Glaziers Insurance

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Like any tradesmen, you want to get onsite, finish the job, and get paid, simple as that. Your insurance shouldn’t be complicated either. If you work with glass, you already know the risks. Sharp edges, heavy expensive panels, working at heights, rushing to finish installs before a site closes for the day. Mistakes cost time, reputation, and money. Insurance is often seen as a necessary evil, we receive calls every day from all trades across Australia as most builders, councils, and site managers won’t let you on site without proof of insurance. Public Liability is often the bare minimum, with it becoming more common to include personal injury or equipment insurance and you’ll need a Certificate of Currency ready to hand over. Without it, you can lose the job before it even starts. We understand speed is critical here. Insurance is the last thing you want to deal with, always hidden in the fine print of your agreements, but arguably one of the more important items.

At Bluewell, we make it simple. We specialise in all trades insurance, including Glaziers across Australia and know exactly what glaziers need to get compliant and working. Don’t waste time on insurance slang and technical terms, arrange the right cover, and send your documents fast so you can get back to what pays the bills.

Why Glaziers Need Insurance

All trades face risks every day, Glaziers are not exempt. You’re handling fragile, expensive materials that can break easily. You’re often installing at heights on scaffolds or ladders, or in tight spaces. And if glass breaks, its likely not the only damage. I’m sure we don’t have to remind you of the difficulty of finding all the tiny glass shards, or having to call another tradesman to repair additional damage.

Here’s why we believe insurance isn’t optional in this trade:

Compliance: Sites, councils, and builders demand insurance certificates before you start. You know this is common, don’t leave it till the last minute just to save a few bucks. Doesn’t look good professionally, and overlooks the purpose of being insured.
Financial protection: A single claim could cost hundreds of thousands. Legal fees are always increasing, replacement costs of goods are always increasing. Insurance protects you and your business.
Professional image: Being insured shows you’re serious, organised, and safe. When you have your documents ready to go, that helps win more jobs. Consider if its really worth saving a few dollars to time your policy just right, when you can avoid all that time deadline stress and have your policies already set up and compliant.

What Insurance Do Glaziers Need?

Here are the core covers every glazier should consider:

1. Public Liability Insurance

This is the most common insurance policy for all trades in Australia. Protects you if someone is injured or property is damaged because of your work and the third party seeks to hold you responsible. For example:

A pane of glass falls and injures a bystander.
You scratch a client’s beautiful wooden floor carrying in panels.
A child trips over your tools on site and breaks their arm.

Most sites require you to hold at least $10 million cover, though some councils and commercial jobs demand $20 million.

2. Tools and Equipment Insurance

Every tradesman has their set of tools, glaziers are no exception. Glaziers rely on specialised tools suction lifters, grinders, cutters, drills, ladders, and vans full of gear. Theft from vehicles and job sites is one of the most common claims we see and set businesses back big time. We have had clients in the past call up wanting to make a claim on their stolen tools, only to be told they didn’t take the cover, likely just to save a few dollars on premiums. Now they face bankruptcy because their business is effectively put on hold. Tools insurance covers the cost of replacing stolen or damaged gear, so you don’t have to stop working.

3. Transit Cover

Some insurers offer specific cover for accidental glass damage during transport or loading and unloading. This is valuable when working with large or expensive panes, shopfronts, or custom orders that can cost thousands to replace and need to be transported. Imagine youre a piece of glass flying down the highway at 100km an hour. Almost seems impressive if it gets there in one piece.

4. Commercial Vehicle Insurance

If you transport glass, you need proper commercial motor insurance. A personal car policy usually won’t cover damage if you’re carrying stock or using the van for business. Best to chat to your current provider about the usage of your vehicle if you are currently in this situation. Alternatively, we can organize a Commercial motor insurance which can include cover for your work vehicles, including vehicle accidents, theft, fire, and damage to third parties.

5. Workers Compensation

Legally required if you employ staff. Covers wages and medical costs if your employees are injured on the job. In glazing, cuts and falls are common injury types. If you’re in the eastern states, reach out to your state government as they will have a workers compensation scheme.

6. Personal Accident

If you’re self-employed, your business stops when you can’t work. Personal accident insurance replaces income if you’re injured and can’t work for an extended period. These policies are still general in nature and don’t consider your personal financial goals or situation. Think of them as a blanket cover that exclude all pre-existing conditions. If you prefer a more personalised insurance system targeting loss of income or life, we can refer you to a appropriate industry professional.

7. Business Pack Insurance

For glaziers with a workshop or depot, a business pack can cover your premises, contents, stock, and glass products against fire, theft, and storm damage.

Example Claims Glaziers Face

Here are some examples claims we see:

Glass injury claims: A worker cuts their hand badly handling glass.
Falling glass incidents: A panel slips and injures a member of the public.
Property damage: Glass shatters and scratches a polished concrete floor.
Theft: Tools stolen from a van parked outside a job.
Vehicle accidents: A van carrying glass racks rear-ends another car, causing glass loss and property damage.

Each of these claims could cost thousands. Without insurance, it comes straight out of your pocket.

