Sole traders can work in a multitude of different occupations, from accountants to yoga teachers and almost everything in between. As such, there’s a variety of insurance options available to you, including:
Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance is essential for anyone who has contact with other people or their property. It will cover you against claims that your business activity caused injury to a member of the public or damaged their property. This insurance can offer between $5 million and $20 million worth of coverage.
What it covers:
- Third-party personal injury claims
- Damage to a third party’s property
- Legal fees to defend yourself
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance covers you against claims that the advice, recommendations or service you provided were either wrong or negligent. It’s an important type of insurance to have for sole traders who offer professional advice or services to multiple members of the public. Examples include accountants and legal and allied health professionals. If you work in a unionised occupation, the cost of your professional indemnity insurance may be included in your union fees. Cover is available starting from $250,000 up to $10 million or more.
What it covers
- Payment of compensation if there’s a successful claim against you
- Payment of court-awarded damages to the litigant
- Cover for your legal defence costs
- Cover for the cost of disciplinary proceedings or investigations
- If you’re a health professional, cover for bodily injury and illness you may have caused
Product liability insurance
Product liability insurance will cover you against third-party claims that a product you supplied was faulty or caused material loss, sickness, injury or death. Product liability insurance is for anyone who supplies products, not just manufacturers. This could be useful for sole traders who work in marketing or selling a particular product. Cover starts from $250,000 and can be bundled together with public liability into a business insurance package.
What it covers:
- Claims that a product you supplied (or marketed) caused sickness or injury
- Third-party damages claims
- Legal fees to defend yourself
General business insurance
General business insurance may also be worthwhile if you have tools, portable equipment, machinery or stock to protect as a sole trader. If you work in a profession which relies heavily on technology, you may wish to consider cyber protection insurance as an add-on to your general business insurance policy.
What it covers:
- Fire, storms, theft, vandalism and collision which cause damage to your business assets
- Specialist cover for electronic equipment and other portable equipment
- Limited business interruption insurance
Personal accident and illness insurance
Since you rely on working to produce an income as a sole trader, taking care of your health should be a high priority. Accident and illness insurance can provide cover for you if you become sick and are unable to work, providing a weekly replacement income if you’re injured or ill.
What it covers:
- Loss of income as a result of an injury or illness
Optional extras can include:
- Death benefits
- Disablement benefits
- Payment of business expenses during your recovery period