Why PAT Testing is Important to your Insurance Company

As a tradesman you could be liable at any time so you need to do all you can to protect your business.

Having public liability insurance is essential to all tradesmen, no matter the industry sector. It is important because it helps protect a business, but crucial because it protects the customer should things go wrong and an accident happens.

If someone is injured, even fatally, or property damaged as a result of an accident due to the activities of a tradesman, the implications can be devastating for both parties. If an accident occurs and the tradesman is found to be at fault and has no public liability insurance then the consequences take on a far more serious turn.

Accidents happen – fact of life; sometimes through negligence, sometimes through ignorance, and   other times due to just plain bad luck – either way, as a tradesman you need public liability insurance.

Portable electrical appliances are found in just about all industries – high tech, energy efficient with up to date safety features. However, faults can and do develop, damage can occur, misuse and poor maintenance take a toll. And all can render an appliance quite lethal. Cheap imported electrical appliances also pose a problem as some manufacturers do not rigorously test their products.

In the workplace, most responsible employers will have a programme of equipment maintenance and testing. Potential personal injury compensation claims and disruptions to production are an incentive to comply with the relevant regulations regarding PAT testing. Further, regular testing of certain portable electrical appliances ensures the equipment is functioning correctly and helps prolong its lifetime as well as ensuring energy efficiency.

There are an estimated 20,000 fires in the home each year involving electrical appliances– accidents that claim around 60 to 70 fatalities, and more than a quarter of a million injured. Many homes today have dozens of appliances – all potential hazards if not used properly, maintained, and tested periodically. For this reason many householders test household appliances on a regular basis.

PAT Testing requires training, qualification, and skills, but no matter how many years spent testing, or how much care is taken, mistakes do happen and accidents occur.

It is for this reason anyone involved in the testing and certification of portable electrical appliances should have public liability insurance. If you are a self employed PAT tester you will need Public Liability Insurance. If you employ others to test and certify appliances, you will also need Employers Liability Insurance.

Some insurance providers do not offer PAT insurance considering it to be high risk so check your current public or employer’s liability insurance policy. Other providers specialise in this area and will tailor a package to suit your individual circumstances and needs, including cover for all essential tools and equipment used during your work duties if required.

Whilst we cannot provide you with Public Liability Insurance, We can provide you with top quality PAT testing labels, with rapid turnaround times and unbeatable prices.