# Insurance for metalwork, locksmith and steel construction firms in Germany

> Metalworkers build things people rely on: railings, stairs, gates, canopies. If one of them fails, it is about injuries and product liability. The workshop has lasers and press brakes, and on site, welding sends sparks flying. This page explains what your business needs and what it costs.

Quelle/Source: https://www.nammert.com/en/business-insurance-metalworker.php  
Updated: 2026-09-18

## Am I liable if a gate I built traps a child?

Yes, if the gate was badly designed or installed, or a required safety device was missing. Public liability with product liability then pays for treatment, compensation for pain and suffering and follow-up costs, even years after installation. For power-operated gates, testing, documentation and maintenance instructions to the customer are your most important protection.

## At a glance

- **Compulsory:** No statutory insurance duty; for steel and commercial construction, clients ask for liability cover including product liability
- **Biggest risk:** Injuries caused by failing components such as railings, gates and canopies, and fires caused by welding
- **Basic cover from:** about €70 a year for the public liability of a very small business with an excess
- **Statutory accident insurer:** BG Holz und Metall (BGHM), the Berufsgenossenschaft for wood and metal; membership is compulsory from your first employee
- **Often forgotten:** Removal and reinstallation costs: if a faulty component has to be replaced at the customer's site, the exchange often costs more than the part
- **WZ 2025 / NACE:** 25.11 Herstellung von Metallkonstruktionen, 25.12 Herstellung von Ausbauelementen aus Metall, 25.51 Beschichten von Metallen, 25.52 Wärmebehandlung von Metallen, 25.53 Metallbearbeitung a. n. g., 25.61 Herstellung von Schneidwaren und Bestecken aus unedlen Metallen, 25.62 Herstellung von Schlössern und Beschlägen aus unedlen Metallen, 25.63 Herstellung von Werkzeugen, 25.91 Herstellung von Fässern, Trommeln, Dosen, Eimern u. ä. Behältern aus Metall, 25.92 Herstellung von Verpackungen und Verschlüssen aus Eisen, Stahl und NE-Metall, 25.93 Herstellung von Drahtwaren, Ketten und Federn, 25.94 Herstellung von Schrauben und Nieten, 25.99 Herstellung von sonstigen Metallwaren a. n. g., 33.11 Reparatur und Instandhaltung von Metallerzeugnissen

## What goes wrong in this trade

- **Sparks while welding:** Welding and cutting in existing buildings ignites insulation, timber or stored goods. Hot work is one of the most common causes of fires in buildings.
- **Failing components:** A railing gives way, a stair tread breaks, a canopy comes loose: injuries caused by products can come long after installation.
- **Gates and automation:** Power-operated gates and barriers without working safety devices trap people or damage vehicles.
- **Machines in the workshop:** Laser, press brake and band saw are expensive. A control failure stops the whole production.
- **Keys and locking systems:** Locksmiths offering a key service manage master keys and locking plans. A loss or error can cost an entire system.
- **Hands and eyes:** Cuts and crush injuries, arc eye and metal splinters in the eye are among the most common accidents.

**Risk radar** (Compared with other trades, 1 low to 5 high.): Liability 5, Fire and water 4, Theft 3, Cyber 2, Downtime 4, Health 4

## The insurance you need

- **Business liability** (Essential): Pays for installation, welding and product damage, with extended product liability and removal and reinstallation costs for faulty components. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-liability.php
- **Business contents** (Strongly advised): Replaces the workshop, material and tools at new value after fire, burglary and storm. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-contents.php
- **Machinery breakdown** (Strongly advised): Covers the laser, CNC press brake and welding equipment against operating errors, short circuits and breakage. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-machinery-breakdown.php
- **Business interruption** (Strongly advised): Pays wages and fixed costs while production stands still after a fire or machinery breakdown. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-interruption.php
- **Cargo insurance** (Strongly advised): Covers finished components and tools on the way to the site. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-cargo-insurance.php
- **Commercial buildings** (Depends on the business): If you own the workshop building, it needs its own buildings insurance. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-commercial-buildings.php
- **Occupational disability** (Depends on the business): A serious hand or eye injury can end your work in the workshop; income protection keeps your earnings going. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-occupational-disability.php

## What it costs: example prices

Liability for metalworkers is cheap for small businesses and rises sharply with turnover, share of steel construction and product liability. Machines and the workshop are the expensive part.

| Insurance | Example | Typical range |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Business liability | €50,000 turnover, €5 million cover | about €70 to €510 a year |
| Business liability | €250,000 turnover, €5 million cover | about €95 to €1,300 a year |
| Business liability | Business with steel construction, gates and extended product liability, ten employees | about €1,500 to €4,000 a year |
| Machinery breakdown | Fibre laser and press brake worth €400,000 | about €1,600 to €4,000 a year |
| Business contents | Workshop, material and tools worth €150,000 | about €400 to €1,100 a year |

For comparison: Liability and workshop contents cover for a small locksmith's workshop cost about as much per year as two to three metres of stainless steel railing including installation.

