NBN Contractors Insurance

The rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) is one of the largest infrastructure projects to be undertaking in Australia.

Many thousands of workers will be required to complete the rollout over the next decade or so, with many of them out in the streets laying fibre optic cable.

For anyone contracting to a company working on the NBN, either as an individual subcontractor or a business, there will be certain insurance requirements.

In this guide we will be looking specifically at the requirements for workers involved in the laying of fibre optic cables for the network.

Doing more than just the NBN? Visit our telecommunications insurance guide.

Mandatory requirements

NBN Co have outlined a number of insurance requirements in their standard terms and conditions.

The requirements are as follows:

1. The Supplier must comply with Laws with respect to the requirement to hold workers compensation insurance, and hold:
   (i) liability insurance including public liability and product liability insurance, each for an amount not less than $20 million any one occurrence and, in respect of products liability, in the annual aggregate, or such other amount appropriate to the Supplier’s activities, including loss of or damage to personal and real property of the relevant NBN Entity (including documents and records); and
   (ii) professional indemnity insurance for an amount not less than $10 million for any one claim and in the annual aggregate, or such other amount as is appropriate to the Supplier’s activities, for breach of professional duty whether incurred in contract, tort or otherwise by reason of any act, omission of the Supplier, (together, the insurance policies).
2. The Supplier must provide, on the relevant NBN Entity’s request, certificates of currency and such other evidence satisfactory to the NBN Entity of insurance coverage specified in this clause 17.
3. The Supplier must effect the insurance policies before starting to supply the Goods, Services and Work Products and maintain them until the Supply Contract has terminated or expired, or as otherwise required by the relevant NBN Entity.

In short, you need $20 million public liability and $10 million professional indemnity.

Here at Trade Risk we can quote you on both of these forms of insurance, and in some cases will be able to combine the two into a single package.

Paying monthly

Taking out this level of cover will be more expensive than a typical $5 million liability policy that many tradies take out.

To assist with cash flow we can offer monthly payments via premium funding.

Paying monthly will work out a little more expensive, but we do find that plenty of clients prefer to go this way to assist with cash flow.

Taking out cover

If you are taking out insurance as an NBN contractor, it is important that you let us know.

By taking out cover as an electrician (which some people have done) or as a cable layer without specifically mentioning the NBN, you may end up with inappropriate cover.

Note that our instant online quote system does not cater for NBN contractors, and you will need to call us or complete our comprehensive quote form.

More information

To discuss your insurance needs to or get a quote simply call us on 1800 808 800.

We have assisted a number of cable layers and other workers contracting to the NBN and we can help you to get a great price on your insurance.

Trust the trade insurance experts to assist with all of your insurance needs.