costs of unexpected claims, accidents, or legal disputes.