Insurance advice for Tasmanian builders, contractors and trades.
Construction and Trades Insurance Built For Tasmania
Protect your projects, tools, plant and people with cover designed around how you actually work on site. Local Hobart advice, backed by the national McLardy McShane network.
- Local broker working with builders and trades across Tasmania
- Access to major Australian insurers and specialist construction markets
- We deal with insurers so you can stay on the tools
Insurance for real Tasmanian builders and trades
Residential builders
Commercial builders
Electricians
Plumbers and gasfitters
Carpenters and joiners
Civil and earthmoving
Painters and plasterers
Landscapers and fencers
Specialist subcontractors
Common issues we find when reviewing construction insurance
Construction businesses change quickly. New contracts, bigger projects and more gear get added, but the insurance often stays the same. When we review trade and construction programs, some patterns appear again and again.
Liability limit too low for the contract
Head contractors and councils often require a specific public liability limit. Finding out at tender time can cost you the job.
Activities not declared
Work at heights, demolition, asbestos or design work added since the policy started, leaving claims open to dispute.
Tools only covered at the yard
Tools and equipment stolen from a ute or job site not covered because the policy only covers your premises.
No contract works cover
Relying on the client or head contractor to insure the works without checking who actually carries the risk under the contract.
Sole traders with no income protection
Owner operators are generally not covered by workers compensation, so an injury can stop your income completely.
Key covers for Tasmanian builders and trades
Public and products liability
Protection if your work causes injury or property damage, with limits that meet your contract requirements.
Contract works
Cover for the works under construction, materials on site and existing structures, for single projects or annually.
Tools and equipment
Portable tools and equipment covered on site, in transit and in your vehicle, not just at your premises.
Plant and machinery
Excavators, loaders, cranes and mobile plant, including hired in plant and machinery breakdown.
Commercial motor and fleet
Utes, trucks and trailers, including signwriting, tools fit out and vehicles used across multiple sites.
Professional indemnity
For design and construct work, project management, engineering and drafting advice.
Management liability
Cover for the business and its directors for employment disputes, regulatory investigations and fraud.
Personal accident and illness
Income protection for sole traders and owners who are not covered by workers compensation.
Business package
Your workshop, office, stock and business interruption in one policy.
Workers compensation
Mandatory for employees, and sometimes for contractors. We help you work out who needs to be covered.
Contract requirements: get them right before you sign
Contract review support
We read the insurance clauses with you and flag anything your current cover does not meet.
Accurate risk profiling
We present your safety systems, licences and experience to insurers so you get fair pricing and appropriate cover.
Fast certificates of currency
Certificates of currency and principal notes issued quickly so you are not held up at the site gate.
Tender deadlines do not wait for insurance paperwork. We make sure your cover is ready when the next job is.
Simple three step process for your business
We make insurance straightforward for busy builders and tradies, from the first review through to renewals and claims.
1
Business review and fact find
We start with a short call and look at the work you do, your contracts, tools, plant, vehicles and staff so we understand your full risk picture.2
Market approach and options
We go to appropriate insurers and underwriting agencies through the McLardy McShane network. You receive clear options that show sums insured, key inclusions and exclusions, excesses and pricing.3
Ongoing support and claims help
We stay in touch on renewals, changes and claims. When something goes wrong, you call us first. We help lodge and manage the claim and keep you updated.Local relationship, national strength
McLardy McShane Tasmania is your local brokerage partner in Hobart, backed by a national group that places hundreds of millions in premium with Australian insurers each year. That scale helps with market access and pricing, while you still deal with a local broker who understands Tasmanian construction.
- Local broker based in Sandy Bay, working with builders and trades across Tasmania
- Access to major Australian insurers and specialist construction markets
- Help with claims and renewals so you are not dealing with call centres
Construction and trades insurance FAQs
It depends on your work and your contracts. Many head contractors, councils and government clients require a specific limit, commonly $10 million or $20 million. We check what your contracts require and set your cover to match.
Only if your policy includes portable tools or general property cover away from your premises. Many base policies do not. We make sure your tools are covered where you actually use them.
The contract decides. Some contracts require the builder to insure the works, others leave it with the principal. We read the insurance clauses with you before you sign.
Generally no. Workers compensation covers your employees, not you as the owner. Personal accident and illness insurance can replace part of your income if you are injured or sick.
Yes. Once your policy is in place we can arrange certificates of currency and principal endorsements so you are not held up starting a job.
Yes. In many cases we can act as your broker with your current insurer and improve the structure and service, rather than changing insurers straight away.
Usually your current policy schedules, a description of the work you do, turnover and wages, a list of tools, plant and vehicles, typical contract values and your claims history.
Request a construction insurance review
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McLardy McShane Tasmania
General advice only. Before acting on this information you should consider whether it is appropriate to your objectives, financial situation and needs, and read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement.

