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Builders Insurance
Running a building business involves a wide range of responsibilities, from managing employees and subcontractors to working on customers’ properties, using tools and equipment, and completing projects safely and on time.
Whether you work as a self-employed builder, run a small building company, or operate a larger construction business, having appropriate insurance in place can help protect you against the financial impact of unexpected events and claims.
At 1st Choice Insurance, we help builders and construction businesses arrange insurance through a wide panel of insurance providers. We take the time to understand the work you carry out, the projects you undertake and the risks associated with your business before discussing the insurance options available.
From public liability and employers’ liability to tools, plant, equipment and contract works cover, we can help you consider the different types of insurance that may be relevant to your business.
Get a Builders Insurance Quote
Looking for builders insurance for your business?
Speak to our team about your building work, employees, tools, equipment, and projects, and we can help you understand the cover options available.
Call us today on 03301 081615 or complete our quote form below.
What Is Builders Insurance?
Builders insurance is a type of commercial insurance designed to help protect businesses carrying out building, construction, renovation, repair, and property maintenance work.
There is no single builders insurance policy that is suitable for every business. The cover you need will depend on the type of building work you undertake, where you work, whether you employ staff, the equipment you use and the contracts you take on.
For example, a self-employed builder carrying out smaller domestic projects may have different insurance requirements from a building contractor managing several employees and larger construction projects.
Builders insurance can bring together a number of different types of cover under one policy or across several policies, depending on the business and insurer.
Common areas of cover may include:
- Public Liability Insurance
- Employers’ Liability Insurance
- Contractors All Risks Insurance
- Tools and Equipment Insurance
- Plant Insurance
- Contract Works Insurance
- Buildings and Contents Insurance
- Business Interruption Insurance
- Legal Expenses Insurance
- Commercial Vehicle Insurance
The exact cover available will depend on your business activities, insurer and policy terms.
Who May Need Builders Insurance?
Builders insurance can be relevant to a wide range of businesses involved in construction and building work.
This can include:
- Self-employed builders
- General builders
- Building contractors
- Construction companies
- Property renovation businesses
- Refurbishment contractors
- Extension builders
- New-build contractors
- Groundworkers
- Bricklayers
- Joiners and carpenters
- Roofing contractors
- Plasterers
- Rendering contractors
- Shop fitters
- Property maintenance businesses
- Building and renovation companies
- Contractors working on commercial properties
- Contractors working on domestic properties
- Subcontractors carrying out building work
The type of work you undertake is an important consideration when arranging insurance. Building work can vary considerably between businesses, so it is important that your insurer understands your actual activities.
If you carry out more than one type of work, make sure all relevant activities are discussed when arranging your policy.
What Does Builders Insurance Cover?
The cover available to builders varies depending on the insurer, policy and nature of your work.
Some of the most common types of builders insurance include the following.
Public Liability Insurance
Public Liability Insurance is an important consideration for builders and construction businesses because your work can involve members of the public, customers, neighbouring properties and other third parties.
Public Liability Insurance may provide cover if your business becomes legally liable for injury to a third party or damage to third-party property arising from your business activities, subject to the policy terms and conditions.
For example, a customer could trip over equipment at a building site, or building work could accidentally cause damage to a customer’s property.
Public liability cover can help with eligible claims and associated legal costs, depending on the circumstances and terms of the policy.
While Public Liability Insurance is not generally a legal requirement for every builder, customers, principal contractors or other organisations may require evidence of suitable cover before allowing you to work on a project.
Employers’ Liability Insurance for Builders
If you employ staff, Employers’ Liability Insurance is generally a legal requirement in the UK.
Employers’ Liability Insurance is designed to protect your business if an employee suffers an injury or illness as a result of their employment and your business becomes legally liable.
This can be particularly important for building companies where employees may work with machinery, tools, materials, vehicles and other equipment.
Contractors All Risks Insurance
Contractors All Risks Insurance, sometimes referred to as Contract Works Insurance, can provide protection for certain construction projects against insured physical loss or damage.
Depending on the policy, this may include cover for works being carried out during construction, renovation, refurbishment or alteration.
For example, cover may be relevant where you are undertaking an extension, refurbishment or major building project and there is a risk of physical damage to the works during the contract period.
The cover available can vary significantly between policies, so it is important to consider the type of projects you undertake and the contract requirements that apply to your work.
Tools Cover
Tools are an essential part of many building businesses. Theft or accidental damage to tools and equipment can affect your ability to carry out work.
Tools insurance may provide cover for tools and equipment against insured risks such as theft or accidental damage, depending on the policy selected.
Cover can sometimes be arranged for tools kept at your premises, transported in a vehicle or taken to building sites, subject to the policy conditions and security requirements.
If your business relies heavily on tools and equipment, it is worth considering how these items would be replaced if they were lost, stolen or damaged.
Plant and Equipment Insurance
Builders and contractors may use a wide range of plant and equipment, from smaller machinery to larger construction equipment.
