Plumbers Insurance: What Coverage Do You Need?

As a professional plumber, your job is hands-on, and so are the risks. From water damage to workplace injuries, plumbing contractors face unique liability exposures every day. Having the right business insurance is more than a box to check — it’s protection for your tools, your team, and your reputation.

What Is Plumber Insurance?

Plumber insurance is a specialized business policy (or bundle of policies) designed to cover the risks plumbers face. One of the most important pieces of that bundle is General Liability Insurance, which can protect your plumbing business from third-party property damage or injury claims — a common risk in service trades. Other pieces of a bundle of policies may protect against property damage, customer injury claims, job site accidents, tool theft, and more.

Whether you’re a solo contractor or run a growing plumbing company, insurance helps protect your finances from lawsuits, repairs, and unexpected emergencies.

Do Plumbers Need Insurance?

Yes — and in many cases, it’s required. Depending on where you work, you may need insurance to:

• Get a plumbing license
• Work on residential or commercial projects
• Qualify for contractor bids
• Operate legally in certain states or municipalities

If you have employees, you’ll also need to carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance, which most states require to cover medical expenses and lost wages for injured workers.

Even if it’s not required, going uninsured puts your business and personal assets at serious risk.

How Much Does Plumber Insurance Cost?

Insurance costs depend on your business size, services, location, and claims history. Here are some general estimates:

💡 Tip: The best way to find out what you’ll pay is to speak with a licensed Sun Coast General Insurance agent for a custom quote based on your real risks.

Basic Plumbing Insurance Coverage (What’s Usually Required)

These are the core coverages most plumbers need:

• General Liability Insurance – Covers accidental property damage or bodily injury to clients and third parties (e.g., a burst pipe ruins a customer’s flooring).
• Commercial Auto Insurance – Required for vehicles used in business, like work vans and trucks.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance – Required if you have employees. Covers medical costs and lost wages from job-related injuries.

Liability, commercial auto, and workers’ comp (if you employ staff) are often legally required.

Other Recommended Coverage Options

Depending on the scale of your plumbing business and services offered, you may also need:

• Tools and Equipment Coverage – Protects your valuable gear from theft, loss, or damage on and off the job.
• Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) – Covers claims of faulty workmanship or failure to deliver services as promised.
• Inland Marine Insurance – Covers high-value tools or materials in transit or stored off-site.
• Surety Bonds – Required in some states to get licensed or bid for public jobs.

Tools, professional liability, or inland marine coverage are recommended but often optional depending on risk.

Get a Quote for Plumber Insurance Today

Sun Coast General Insurance makes it easy to protect your plumbing business. Whether you’re just starting out or expanding operations, our licensed agents can help you choose the right coverage — and only what you actually need.

Click to get started or call us directly. You’ll get personalized service and a no-obligation quote.