Table of contents
Similar to carpenters, handymen, electricians, gas fitters and general contractors, plumbers must have business insurance in place as part of their operation to ensure their financial protection and a safety net if things go wrong. Plumber insurance grants the comprehensive protection plumbers need against lawsuits, accidents on the job, and other risks related to plumbing business operations. You might also need this if you’re a newbie who want to start a plumbing company.
It’s important to get a countermeasure in case your employee or your business is held liable for accidents that result in bodily injuries or property damage to third parties.
Consider getting general liability insurance for plumbers.
Also called plumbing liability insurance, general liability insurance grants protection if a claim for bodily injury or property damage is filed because:
A client or supplier slipped and fell while in your plumbing business’s office
An independent contractor experienced an occupational accident while working for you
The client’s pipe exploded while you were cleaning it
Your plumbing company gets a minimum of $300,000-$2 million from general liability insurance. This can be used to cover:
The claimant’s medical treatment
The claimant’s property damage reimbursement
Defense costs
Court judgments
The general liability insurance in plumbers insurance packages is a broad-form policy. It will also help if you face these exposures:
Slander, copyright, and libel claims
Damage to a rented commercial space
Claims for bodily injuries or property damage filed against a completed plumbing service
This table compares the quotes of the companies that underwrite general liability insurance for plumbers. The figures come from online quotes that the companies below issue to prospective customers:
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 |
| Products and completed operations aggregate limit | $2 ,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Personal and advertising injury coverage aggregate limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Tenant legal liability coverage aggregate limit | $100,000 | $1,000,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Non-owned/hired auto liability coverage limit | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Equipment breakdown floater | Excluded | $2,500-$5,000 | $2,500-$5,000 | Excluded |
| Employment benefits liability floater | Included | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $0 | $0 | $0 | $500-$2,500 |
Plumbers public liability insurance covers bodily injuries or property damage sustained by third parties because of your business. This doesn’t grant protection against other exposures. In the USA, public liability insurance is included in the language of general liability insurance.
Comprehensively designed plumber insurance programs offer professional liability insurance aside from general liability insurance. It’s because plumbing projects, similar to water restoration projects, can have leakage and other defects caused by errors and mistakes.
Professional liability insurance grants protection if a client files a claim because your business or its employee caused issues while working.
You can use this insurance to cover settlements, defense costs, and court judgments if you’re held liable for:
Negligence
Misrepresentation
Violation of good faith
Violation of fair dealing
Breach of contract
Most plumbing company insurance packages offer professional liability insurance with a $250,000-$2 million per occurrence limit.
Moreover, this is underwritten as a claims-made or per occurrence policy.
This table compares the features and limits of the professional liability insurance of companies that underwrite small business insurance for plumbers. Figures, you see below, are based on online quotes:
| CoverWallet (Best) | NEXT | Thimble | Hiscox | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $10,000/25,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $250,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $20,000/$50,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $250,000 |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Deductible | $0 | $0 | $500 | $500 |
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
Aside from lawsuits, the damage or destruction of your office, equipment, and other commercial property can result in significant drawbacks for your plumbing business.
Commercial property insurance protects your business’s tangible assets. This will reimburse your losses and helps you recover if these exposures happen:
Fire
Theft
Vandalism
Civil commotion
Riot
Volcanic action
Lightning
Impact
Vehicle
Aircraft
Rain
Winds
Snow
Hail
Note that commercial property insurance doesn’t only cover the equipment and building of your business. This inclusion in plumbing contractors insurance packages can also reimburse your losses if pipes to be sold and installed get damaged or destroyed while in the business premises.
Remember that commercial property insurance doesn’t grant protection against floods, mudslides, landslides, and earthquakes. You need to purchase floaters to enjoy protection against these.
This table compares the limits and features of commercial property insurance from the recommended companies. The figures provided below are based on the respective quotes we collected online.
