Whether you are a scaffolding rental company or you're a laborer responsible for renting scaffolding for job sites, it's imperative that you purchase comprehensive insurance packages. No matter how secure we like to think our job sites are, or how confident we are in the products we own or rent, mishaps can ? and do ? occur.

For scaffolding rental companies

If your business is scaffold rental equipment, you must ensure that you have consulted with an expert scaffolding insurance broker or agent to arrive at the best possible coverage decisions for your company. There are many risks inherent to renting scaffolding. Scaffolding can collapse, resulting in third-party injuries or even deaths. More likely, , stands a decent chance of being vandalized or stolen at a construction site.

Liability insurance is an essential part of a scaffold company's insurance coverage. This type of insurance protects your company in the event that a third party on or near your jobsite (not a construction or jobsite worker ? he or she is covered by worker's comp) is injured or killed because of your scaffolding. If this happens, your company might be sued for negligence. Liability insurance protects your business against claims alleging that the scaffolding you rent out or erect is responsible for injuries to non-worker individuals on or near jobsites.

Equipment and property insurance are also necessary for scaffolding companies. These coverage packages protect your scaffolding business from financial ruin in the event that equipment is stolen, or is otherwise damaged at a jobsite. Some brokers offer property insurance in a combination package with casualty insurance, a more generalized coverage policy protecting the business from financial loss. For many scaffolding companies, a property-casualty combined package is the wisest investment.

Insurance against business interruption is a third essential type of insurance coverage necessary for scaffolding companies. Should your business be detained from operating, it will be protected against income loss.

If your workers use scaffolding to perform daily tasks, you will need to make sure they are covered under several different types of insurance policies, as well. Your employees can be injured while using the scaffolding. The scaffolding might be faulty or might have been assembled improperly ? or, your employees might become injured because of horseplay or improper work practices.

Every business is required by law to have a workers' compensation insurance package, but this is especially important for construction businesses and other firms that use scaffolding. If one of your employees is injured as a result of scaffolding, he or she can sue you for damages without a proper worker's compensation package in place. Rather than tying your business up with the legal system, buy the best workers' compensation package you can afford.

Choosing an insurance provider: Agents are different than insurance brokers

If you operate a large business or one with many risks, you should use an insurance broker. Brokers have extensive experience and training in insurance policies, and are most likely able to help you choose the insurance package or packages that will suit your needs. By contrast, an insurance agent can help facilitate negotiations between your business and the insurance company he or she represents, but generally cannot offer solutions that are as finely tailored to your needs.

Whether you erect scaffolding, or run a business that rents scaffolding, make sure you purchase the insurance programs and coverages that will suit the needs and risks of your business. An experienced insurance broker can help lead the way to better coverage for all businesses and employees working with scaffolding.