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Construction, Contractors & Tradesman Insurance

Whether you’re a self-employed tradesman or manage a large construction firm, tailored insurance can help protect your people, projects, and equipment.

Cover can include employers’ liability, public and products liability, contract works, property, fleet, and professional indemnity, providing comprehensive protection across every stage of your work.

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Comprehensive Insurance for the Construction Industry

Construction businesses operate in one of the most complex risk environments. Projects can involve multiple contractors, valuable assets, and strict contractual obligations, all requiring carefully structured insurance.

Through access to a wide range of UK insurers and schemes, comprehensive programmes can be arranged to include liability, asset, revenue, and contract risks, along with specialist covers for engineering, fleet, and professional indemnity.

Cover can also extend to:

Construction work involves a wide range of risks, from on-site safety to design responsibility and project delays. Insurance programmes can be built around your specific activities, helping to protect people, property, and profit.

Below are the key types of cover most commonly arranged for construction firms, contractors, and tradespeople.

Protects buildings, stock, tools, and machinery against fire, theft, or accidental damage — including money, goods in transit, and computer equipment.

Covers loss of income or profit following insured damage, such as fire or flood. Helps your business continue operating while repairs or rebuilding take place.

  • Employers’ Liability – Covers injuries or illnesses suffered by employees during work.
  • Public Liability – Covers injury or property damage to third parties caused by your operations.
  • Products Liability – Covers damage or injury caused by materials, products, or installations supplied
Covers works, materials, and plant while on site until completion or handover. Includes hired-in equipment and continuing hire charges in case of damage or loss.
Tailored packages for sole traders and small contractors, including liability, tools, personal accident, and optional van cover.

Provides long-term protection against defects in design, workmanship, or materials. Often used as an alternative to collateral warranties for developers and property owners.

Combines multiple vehicles — from cars and vans to HGVs — under one policy. Choose from comprehensive or third-party cover with flexible driver and vehicle options.
Covers legal costs, expenses, and compensation for claims such as unfair dismissal, discrimination, or workplace harassment.
Protects directors, officers, and senior managers against claims made for alleged wrongful acts or decisions in their professional capacity.
Covers clean-up costs and legal liabilities related to environmental pollution. Essential for contractors working with waste, soil, or contaminated sites.
Specialist cover for plant and machinery, including statutory inspections and breakdown cover. Can include loss of income following damage to critical equipment.
Pays a lump sum or weekly benefit if a director or employee suffers injury or death due to an accident, either at or outside work.
Protects against customer insolvency or non-payment of invoices — helping you manage cash flow and reduce financial exposure during ongoing projects.

Every construction business is different, and so are its risks. Programmes can be customised to suit your operations, size, and client requirements.

Construction Insurance FAQs

Most firms require employers’ liability (if they have staff), public liability, and contract works insurance as a minimum. Depending on the size and type of work, additional cover such as professional indemnity, fleet, or plant and equipment insurance may also be needed.

This covers building works, materials, and equipment while they are on site — protecting against theft, fire, flood, or accidental damage until the project is completed or handed over.

Yes. If you employ anyone, even on a part-time or temporary basis, you must hold valid employers’ liability insurance by law in the UK.
It covers claims made against you for professional advice, design, or specification errors that cause financial loss to a client or third party. It’s particularly important for design-and-build contractors or firms offering consultancy.
Yes. Multi-site or annual policies can be arranged to cover all ongoing projects under one programme, simplifying administration and reducing potential gaps in cover.
Yes. You can include protection for owned or hired-in plant, machinery, and tools against theft or accidental damage, whether on-site, in storage, or in transit.
Premiums are based on factors such as business size, turnover, number of employees, type of work, and previous claims history. The level of cover and excesses chosen will also affect the cost.
Yes. Even if you work alone, you may still be required to have public liability or employers’ liability insurance depending on your contracts. Cover for tools, equipment, and personal accident can also be added.
If your work involves waste, soil movement, chemicals, or potential contamination, environmental liability cover can protect against the cost of clean-up and third-party claims.
Yes. Certain policies, such as Contractors All Risks or Professional Indemnity, can be extended to include projects outside the UK, depending on the insurer’s appetite and the country involved.

Contact the Team

Mike Watkinson Dip CII | Account Manager
Mike Watkinson Dip CII

Insurance Sectors We Cover

We provide tailored insurance solutions across a wide range of sectors. Each policy is designed around your industry’s specific risks, ensuring you’re fully protected, compliant, and supported by our expert team.

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