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $110,000 | $100,000 | $15,000 |
| Contents coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $15,000 | $100,000 | $15,000 |
| Outdoor signs | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded |
| Accounts receivable | Excluded | Excluded | $5,000/10,000 | Included |
| Money and securities | Excluded | $2,500 | $1,000 | Included |
| Lock and keys | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded |
| Business interruption floater | Excluded | Included | Included | Included |
| Equipment breakdown floater | Excluded | Included | Excluded | Excluded |
| Inland marine insurance floater | Excluded | Excluded | $10,000 | Excluded |
| Employee dishonesty floater | Excluded | $5,000 | $2,500 | Included |
Commercial plumbing insurance packages might offer a business owner’s policy.
Getting a business owner’s policy is a good idea if you only plan to get commercial property insurance and general liability insurance.
A business owner’s policy combines general liability insurance and commercial property insurance into one coverage that’s cheaper and easier to manage.
It might also allow you to get optional policies such as business interruption and employee dishonesty insurance.
You can’t only insure business property but also employees too. This is done by purchasing workers’ compensation insurance.
Workers’ compensation is a plumbing insurance coverage that provides a helping hand when an employee experiences a work-related injury or disease.
So how does it function? Workers’ compensation insurance provides the money your business can use to pay an employee’s:
Medical treatment
Hospitalization
Medication
Rehabilitation and retraining
Lost wages
Funeral expenses and allowance to dependents in case of death
Employer’s liability insurance is offered as part of commercial plumbing insurance plans. This plumbing business insurance covers settlements, defense costs, and court judgments if an employee holds your business liable for occupational disease or injury.
You can choose to remove or add employer’s liability insurance to workers’ compensation insurance.
It’s also possible for workers’ compensation insurance to automatically have this. In such a case, employer’s liability insurance can’t be removed.
Tools and equipment insurance is offered as a stand-alone policy or as a floater to commercial property insurance or general liability insurance of plumbing company insurance programs.
Also called plumbers tools insurance, this protects the drills, wrenches, welding machines, and other implements for fixing or installing plumbing systems.
Tools and equipment insurance kicks in when plumbing equipment and tools you own get damaged or lost because of:
Fire
Theft
Operator error
Electrical breakdown
Electrical shorts
Mechanical breakdown
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | |
|---|---|---|
| General liability insurance | $50.08 | $600.96 |
| Professional liability insurance | $60 | $720 |
| Commercial property insurance | $53.08 | $636.96 |
| Workers compensation insurance | $80.25 | $963 |
| Business owner’s policy | $52 | $624 |
General liability insurance for plumbing contractors costs $50.08 per month or $600.96 per year for a $1 million coverage. This plumbing liability insurance cost estimate assumes that you have 5 employees and make $500,000-$750,000 per year. Get cheap plumbing insurance by:
Having high deductibles
Removing floaters if they’re useless
Getting policy bundle discounts
To determine plumbing insurance cost, carriers use your location, business history, claims history, annual revenues, and number of employees.
In connection, here’s a table showing the cost of the recommended companies:
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEXT | $29.50 | $354 | Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for plumbing businesses |
| CoverWallet | $32.75 | $393 | Plumbing insurance quotes comparison online |
| Tivly | $33 | $396 | Comparing plumbing insurance quotes over the phone |
| Thimble | $34.91 | $418.92 | Short term plumber’s insurance |
| Hiscox | $49.39 | $592.68 | Independent contractors looking for comprehensive coverage that’s tailored to their industry at affordable rates |
| State Farm | $50 | $600 | Customizable plumbing insurance |
| GEICO | $59 | $708 | Commercial auto insurance for plumbers |
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
Read the reviews below to know the pros, cons, and $1 million general liability insurance rate of the best plumbing insurance companies.
