Key Takeaways:
- Personal Accident Insurance pays you if you’re injured and can’t work
- Perfect for sole traders, subbies and small operators with no sick leave
- Helps cover lost income and some out-of-pocket recovery costs
- Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions or illegal activity
When you work with your hands, your body is your income. Without it, there’s no quoting, no building, no driving to site, and, as a result, no money coming in.
Most tradies have insurance for the ute, the tools, maybe even the trailer. But if you go down, who’s covering you?
That’s where Personal Accident insurance comes in. It’s the kind of cover that steps in when your body lets you down. If you’ve ever asked, ‘What is Personal Accident insurance?’ here’s the rundown.
What is Personal Accident Insurance?
If you’re running your own show without paid sick leave, even a minor injury can stop your income in its tracks. Personal Accident insurance, also known as Personal Accident & Illness, is there to help cover that gap.
It pays a weekly benefit while you’re sidelined. No matter if the injury happens on-site, off-site or after hours, subject to any exclusions. We generally offer 24/7 protection that keeps you covered anytime, rather than limiting it to work hours only.
It’s a straightforward option for those whose income relies on staying physically active. You might be running solo as a carpenter, operating as a subcontract boilermaker, or managing your own landscaping crew; the risk is real either way.
What does it actually cover?
Policies vary between insurers, but most include:
- Weekly income replacement (usually up to 85%)
- Cover under $1,500: no financials required
- Cover over $1,500: financial documentation required
- Minor broken bone benefits (not full medical or hospital coverage)
- Lump sum payouts for serious or permanent injuries (if selected)
- Optional extras like illness cover or business expense support
The cover can be set up to suit different trades and the kinds of risks that come with them. Some tradies are quoting jobs locally. Others are operating heavy machinery in remote areas. If you’re in earthmoving and excavation, having the right earthmoving or mining contractor insurance in place alongside your accident cover can make all the difference when injury strikes.
Strain your back lifting gear or break a bone over the weekend, and your Personal Accident cover can help replace part of your income while you’re recovering. If the injury is more serious and your policy includes it, a lump sum payout might be available to help ease the pressure while you’re off the tools.
When does it kick in?
You’ll choose a waiting period when you set up your Personal Accident policy. Most policies come with a 14 day waiting period before payments begin. That’s the standard setup through All Trades Cover.
Once that period ends, your payments begin and continue during your recovery, up to the benefit period you selected. That might be a few months or even several years, depending on your setup.
Real claims. Real tradies.
Tom – Builder, WA
Tom stepped on a nail while working on-site and needed surgery. With no backup crew to keep things moving, he was staring down project delays and a pause in income. Because he’d added Personal Accident cover to his overall builder’s insurance package, he was paid weekly for six weeks, which was enough to stay on top of the mortgage and focus on healing.
Leah – Landscaper, VIC
Leah tore her ACL lifting sleepers onsite. Running her business solo meant there was no one to pick up the slack. Her broader landscaping insurance policy setup included Personal Accident cover, which gave her the breathing room to recover properly without shutting the doors or losing clients.
Mick – Electrician, QLD
Mick broke his wrist playing weekend footy. His electrical insurance didn’t cover personal injury off the job, but his 24/7 Personal Accident policy did. It paid weekly benefits that helped cover rent and bills until he was back quoting jobs.
What isn’t covered?
There are some common exclusions you should be aware of. These include:
- Injuries or conditions that existed before your policy started
- Accidents caused by drugs, alcohol or illegal activity
- High-risk hobbies like motorsports or skydiving (unless added to the policy)
- Illness, unless it’s been included as an optional extra
We’ll help you understand what’s covered, what’s not, and which extras might be worth adding.
Choosing the right policy
No two trades or bodies are the same. That’s why you can tailor Personal Accident insurance to suit your work style, age, risk profile, and financial setup.
We’ll walk you through what matters in your policy setup:
- Waiting period (usually defaulted in the quote, but important to understand
- Benefit period (pre-set term for how long payments are made)
- Weekly benefit amount (how much you need to keep afloat)
- Add-ons like illness cover or business expenses
- Type of cover: 24/7 protection is standard, but some policies allow for work-hours-only cover if preferred
- Your age eligibility (limits apply depending on your insurer and setup)
From climbing as an arborist to laying frames in structural steel, or running pipes as a plumber, We help match cover to suit your role that complements your existing arborist insurance, structural steel erection insurance or plumbing insurance setup
Why this matters
Injuries happen. A roofer might slip on a wet surface, or a welder might strain a shoulder mid-job. If you’ve got roofing insurance or welders insurance, that’s great; but it doesn’t replace your income. Personal Accident insurance steps in when you can’t.
Without sick leave or employer support, that can mean serious financial pressure. Mortgage repayments, fuel, groceries, and subcontractor wages don’t pause just because you suffer an injury.
Having Personal Accident insurance in place means you’re not relying on luck, favours or credit cards to get through. It gives you the breathing room to focus on recovery and get back to work on your own terms.
It might seem optional until you need it. That’s when it becomes one of the most important business decisions you’ve made.
Get cover that holds up
If you don’t get paid when you don’t show up, you need a backup.
At All Trades Cover, we don’t cut corners. We’ll walk you through your options and help set up protection for how you work.
Still wondering what Personal Accident insurance is and whether it fits your trade? Let’s walk through your options and tailor a setup that works.
Get in touch today for a quick quote.
General Advice Warning: The information in this article is general only and does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. Always read the PDS to understand what’s included, what’s not, and whether it suits your circumstances. A copy of the relevant PDS will be provided when you request a quote.
General Advice Warning: The information in this article is general only and does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. Always read the PDS to understand what’s included, what’s not, and whether it suits your circumstances. A copy of the relevant PDS will be provided when you request a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Personal Accident insurance tax-deductible?
Yes, in most cases, Personal Accident insurance premiums are tax-deductible if you’re self-employed or running your own business. We recommend checking with your accountant to confirm what applies to your situation.
- Can I claim if I get injured outside of work hours?
Yes, and with All Trades Cover, 24/7 cover is the default. Some policies only apply during work hours, but ours are set up to protect you any time you’re injured, on or off the job.
- What’s the difference between Personal Accident Insurance and Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ Comp is for employees. If you’re self-employed, a subcontractor, or not covered under an employer’s Workers Compensation policy, Personal Accident insurance can help cover you for accidents that put you out of action.
- Do I need a medical to get cover?
Usually not. Most policies don’t require a medical exam, but you will need to disclose any known pre-existing conditions. If a condition is pre-existing and flares up again, it generally won’t be covered unless you couldn’t have reasonably known about it when you applied.
- Can I get Personal Accident cover if I already have trade insurance?
Absolutely. Personal Accident insurance works alongside your Public Liability, tools, or vehicle cover, but it can also be taken out on its own if you’re after standalone protection. It covers you personally, not just your gear or business.
