By Martin Lukasz Mazurek
This may come as a shock to many home and business owners, but public liability insurance is not a legal requirement for glaziers to operate, not just in London, but in the whole of the UK. This is despite the fact that between 2012 and 2013, London reported 8889 on-the-job injuries to the UK based work-related injury watchdog group, Health and Safety Executive.
As with all forms of construction, glazing is a dangerous business, one that requires people to handle and repair or renovate glass, wood, and/or metal that's been damaged or splintered. So even when you choose to work with consummate professionals whose highly qualified staff have years of experience under their belts, hiring glaziers still comes with some risk of injuries to people, as well as property damage.
Reputable businesses get insurance despite the ability to operate without it because whether you're calling people to replace a broken bit of glass in a busted window, or to do a full restoration of a one of the city's numerous historic buildings, accidents can-and do-happen, as statistics vividly demonstrate. So insurance is a form of protection that offers clients peace of mind. By protecting both the London glazing company, you, and, of course, your property, in the unlikely-but-still-possible event that something goes wrong.
Public Liability Insurance is not mandatory in the business because the English legal system as it pertains to property damage makes it fairly simple to take companies to court. The UK currently has a "No Win No Fee" policy in place in the event of company negligence. This makes it easier and less costly for property owners with a complaint to take offending London glazing companies to court. However, most cases brought before small claims courts go to mediation instead, so either way, in both the English and Welsh legal systems, you can settle disputes of up to £10,000 out of court, but this is still a lengthy and inconvenient prospect.
However, insurance can help avoid the unpleasantness and complexity of a legal dispute altogether. It covers resulting damage from the get-go, and saves everyone the hassle of going into lengthy litigation after the fact.
So even while it may seem like something you can worry about only if something goes wrong, it's smart to ensure that whatever happens on your property, you're covered. This is precisely why it's smart for responsible consumers to always ask for proof of a company's Glaziers Public Liability Insurance. Depending on the policy, it will likely cover losses associated with any damage that the glazing contractors may do to your property while on the job.
In the end, when you need a London glazier, always remember to look into their insurance policies. While not required by law, it's truly worth it for most residents' peace of mind, because it's there to protect both parties in the event that the unexpected occurs.
To learn more about what to look for in a professional glazier, please visit us at http://pbd-glazing.co.uk/
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