| Insuranks rating | 7/10 |
|---|---|
| Best for | Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for plumbing businesses |
| Average cost | $29.50 per month |
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| CEO | Guy Goldstein |
| Headquarters | 75 California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States |
Best overall
Get an online proof of insurance and send as a text message, email, or social media post
Fastest general liability insurance for plumbing businesses
Great customer service and reputation
Issues an online proof of insurance instantly
Outstanding value for money
Bundle two or more insurance policies and get a 10% discount
No reason to
NEXT offers streamlined online solutions in its plumber’s insurance. Through its platform, the company allows customers to add or remove insurance policies, pay premiums, and get instant proof of insurance. Policies included in NEXT’s plumbing business insurance are general liability with tools and equipment coverage, workers compensation, commercial auto, and commercial property insurance. Get a 10% discount if you buy more than one policy from NEXT.
| Insuranks rating | 10/10 |
|---|---|
| Best for | Plumbing insurance quotes comparison online |
| Average cost | $32.75 per month |
| Year Founded | September 2015 and acquired by AON at 2020 |
| CEO | Inaki Beringuer (former) |
| Headquarters | 101 Avenue of the Americas 18th Floor New York, NY 10013 United States |
Has an online quotes generator that allow you to compare the offers of different insurance companies
Get insured online
Offers more than 17 types of business insurance products
Not an insurance company. Therefore, the policies CoverWallet offers are underwritten by its partners
CoverWallet isn’t really an insurance company. It’s an insurance broker selling plumbing insurance to its partners such as CNA and Progressive. Nonetheless, we included it in our list because it also offers tailored plumbing insurance by customizing the insurance products of partners.
Plumbing businesses can choose between four insurance options. Customers can get plumbing business insurance having general liability only, general liability and professional liability, general liability with professional liability and workers comp, or a customized insurance plan which can be added with any insurance policies needed.
| Insuranks rating | 10/10 |
|---|---|
| Best for | Comparing plumbing insurance quotes over the phone |
| Average cost | $33 per month |
| Year Founded | 2009 |
| CEO | Mark McClure |
| Headquarters | Norman, Oklahoma |
Responsive customer service
Call and compare quotes over the phone
A partner of many reputable insurance companies
You need to call to get a quote
Tivly (formerly CommercialInsurance.NET) grants coverage through its contractors insurance program. Policies you can get are general liability, workers compensation, commercial property, and other business insurance policies.
To get covered, you need to call a representative who will discuss the details of the policies you wish to purchase. That said, call Tivly now to compare quotes over the phone.
| Insuranks rating | 9/10 |
|---|---|
| Best for | Short term plumber’s insurance |
| Average cost | $34.91 per month |
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| CEO | Jay Bregman |
| Headquarters | New York City |
Get covered online
Insurance for plumbers by the hour, day, week, or month
Some customers reported that Thimble took long to respond upon being asked about the status of claims
Thimble offers short-term general liability insurance for plumbing businesses and independent plumbers. Coverage can last for hours, days, weeks, or months. You can also get a long-term plumbing contractor insurance plan consisting of general liability, commercial property, and workers’ compensation insurance.
| Insuranks rating | 6/10 |
|---|---|
| Best for | Independent contractors looking for comprehensive coverage that’s tailored to their industry at affordable rates |
| Average cost | $49.39 per month |
| Year Founded | 1901 |
| CEO | Aki Hussain |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia |
Offers hefty limits on its liability insurance for plumbers
Worldwide coverage
14-day money-back guarantee
Complaints from customers are considerably high
Hiscox offers general liability, business owner’s policy, and professional liability insurance for plumbing businesses. This company is great for customers who want to get $300,000-$2 million worth of coverage with waiver of subrogation included.
| Insuranks rating | 5/10 |
|---|---|
| Best for | Customizable plumbing insurance |
| Average cost | $50 per month |
| Year Founded | 1922 |
| CEO | Michael L. Tipsord |
| Headquarters | Bloomington, Illinois, United States |
Affordable general liability coverage
Wide range of policies
Customizable policies
Pricey public liability policies
State Farm is one of the largest insurance companies in the United States, and the company was founded in 1922. State Farm is known for using exclusive agents, ensuring that only their agents are the only ones who can sell State Farm insurance products.
