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ELECTRICIANS INSURANCE CASE STUDY

Sole Trader Electrician, $5M Public Liability Placed and Held at Renewal

A one-person electrical contractor with around $200,000 turnover needed $5 million public liability. Five insurers quoted in one round; the placed premium was well under the next quote, and the renewal a year later came in at almost the same figure.

01

THE SITUATION

A sole-trader electrical contractor in metropolitan NSW called Tank Insurance for public liability. Turnover was around $200,000, with about three quarters of the work residential and the rest commercial fit-outs in offices and retail. There were no employees.

The client wanted $5 million public liability and a price that made sense for a one-person business.

02

OUR APPROACH

Electricians are written by many business insurers, so the value a broker adds is in the comparison rather than in finding capacity. We put the same submission to five insurers at once.

  • The residential and commercial split was stated, with the commercial work described as offices and retail premises.
  • Five insurers quoted in the same round, from approximately $400 to approximately $1,100 a year for the same $5 million limit.
  • The lowest quote was from a mainstream insurer, not a specialist facility.
03

THE CHALLENGES

The spread was the point. The most expensive of the five quotes was almost three times the cheapest for identical cover, which is why a sole trader who only sees one quote has no way of knowing where it sits.

At renewal a year later the client's turnover had changed, and the incumbent's system initially queried the figure before the underwriter confirmed terms. We ran the market again rather than accepting the renewal notice on its own.

04

THE OUTCOME

$5 million public liability was placed with QBE at a premium of approximately $400 a year.

Final Solution: $5 million public liability for a sole-trader electrician at around $400 a year. At renewal the incumbent held at around $400 again, while three alternative insurers quoted between approximately $800 and $1,400.

The client kept the same insurer and the same limit for a second year with the price tested against the market, not assumed.

This case records one historical outcome; current insurer appetite, premium, timing and terms depend on the complete risk at the time of application.

For the wider buying context, see our electricians insurance guide and the public liability insurance brokers page.

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS

What this placement answers for other electricians

How much is public liability insurance for a sole trader electrician?
It is individually underwritten. In this placement a one-person electrical contractor at around $200,000 turnover paid approximately $400 a year for $5 million public liability, while other insurers quoted the same limit at up to around $1,100. Turnover, the residential and commercial mix, any high-voltage or industrial work and claims history all move the price.
Is it worth remarketing an electrician's insurance every year?
It is worth checking every year. In this case the incumbent held its price at renewal and remained the best option, but that was only known because three other insurers quoted alongside it. A renewal notice on its own tells you nothing about the market.
Is $5 million public liability enough for an electrician?
It depends on who you work for. Residential and small commercial clients commonly ask for $5 million; larger builders, government and mine-site work often require $10 million or $20 million. Read the insurance clause in each contract before you buy, because the limit can usually be increased mid-term, subject to the insurer agreeing.

ELECTRICIANS INSURANCE

Put this placement in context

Case-study results are historical and are not a promise of current pricing, capacity or policy terms. This page is general information only and does not take account of your objectives, financial situation or needs.

Electricians insurance guidePublic liability insurance brokersTools of trade insuranceCommercial motor insurance brokers

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Electrical Contractor Buying or Renewing Liability?

Tell us your turnover, your residential and commercial split and the limit your clients require. We put the same submission to the insurers that write electricians and show you the spread.

Electricians Insurance Guide Get a Quote

Last updated: 06/09/2026

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