888-900-0205What Is Alarm Installer Liability Insurance?
Alarm installer liability insurance is a general liability insurance policy underwritten to protect the specific risks that an alarm installer faces. It is financial protection against third-party claims of injury or property damage.
Alarm installers work at various places on a client’s property to install cameras and sensors. Moving about from location to location with a ladder can increase the risk of an accident happening. If something does happen, the alarm installer could be liable for the damages and have to pay for them out of pocket unless he has alarm installer general liability insurance.
General liability insurance is the one policy that an alarm installer will want to start with because liability claims can end up in court and be costly to defend and pay. Not only does a general liability insurance policy protect the alarm installer from paying claims out of pocket, but it also helps him get better-paying gigs because prospective clients see him as being more professional with insurance.
Let’s take a closer look at what alarm installer general liability insurance covers.
What’s Covered Under Alarm Installer General Liability Insurance
Bodily Injury
Bodily injury is the coverage that pays for injuries if someone other than an employee hurts themselves from your tools or supplies on your job site. For example, someone goes up on the ladder to see the angle the camera will capture, loses his footing, and falls, fracturing several vertebrae. Because this is the alarm installer’s ladder on his job, the medical bills are his responsibility. He transfers the financial responsibility to the insurance company that pays the bills if he has insurance. It’s important to note that even minor injuries can result in thousands of dollars in costs.
Property Damage
Another important coverage is property damage coverage. This says that if the alarm installer is to break or damage anyone’s property, he is responsible for the damages. With the coverage, the insurance company pays the damages. For example, an installer is setting up sensors on a window. His screwdriver slips as he tries to secure the sensor, breaking the window. With insurance, he can file a claim to have the insurance company pay to replace the window. Without insurance, he is replacing it out of his own pocket.
Products and Completed Operations
Products and completed operations coverage is another coverage in a general liability policy protecting the alarm installer. It pays for losses that happen after the installer finishes the job. For example, the installer mounts a floodlight and camera unit above the garage door. The mounting is not deep enough, and the floodlight crashes down on the car windshield, breaking it. The alarm installer only needs to file a claim rather than pay for the repairs with the coverage in place.
Medical Payments
Policyholders often confuse medical payments coverage with bodily injury coverage. It is similar in that it pays for the medical expenses of minor injuries of someone invited to the job site. Medical payments doesn’t consider liability and can cover any medical emergency that happens on the job site. For example, a neighbor sees the contractor installing the security system and walks over to ask him some questions. The neighbor collapses during the conversations, requiring an ambulance to come and transport him to the hospital. Even though the neighbor collapsing had nothing to do with the alarm installer, his insurance can pay for the ambulance ride and medical care. If expenses exceed medical payments, the carrier may activate bodily injury coverage to cover the difference.
Personal and Advertising Injury
Personal and advertising injury coverage protects you from allegations that you have slandered or libeled another party. This can happen when you do marketing or social media, or anytime you speak about a competitor. It also covers copyright infringement if your logo or marketing material is too similar to another alarm installation company. An example that is becoming more common is when a company posts the work of other companies on social media to point out what the company did wrong. If the installer names the other company, they might decide to sue since it can negatively affect their reputation and ability to earn income. If they sue, personal and advertising injury covers the legal costs and any settlement that might come out of the proceedings.
Damage To Premises Rented To You
You are responsible for the property if you rent a warehouse or office to run your business out of. If something happens like a fire that is your fault, the building owner expects you to repair it back to its original condition. This can be costly, which is why damage to premises rented to you coverage is part of a general liability policy. This coverage pays for those repairs, transferring the financial risk to the insurance company.
What’s Not Covered Under Alarm Installer General Liability Insurance
Alarm Installer's liability insurance does not cover certain types of losses. These include:
- Intentional injuries or property damage
- Injuries to employees
- Tools and Equipment
- Other losses outlined in the policy
How Much Is Alarm Installer General Liability Insurance
Getting alarm installer’s general liability insurance doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. In fact, it is possible to get a policy for as little as $40 per month that provides you all the protection you expect in a policy. Policy costs do vary depending on location, total revenues, the amount of coverage selected, and your claims history. It’s best to get a free quote to find out exactly how much alarm installer’s liability insurance will be for you. Don’t hesitate to ask about discounts for your own security systems and other safety features.
Other Insurance For Alarm Installers
General liability insurance isn’t the only type of insurance that an alarm installer may need. Other policies that an installer may need include:
- Business Personal Property
- Auto Insurance
- Workers Compensation
- Tools Coverage
- Surety Bond
- Excess Liability
Alarm Installer General Liability Insurance FAQ
We’re big believers in keeping things simple, so ask us anything and we’ll answer honestly and without the jargon.
How To Get General Liability Insurance
Buying alarm installers’ liability insurance doesn’t need to be difficult. The first step is to call us. The agent will take down a few details about your business and come up with a quote. From there, we may adjust coverages to show you how much it would cost to get more coverage. You can then evaluate the coverage and choose what makes the most sense for your company.
Why Do Alarm Installers Need Insurance?
Alarm installers need general liability insurance because their business works with the public and has the potential for costly injury and property damage claims. Tool bags, equipment, and ladders all become potential hazards that can lead to a loss that the alarm installer is responsible for. Insurance assumes the responsibility, so the contractor doesn’t have to pay for it on his own.
What Are The Risks Facing Alarm Installers?
Alarm installers have tools and equipment that move with them around a job site. Of course, these are all hazards posing risks on the job site. Even an alarm installer with a lot of safety protocols in place can’t eliminate all the risk that comes with working around a building.
Is General Liability Insurance Required For Alarm Installers?
Laws don’t usually require alarm installer insurance in most places. However, some states and counties do require it for business licensing. On top of potential state or county requirements, some potential clients may require the alarm installer to have insurance. Many general contractors won’t subcontract work until installers provide proof of insurance.