State Farm plumbing coverage includes property coverage, installation insurance, mobile equipment coverage, and general liability. Also, the company allows clients to fully customize their policies.
| Insuranks rating | 7/10 |
|---|---|
| Best for | Business owner’s policy for plumbers |
| Average Cost | $59 per month |
| Year Founded | 1963 |
| CEO | Todd Combs |
| Headquarters | Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States |
Cheap prices for commercial auto insurance
Offers personal and advertising injury, cyber liability, and other business insurance coverage for small and big plumbing companies in partnership with Hiscox
Doesn’t have its own insurance for plumbers and offers policies from its partners
GEICO was founded in the 1930s as the Government Employees Insurance Company, and they are known for their marketing campaign that features their signature Geico. While the company mainly deals in auto insurance, they also specialize in business coverage.
GEICO plumbing commercial insurance is available to customers in partnership with Hiscox. This policy will cover plumbers in case of property damage, physical injuries, and advertising injury.
10 / 10
For me this company has proven to be the best to do business with and worth my hard earned money. Contractors this is your company look no further.
7.7 / 10
Decent experience with Hiscox business insurance
10 / 10
Good company. Good and knowledgable customer service. If they don't know something they will pass you on to a more experienced rep that is more knowledgable. So far so good.
10 / 10
Best insurance ever
10 / 10
Coolest concept, I wish this was applied to other insurance products too.
9.4 / 10
Fastest ever online insurance quote and purchase! Also, great rates and professional customer reps that helps with whatever you need, if you need. Nice company!
2.8 / 10
Embroker sells a product that it doesn't honor. We purchased a combination D&O and EPLI policy. However, when it came to renewal, it told us that we only had D&O coverage even through our ACCORD certificate clearly mentions we have both. Basically they refused to honor the EPLI coverage and will leave you hanging with the bag. At time of renewal, they more than doubled our quote to get similar coverage. Basically BAIT & SWITCH. Unacceptable tactics. Easy to buy and pay but you may not be... Read More
2.8 / 10
Great platform. Terrible policy. There is no teeth behind it. No coverage. It's a fake policy that they sell. Sold us an EPLI policy that later we came to find out had no EPLI coverage. Amazing that they can get away with outright fraud. Check the positive reviews. They are all 'Anonymous' posted by Emroker staff. Stay away and find a real policy that will actually provide you coverage. We've been bitten by them and hope to find restitution via a lawsuit.
Paul Burns Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
It has been 70 days since I made a claim on the roof of my building. No one from the company will return calls. We are in hurricane season and located in Louisiana. My building is tarped to secure it.
Felicia Broadus Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
They are the worst, my truck was hit in January 23 and the claim adjuster has not been out to this very day! They have every excuse in the book as to why. They have not been to the collision shop. PLEASE AVOID THESE SCAM ARTIST!
Felicia Broadus Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
Avoid these SCAM ARTISTS! They don’t pay claims!!! Save yourself the trouble and money!