_Guide prices excluding German insurance premium tax, as of September 2026. The first two liability examples come from published tariff comparisons; the other ranges are guide values from our quoting practice. We obtain the exact quote for you._

- [betriebshaftpflicht24.de: Betriebshaftpflicht Metallbau](https://www.betriebshaftpflicht24.de/betriebshaftpflicht-metallbau.html)

## Our suggestions: three packages

- **Start** (locksmith or metalworker working alone, small workshop): Business liability, Business contents. Together: about €350 to €1,100 a year
- **Metalwork business** (three to fifteen employees, railings, stairs, gates): Business liability, Business contents, Machinery breakdown, Business interruption, Cargo insurance. Together: about €2,500 to €7,000 a year
- **Steel construction** (production with laser, own building and commercial projects): Business liability, Business contents, Machinery breakdown, Business interruption, Cargo insurance, Commercial buildings. Together: about €7,000 to €18,000 a year

## The worst day in the metal workshop

Six claims as they really happen to metalworkers, all on a single Tuesday. Go through the day and see who pays.

- 07:40: The press brake fails with hydraulic damage. Orders for three staircases are on hold. (€18,000, Paid by: Machinery breakdown)
- 09:30: While cutting a steel beam in an old building, sparks ignite the timber joist ceiling. The fire brigade puts it out; two flats are uninhabitable. (€120,000, Paid by: Business liability)
- 11:50: A sliding gate installed in spring closes without a light barrier and damages a delivery van. (€6,500, Paid by: Business liability)
- 13:20: The delivered canopy does not fit because the brackets were drilled wrongly. Removal and reinstallation at the customer's site are needed. (€5,400, Paid by: Business liability)
- 15:40: A balcony railing gives way; a guest falls and breaks an arm. (€28,000, Paid by: Business liability)
- 22:20: Burglary at the workshop: welding machines, cordless tools and stainless steel stock are gone. (€16,000, Paid by: Business contents)

**Damage so far:** €193,900

## Practical tips from your broker

- Include extended product liability with removal and reinstallation costs if you supply components that others install.
- Hot work on site must be insured; follow conditions such as fire watch and extinguishers.
- Choose at least €5 million combined cover, rather €10 million for steel construction and gate systems.
- Insure machines at new value and consider machinery business interruption if you only have one laser.
- If you offer a key service, include lost keys and damage to locking systems.
- Name gate systems, certified welding and steel construction expressly in the policy, so the activity is safely covered.

## Why NAMMERT for your business

- **We understand product liability:** For metalworkers, product liability and removal and reinstallation costs decide the outcome. We compare exactly these modules across several insurers.
- **Metal and claims from the inside:** In boat insurance we settle claims ourselves, including welds, fittings and stainless steel rigging. We know how surveyors assess material defects.
- **Workshop and private together:** Machines, vehicles, liability and your own cover are handled by one fixed contact person.
- **Family business since 1989:** We are free of charge for you; the insurer pays our remuneration. And we stay reachable when a claim needs reporting.

## FAQ

### How much does liability insurance cost for metalworkers?

Published tariff comparisons show about €70 to €510 a year for €50,000 turnover and about €95 to €1,300 for €250,000 turnover. With steel construction and gate systems it is considerably more.

### Do I need product liability as a metalworker?

Yes, as soon as you manufacture or supply components. Basic product liability is often included in public liability; the extended version with removal and reinstallation costs usually has to be added.

### Is a fire caused by welding covered?

Yes, if hot work is not excluded. Many policies require safety measures such as a fire watch and extinguishers; ignore them and you risk a reduced payment.

### Who pays if my laser breaks down?

Contents insurance for fire or burglary, machinery insurance for operating errors, short circuits or material defects. Business interruption cover pays the loss of income.

### Do gate systems need special cover?

Power-operated gates carry a higher injury risk. Name them in the policy and document the safety test at handover.

### What should I watch out for as a locksmith offering a key service?

Lost keys and damage when opening doors should be included; otherwise your business bears these costs itself.

## Request quotes

We obtain quotes and come back with a comparison. Free of charge and without obligation: the insurer pays our commission. You can write in English. https://www.nammert.com/en/business-insurance-metalworker.php#anfrage

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NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH, insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act, broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37. For boat and yacht insurance we act as underwriting agency, not as broker.

NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH, Karl-Marx-Straße 4, 15711 Königs Wusterhausen, +49 3375 29 12 77, info@nammert.com. Wikidata: Q141141479.