Risk Management Tips for Glaziers

Insurance is there to back you up when things go wrong, but the best way to keep costs down and avoid downtime is to prevent accidents in the first place. Insurers also look at how you run your business and claims history. If you can show you’ve got strong safety systems, they see you as a lower risk and limit premium hikes if a claim occurs. Here’s how to get practical about managing risks as a glazier.

1. Safe Glass Handling

Glass is unforgiving. Always use suction lifters and trolleys for large panels instead of carrying them by hand. If the glass is oversized or awkward, never try to handle it alone always have a second person. Use correct safe lifting methods. Train staff to keep their hands clear of edges and to watch footing when moving panels through doorways or tight spaces.

2. Transport Safety

Glass breaks during transport is not uncommon. Use approved glass racks with proper padding to avoid chips and cracks. Secure loads with straps and double-check before you hit the road. Never overload utes or vans its simply not safe and can void your insurance if you’re found to be exceeding vehicle weight limits. Gross negligence is never insurable.

3. Working at Heights

Installing shopfronts or upper-level windows means working off ladders or scaffolds. Check ladders before every use and retire any that are damaged. Use harnesses or fall protection whenever you’re on scaffolding. Make sure your team has proper working-at-heights training so they know how to tie off, climb safely, and keep tools secured.

4. Protective Gear

It sounds basic, but PPE saves injuries and claims. Cut-resistant gloves, safety glasses, and steel-capped boots should be standard on every job. Invest in your equipment to keep you and your crew safe. Be a responsible and ethical employer. Keep spares in your vehicle so you’re never caught short if gear gets damaged or a new worker shows up without the right equipment.

5. Site Safety

When you’re installing glass, you’re often working in public areas or customer spaces. Always set exclusion zones so bystanders don’t wander into danger. Use signage to make it clear that glass is being moved or installed. A simple rope barrier or a few cones at minimum can prevent accidents and claims.

6. Tool Security

Tools are one of the easiest ways to lose money. Vans and vehicles are prime targets for theft, and insurers see repeat theft claims as a red flag. Install alarms in your vehicles, use lockable toolboxes, and park in secure areas when possible. Never leave tools lying around a job site. That extra 60 seconds you take every day to lock up correctly makes all the difference when a thief is looking for a quick grab.

7. Record Keeping

Good paperwork protects you when disputes arise. Keep maintenance logs for your gear and glass racks to show they’re in safe working order. Take before-and-after job photos to prove if damage was already there before you started. Keep signed contracts and client instructions on file so you can show exactly what was agreed.

Bottom line

Every one of these steps reduces the chance of something going wrong, protects your crew, and builds trust with insurers. If you want lower premiums and fewer headaches, treat risk management as part of the job, not an afterthought.

How to Keep Insurance Costs Down

Insurance can feel like money wasted, but there are smart ways to keep your premiums manageable:

Be clear about your work: Tell insurers exactly what type of glazing you do. High-risk jobs cost more, but if you mainly do lower-risk work (like residential), you shouldn’t be priced as a commercial high-rise contractor. Vise-vera, avoiding telling your insurer about higher risk jobs or sites in an attempt to reduce premium will only cause issues if a claim occurs. What’s worse, paying a little bit more today, or having a full claim rejection tomorrow?
Maintain good safety records: Logs, photos, and training records show you’re managing risks. This can help keep premiums lower. For any property or equipment claims, insurers will want to see proof of ownership and cost.
Secure your tools and vehicles: Insurers charge more for frequent theft claims. Investing in better security saves money long term.
Bundle your cover: Business packs can be cheaper than buying separate policies for property, tools, and liability.
Work with a broker: At Bluewell, we shop around for you, compare insurers, and make sure you’re not paying for cover you don’t need. Invest the time you spend looking for insurers into revenue generating activities instead and let us handle the admin work.

What Insurers Need to Know

To get a quote fast, have this information ready:

Annual turnover (how much your business makes).
Number of staff and subcontractors.
Types of glazing work (residential, shopfronts, high-rise, etc.).
Highest value job you take on.
Value of tools and equipment.
Vehicle details if you want motor cover.
Past claims history.

The more accurate you are, the faster we can get you a policy that matches your work.

Why Choose Bluewell

We know glaziers don’t have time to waste on paperwork. That’s why we focus on:

Fast turnaround: Certificates of Currency sent same day on payment confirmation.
Trade knowledge: We know what builders and councils ask for.
Claims support: If something goes wrong, we’re on your side to organize things with your insurer.
Tailored cover: We can make any insurance product fit your situation, but its about what risks you are concerned about that we can work with.

Our job is to make insurance simple, quick, and reliable so you can keep working.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s mandatory for most sites and contracts. Without it, you may not be allowed to work.

Most jobs require $10 million. Larger contracts or councils may ask for $20 million.

No. You need a separate Tools and Equipment policy for theft or damage.

Subcontractors need their own insurance. Always ask for their Certificates of Currency, or your insurer could push liability onto you, increasing your future premiums.

Through Bluewell, often the same day when payment is confirmed.

Don’t risk being turned away from site or paying out of pocket for accidents. With Bluewell, you get insurance sorted quickly, your documents delivered fast, and ongoing support when you need it.

Apply now, get your Certificate, and get back on the tools