Kasey Arey Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
This company gives you a price that was in place for a year and when you have to use it there is fine print were they can go back and charge you more. Would not recommend them to any one. Crooks
John Murphy Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
Worst insurance comapny I have ever dealt with. A commercial vehicle represented by GUARD t boned my wife and daughters family vehicle in the middle of the day. Driver was cited and insurance claim insued. Fast forward 4 months and refusal of full amount of claim is still happening. Driver was found guilty, repairs started on my vehicle and when it comes to the final bill and diminished value we cannot get any help. I am out a family car, have an injured and traumatized wife and children,... Read More
Harshadray Patel Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
Extremely bad service, when you call , will make you wait on the phone for ever (over an Hour) and still no one to answer , so you end up hanging up. To cancel the policy, bounce you from one department to the other. They are supposed to refund from the date other insurance started and after sending the proof of other insurance policy, still they did not refund based on that actual date instead they use the date i managed to get hold of them. They charged me $7000.00 for a year's insurance on... Read More
Aaron Wensel Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
Guard Insurance is terrible. They were so bad I cancelled them because them couldn't figure out why I would never get a paper copy of the bill . Verified my address with them and still intermittent billing. I cancelled them in March through my local broker. Today 6/27 I get a letter in the mail from a collections company saying I owe 87.97. This was the first myself or my broker heard of owing this money. Here is some advice for this failure of a company send me a god damn bill and I will pay.... Read More
Michael Swink Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
My employer had to have workers compensation by law. He obtained a policy through this Berkshire Hathaway GUARD and they failed me. I fell from a ladder and fractured my spine in 7 different places, my clavicle in 4 places, and the base of my skull. Going to my Dr visits I was prescribed medication for pain and the insurance company placed a pre-authorization hold on me picking up the medication from Walgreens. The hold lasted 5 days! My weekly benefits have never been on time, right now... Read More
10 / 10
Liberty Mutual is one of the more simple companies to deal with. I had to file a claim for my business owner policy after I caught one of my employees stealing a large amount of products from my business. Liberty mutual paid the claim fast and with no efforts. I wish the legal process was as easy…
10 / 10
For me this company has proven to be the best to do business with and worth my hard earned money. Contractors this is your company look no further.
7.7 / 10
Decent experience with Hiscox business insurance
9.4 / 10
Very pleased with Hiscox - their small business insurance rates are very good and they specialize in small business which gives me a peace of mind as a small business owner. So far so good!
10 / 10
Their customer service is absolutely fantastic. Very patient, knowledgable and provided excellent explanation of the purchased policy. I would highly recommend this insurance company to anyone that's looking to protect their business from unexpected expense. Thank you Hiscox for doing a great job for my business!
0.6 / 10
STAY AWAY! I wouldn't recommend hiscox small business liability insurance to anyone. Better not waste both your money and your time. Hiscox customer service is extremely unpleasant, not organized and not professional. It is the worst company we have dealt with in almost 25 years in business!
10 / 10
Good company. Good and knowledgable customer service. If they don't know something they will pass you on to a more experienced rep that is more knowledgable. So far so good.
10 / 10
Extremely fast and simple. Wasted a lot of time and money until I found these guys! I feel like my business is in good hands now.
10 / 10
Hiscox's the best! My business is insured with them for over 12 years and am not planning to switch!
10 / 10
Excellent experience with Hiscox BOP for my coffee shop. They provided all it needed.
10 / 10
My HI barbershop is well covered with their great BOP product for 5 years already! not planning to switch!
10 / 10
Best insurance ever
10 / 10
Coolest concept, I wish this was applied to other insurance products too.
10 / 10
Great experience
6 / 10
Didn't relate to the concept much, but it makes sense if you need insurance to go
0 / 10
It doesn't really feel sustainable to me and doesn't offer business interruption, product liability and commercial property insurance. They have no local agents and despite their technology first approach you cannot file claims online. Additionally, product manufacturers are not covered by Thimble and they don't provide enterprise solutions.
10 / 10
As a contractor that works 3 times a week for a few hours, Thimble gets really handy for me and saves me money. I have no use for these massive business insurance coverages offered by traditional insurance companies.
10 / 10
Excellent concept which is useful to many small businesses!
10 / 10
Been waiting for this type of solution for a long time!
10 / 10
Love their business insurance solutions for freelancers! Great app!
Not all those who wander are lost.
Disclosure: Insuranks.com is an independent educational comparison service and an advertising-supported publisher. Some of the companies/offers that appear on the website are from our partners which we may receive compensation from. This may influence which companies/offers we write about and where and how it appears on the site. However, this does not impact our assessments. We solely highlight companies, products, and offers that can help you make smarter insurance decisions.
