One overspray incident or spilled tin of primer can cost a painting business tens of thousands of dollars. This guide covers the cover every painter needs, from public liability with the right workmanship extensions to statutory liability, vehicles, tools and income protection. It also explains what to check before choosing a broker so your claim gets paid when it matters.
The Government has introduced legislation that would see construction move from joint and several liability to proportionate liability. This changes how compensation is allocated to liable parties, it does not remove a builder's own legal responsibilities. A builder...
One of the most expensive defects a residential builder will face is a leaking bathroom. Ironically, many of these failures begin with a bathroom that looked perfect on handover. Hidden behind the tiles, however, is a shortcut that can turn into a six-figure liability: spot fixing (also known as dot or dab fixing).
The “mechanically propelled vehicles” exclusion in tools and mobile assets policies is wider than most tradies think. Here’s what it catches and where that gear should be insured.
A recent High Court decision, IAG New Zealand Ltd v Aubrey, is a good result for anyone relying on a contract works policy. The Court found that a common exclusion for the cost of “fixing faulty workmanship” was narrower than the insurer argued. As a result, damage caused by a contractor during the works was covered.
Retaining walls can be expensive structures and, when something goes wrong, the resulting damage can extend well beyond the wall itself. For builders and property owners, understanding the insurance position is important because the cover changes significantly between...
An Auckland developer was convicted of breaching their Resource Consent and fined almost $50,000. Site run off is a common example of a Resource Management Act breach. Statutory liability insurance no longer covers RMA fines.
From 1st July the compulsory Fire & Emergency Levy collected on every contract of insurance that covers fire will change. In many cases this will result in a reduction in the levy payable. The exception is on light vehicles, those insured for third party only (previously not levied) and some commercial buildings.
In this case of a contract works insurance claim for storm damage the Court held that the insurers were liable for the remedial work to fix the damage, even though the same work was required to fix defective work.
A builder is not legally liable for “betterment,” but is only liable for the actual value of the property they have damaged. In legal terms, property damage claims are governed by the principle of indemnity. The goal is to put the injured party back into the exact financial position they were in right before the damage occurred, no better and no worse.
For building contractors, public liability insurance is often seen as the ultimate safety net. It’s intended to protect you from the cost of accidentally damaging other people’s property. However, most liability policies contain exclusions that can leave contractors financially exposed in some circumstances. Understanding these critical gaps allows the contractor to be hyper-aware of the risk and implement other risk mitigation practices, so that the lack of insurance coverage never becomes an issue.
Two important but often confused types of insurance that help manage employee risks are Employers Liability and Employment Disputes Liability insurance. While both relate to your obligations as an employer, they protect you from very different threats.
