What Insurance Do B.C. Welders Need?

April 29, 2025

B.C. welders need business insurance customized for the risks they face whether they work on residential or commercial projects or in the oil and gas industry. Welding contractor insurance protects you and your business against accidents causing third-party bodily injury or third-party property damage.

Business liability insurance, as part of your B.C. welders’ insurance package, provides financial protection against specific risks that could lead to lawsuits.

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Who needs welding insurance in British Columbia?

• Commercial Welding
• Custom Metal Fabrication
• Industrial Welders on construction sites
• Residential Welders
• Mobile welding services
• Welding Inspectors
• Oil and gas welders
• Pipeline welders

Welding liability insurance is the foundation of your welding insurance package. Here are the liability coverages that you need to help protect your B.C. welding business from lawsuits.

Commercial general liability (CGL) insurance

Without CGL insurance, you will pay costs related to third-party (customer/supplier) injuries or damage to their property out of your own pocket.

If you were sued, commercial general liability insurance would cover the legal costs to defend the claim against your B.C. welding business in court, as well as costs to cover damages to compensate third parties whether you win or lose your case.

What risks does CGL insurance cover?

• Injury to a third party who is not your employee
• Damage to someone’s property
• Damage to rented property
• Medical bills if someone is injured
• Legal costs and settlement costs of liability lawsuits filed against you
• Liability lawsuits related to slander and libel

It wouldn’t be uncommon for welders in British Columbia to carry a minimum of $2 million in CGL insurance.

Pollution liability insurance

This type of insurance helps cover costs to clean up pollution caused by your work as a welder in British Columbia. It can help pay for clean-up costs, civil fines, and emergency response expenses.

Professional liability insurance

This type of insurance is also known as errors and omission (E&0) insurance.

If you are faced with a lawsuit as a B.C. welder, professional liability insurance can help protect you against loss in the event of a lawsuit due to a negligent act, or an error or omission in the course of your services.

What other types of insurance do B.C. welders need?

Tools and equipment insurance

It replaces, or repairs damaged, stolen, or lost equipment and tools, accessories, or other property that you use in your work as a welder.

Anything valued at less than $1,500 is considered a tool and anything above that limit is considered equipment.

Tools and equipment insurance is also called equipment floater insurance.

Commercial auto insurance

You need commercial auto coverage as part of your welders’ insurance package. Your B.C car policy will not cover you should you get into an accident while travelling to work.

Mobile property insurance

If you regularly move equipment across different locations, mobile property insurance provides coverage for property that you don't store at a fixed location, or for equipment routinely taken offsite.

Commercial property insurance

Commercial property insurance provides financial support to replace or cover repairs to your B.C. welding business if it is damaged by a flood, fire, or severe weather. It also covers vandalism and theft.

Commercial property insurance also covers your welding business’s contents such as computers, furniture, tools, equipment, and inventory. Commercial property coverage also extends to protect others’ property that is under your care.

Business interruption insurance

This type of insurance supports you when your B.C. welding business can’t operate due to a covered loss.

There are a number of losses that can force your welding business to shut down. Some examples are:

• Damage to your equipment from fire or vandalism
• A major reduction in revenue due to a client/supplier facing losses of their own
• A disruption in your supply chain

Business interruption insurance can help with these expenses:

• Payroll
• Rent
• Utilities
• Property taxes
• Alarm monitoring
• Relocation of your business

Remember when you’re getting commercial insurance that liability insurance is the building block needed to protect your B.C. welding business from accidents and mishaps.