Welders can use over 100 different processes to join or cut metal. As a welder, you work around hot metals and tools in a variety of hazardous locations. To protect yourself, your business and your personal assets, purchase welders insurance.
Types of welders insurance
Insurance for welders commonly includes general liability and other coverages you can tailor to your operations. Understand the types of coverage available so you can choose the policy that meets your needs.
General Liability
General liability provides a range of protections and can scale with your business as you expand services, win larger contracts or hire employees.
Bodily Injury
If a customer visits your shop and is burned by a flying spark or touches hot metal, bodily injury coverage will pay related medical expenses.
Medical Expense Limit
Some customer injuries are minor and don’t require lawsuits. Medical expense limit coverage pays for small medical bills and lets you address the claim without admitting fault.
Property Damage
While welding a customer’s boat, sculpture or metal barn, you may accidentally damage the property. Property damage coverage pays to repair or replace the damaged item.
Products and Completed Operations
The welded products you make, manufacture or sell could later injure a customer or cause illness. Products and completed operations coverage helps pay for related medical care and claims against your business.
Personal and Advertising Injury
Someone could allege that you stole intellectual property or made false accusations or slanderous statements. Personal and advertising injury coverage responds to lawsuits tied to those claims.
Damage to Premises Rented to You
Many welders own their shop, but you may sometimes rent workspace. If you damage rented premises, rental damages liability pays repair costs you are responsible for.
Business Owners Policy
- Buildings and contents for a stationary or mobile shop
- Business income and extra expense
- Electronic data
- Employee dishonesty coverage for fraud or theft
- Equipment breakdown
- Newly acquired or constructed buildings
Business Auto Insurance
Cover the vehicle you use for work with business auto insurance. It pays for property damage and bodily injuries if you or an employee is involved in an accident while driving a business vehicle.
If you operate a workshop or provide mobile welding services, consider coverage tailored to your operations such as Welding Operations Insurance.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Workers' compensation protects employees by paying medical and other benefits if they suffer a work-related injury or illness. This coverage may also be required for self-employed welders or independent contractors in some jurisdictions.
For information specific to employee coverage and requirements, see Welders Workers Compensation.
Welders insurance helps protect your business and assets. Before buying coverage, review your operations and limits, and discuss with an insurance agent to ensure you purchase adequate protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does general liability for welders typically cover?
General liability typically covers third-party bodily injury and property damage, legal defense costs, and certain personal and advertising injury claims.
Do I need workers' compensation if I work alone?
Requirements vary by state and your contractor status; some jurisdictions require workers' compensation even for sole proprietors, while others do not.
Will my policy cover damage to a customer's property while welding?
Yes—property damage coverage or specific liability portions of a business owners policy can pay to repair or replace a customer’s damaged property.
How can I reduce insurance risks as a welder?
Maintain safe work practices, use proper protective equipment, secure clients’ property during work, and document procedures to reduce accidents and claims.