Why tradies may need cover more than anyone

Australia’s tradies are crucial to the economy, but their physically demanding jobs can often leave them facing injuries and illnesses that can negatively affect their ability to work and earn an income. In some cases, these injuries and illnesses can leave tradies facing financial hardship.

Workplace injuries are a serious risk for Australian tradies. Research by Safe Work Australia found that almost 16% of all serious injury claims in 2021-22 were from technicians and trades workers.¹

On average, tradies who suffer a serious injury on the job end up out of work for eight weeks while they recuperate. Losing two weeks of work can be incredibly stressful, especially as the numbers show the longer people are out of work the less likely they are to ever return.²

And while tradies are usually quite fit because of their jobs, they can still be struck down by illness – which also means a big hit in the hip pocket.

That’s why insurance is just as important as a hard hat or steel-caps when it comes to keeping you and your family safe from harm.

Back pain and back up plans

Alex* was 27 when he slipped a disc in his back trying to lift pavers into the back of his Ute. Fortunately, thanks to his age and healthy lifestyle, he was told he’d recover but was unlikely to be able to keep working in the same field. The strain on his back would be too much to keep working in construction, putting new stress on his hip pocket instead.

Because Alex had several years of construction experience, it made sense to look for new career options that leveraged his expertise. After considering a few options, Alex settled on becoming a TAFE teacher and passing his knowledge along to up-and-coming tradies.

To do this, Alex would need to complete a Certificate IV in training and assessment – on top of recovering from the injury – all while out of work. Luckily, he had income protection insurance and was able to make a claim quickly and easily.

This policy gave him the income he needed to complete his recovery and start down the path to becoming a TAFE teacher without worrying about his bills.

Protecting yourself with Zurich

These sorts of musculoskeletal injuries happen pretty frequently.

Zurich’s The Cost of Care report found the most common injury types across Australia are head and neck (22%), hip and leg (20%), and shoulder and arm (17%) – all of which can make it difficult to return to work.³

In fact, musculoskeletal conditions like these account for one in every two total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance claims made by men, and one in every three made by women⁴. And the data shows that trades workers have a higher risk than most other workers in Australia.

Insurance provides a financial safety net, helping cover lost wages and medical expenses in the event of a serious injury – and should be considered as crucial as safety training when it comes to protecting yourself.

That’s why it’s vital for trade workers to have a plan in place, including appropriate insurance, to reduce these risks and safeguard their financial future. Think of it like a contingency plan.

How to buy insurance from Zurich

Zurich makes applying for insurance cover simple, whether you’re after income protection or even life insurance. You can apply for one of our simple Zurich Ezicover policies online or get a quote today.

If you’re unsure about the type or level of cover you might need, a financial adviser may be able to help you better understand your circumstances and how to structure your policy.

 

* This case study is for educational purposes only.
¹ Safe Work Australia, ‘Key Work and Safety Statistics Australia 2023’, 28 September 2023, accessed 3 December 2024
² NSW State Insurance Regulatory Authority, ‘A recovery at work guide for workers’, N.D., accessed 20 December 2024
³ Zurich, The Cost of Care Volume 2, p. 84
⁴ Zurich, The Cost of Care Volume 2, p. 83