Uncovered and Exposed: Are You One Injury Away from No Income?
Let’s cut the fluff — working in the trades is bloody hard work.
You’re up early, hauling gear, swinging tools, and getting the job done in all kinds of weather. But there’s one thing a lot of tradies are still sleeping on…
If you go down — who’s covering you?
The latest Intrade Quarterly Report drops a truth bomb:
More than half of Aussie tradies have no injury insurance in place.
Even worse? A big chunk haven’t even thought about it.
📊 What the Numbers Say
🟣 39% — Covered and Protected
These legends have insurance that kicks in if they get injured and can’t work.
It means income keeps flowing, bills get paid, and their family doesn’t feel the heat if things go south.
🔶 36% — Running The Risk
These tradies have no insurance cover at all.
If they’re off the tools, they’re also off the payroll. And unless you’ve got a big rainy day fund stashed away, that’s a fast path to stress city.
🔴 23% — Blind Spot
This crew hasn’t even considered insurance. Not a second thought.
And that’s the most dangerous spot of all — because you can’t plan for what you don’t even see coming.
🧠 Why This Matters
Look — accidents happen.
A fall, a busted knee, a crushed hand, or even a dodgy back from years on the tools.
It doesn’t take much to knock you out of action for weeks, months — sometimes longer.
And while you’re sidelined:
No work = no pay
Bills keep rolling in
Rent or mortgage doesn't stop
Kids still need feeding
Tools still need repayments
If you’re not protected, you're not just risking your own future — you’re putting your entire family on the line.
💡 What You Can Do About It
Here’s how to get on the front foot and sort your cover like a boss:
1️⃣ Understand What Cover You Actually Need
Not all insurance is created equal. The big one you’re looking for is Personal Accident & Sickness Insurance (sometimes called Income Protection for tradies).
This typically covers:
Weekly payments if you can’t work due to injury or illness
Lump sum payouts in serious cases
Rehab support and medical bills
If you run your own business, look into business expense insurance too — it’ll help cover overheads while you recover.
2️⃣ Talk to a Broker Who Knows Tradies
Don’t just Google and guess.
A good insurance broker who specialises in the trade game can:
Recommend cover that fits your trade and income
Help you avoid useless extras or dodgy fine print
Get you a better deal than going direct
We’re working on some trusted insurance partners inside Intrade — stay tuned.
3️⃣ Start Small if You Have To
You don’t need a gold-plated plan to start.
Even a basic policy can protect you if things go sideways.
You can always upgrade later when your cashflow improves — but doing nothing is the biggest risk.
4️⃣ Keep Your Cover Updated
If you’ve changed jobs, gone from apprentice to sole trader, or started your own gig — your cover might be outdated or invalid.
Check it. Update it. Make sure it still fits your situation.
🔨 Bottom Line
If you're reading this and don’t have a plan — now’s the time to fix it.
Don’t wait until something goes wrong and you're scrambling.
✅ Get informed
✅ Talk to someone who knows their stuff
✅ Lock in basic protection
✅ Sleep better at night knowing you're sorted
