This page covers four searches: public liability, professional indemnity, workers compensation and how to find the cheapest cover. They are really one question about what keeps a solar business trading after something goes wrong.
Public liability
Covers injury to others and damage to property caused by your work. Solar installers work at heights, on roofs and with live electrical systems, so insurers price the risk accordingly. SAA asks for a public liability certificate of currency, including the expiry date, when you apply for installer accreditation, so you need it to get started; see how to become SAA accredited. Check the policy’s limit, which is typically a multi-million dollar figure, and whether the policy covers battery installation and work on tile or metal roofs.
Professional indemnity
Covers claims that your advice or design was negligent: an undersized system, a design that breaches the standards, wrong yield estimates. It matters most if you design systems or advise commercial customers. Pair it with SAA design accreditation (designer vs installer).
Workers compensation
Mandatory in every state if you employ people, with rules and scheme names varying. Sole traders and subcontractors are treated differently. If you engage subcontractors, check that they have their own cover or are genuinely independent; see subcontractor rates and checks.
Related covers
- Tools and vehicle insurance for theft and damage.
- Product and warranty cover, which is separate; see warranty and home warranty insurance.
- Cyber and business interruption, increasingly relevant for customer data held in CRMs.
The cheapest cover
There is no useful price to quote, because premiums vary by revenue, state, headcount, claims history and the work you do. What you can control:
- Use a broker who writes solar and electrical trades, and ask for quotes from several insurers.
- Describe the work honestly. Understating roof or battery work voids claims.
- Bundle policies and pay annually if cash flow allows.
- Choose an excess you can pay on the day.
- Read exclusions: work at height, fire from electrical faults, batteries and subcontractors are the usual traps.
From the desk: a policy that excludes battery work looks fine until you take a battery job under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. Tell your broker before you start, not after.
What this means for installers
Insurance is a start-up cost and an ongoing one; see start-up costs. It also protects the business from the cash drain of a dispute. Cash flow, in turn, depends on paying for stock before STC proceeds arrive; see installer cash flow. When you are ready to trade certificates, start trading and check pricing. More on the installers hub.