Plant and equipment insurance may provide protection against certain insured events affecting equipment used by your business.
Depending on your requirements, this could include owned plant or equipment and, where available, hired-in plant.
If you regularly hire equipment for projects, it is important to discuss this with your insurance adviser so that the appropriate cover can be considered.
Contract Works Insurance
Building projects can involve significant amounts of work, materials and investment before a project is completed.
Contract Works Insurance may provide cover for certain physical damage to works being carried out during the period of construction, subject to the policy terms.
This can be relevant for builders undertaking:
- Extensions
- Renovations
- Refurbishments
- New builds
- Conversions
- Structural alterations
- Commercial construction projects
The exact cover available will depend on the policy and the nature of the contract.
Business Interruption Insurance
An unexpected insured event could prevent your business from operating normally.
Business Interruption Insurance may provide financial protection following certain insured events that cause an interruption to your business.
Depending on the policy, cover may help with certain loss of income or additional costs incurred while your business recovers.
For builders and contractors, it is worth considering how an unexpected interruption could affect ongoing projects, employees, equipment and regular business expenses.
Commercial Vehicle Insurance
Many builders rely on vans and other commercial vehicles to transport tools, materials and equipment between their premises and building sites.
If vehicles are used for business purposes, appropriate commercial motor insurance should be considered.
Depending on your circumstances, this could include cover for:
- Builders’ vans
- Pick-up trucks
- Commercial vehicles
- Multiple business vehicles
- Vehicles carrying tools and equipment
The correct level and type of cover will depend on how your vehicles are used and the policy arranged.
Benefits of Builders Insurance
Arranging appropriate builders insurance can provide several important benefits for your business.
Financial Protection
Insurance can help protect your business against the financial impact of certain unexpected events, losses and liability claims covered by your policy.
Protection Against Liability Claims
Building work can involve working around customers, members of the public, neighbouring properties and other contractors. Public Liability Insurance can provide protection where your business is legally liable for certain third-party injury or property damage.
Protection for Employees
If you employ staff, Employers’ Liability Insurance can help protect your business against eligible claims relating to employee injury or illness.
Protection for Tools and Equipment
Tools and equipment are often essential to carrying out building work. Appropriate cover can help protect against certain insured losses such as theft or accidental damage.
Support for Business Continuity
Unexpected damage or disruption can affect your ability to complete work. Business interruption and other relevant covers may help your business recover following an insured event.
Meeting Contract Requirements
Some customers, contractors and construction contracts require specific insurance to be in place before work begins. Having appropriate insurance can help you meet relevant contractual requirements.
Cover That Reflects Your Business
Your insurance can be arranged around your activities, premises, employees, equipment, projects and other relevant risks, subject to insurer acceptance and policy terms.
Builders Insurance for Different Types of Building Work
No two building businesses operate in exactly the same way.
The insurance requirements of a self-employed builder working on domestic extensions may differ from those of a construction company managing commercial projects with multiple employees and subcontractors.
At 1st Choice Insurance, we can discuss the nature of your work and help you consider the insurance options that may be appropriate.
Domestic Builders
If you work on houses and other residential properties, you may need cover for public liability, tools, equipment, contract works and other business risks.
Commercial Builders
Commercial construction projects can involve larger sites, more employees, subcontractors, plant and equipment, and contractual insurance requirements.
Self-Employed Builders
If you work for yourself, it is still important to consider the risks associated with your business. Public liability, tools and equipment and commercial vehicle insurance may all be relevant depending on your work.
Building Contractors
Building contractors managing projects and subcontractors may need to consider a broader range of insurance covers, particularly where they are responsible for larger projects, employees, equipment and contract works.
Property Renovation and Refurbishment Businesses
Renovation and refurbishment projects can involve structural alterations, existing buildings, materials, tools and significant work taking place over a period of time. Appropriate contract works and liability insurance can help protect against relevant insured risks.
Why Choose 1st Choice Insurance for Builders Insurance?
At 1st Choice Insurance, we understand that arranging business insurance can sometimes feel complicated.
Our team takes the time to understand how your building business operates before discussing your insurance requirements.
We have access to a wide panel of insurance providers, giving us the ability to explore different cover options based on your individual circumstances.
When arranging builders insurance with us, we can help you:
- Discuss the work your business carries out
- Identify the main risks associated with your activities
- Consider the types of insurance that may be appropriate
- Review your existing insurance arrangements
- Explain the cover options available
- Consider any contractual insurance requirements
- Arrange suitable cover through our panel of insurers
- Provide ongoing support throughout the policy term
Whether you are an established construction company, a self-employed builder or starting a new building business, we can help you understand your insurance options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Builders Insurance
Do builders need insurance?
There is no single insurance policy that every builder is legally required to have. However, certain types of insurance may be required depending on your circumstances.
For example, Employers’ Liability Insurance is generally required by law if you employ staff.
Public Liability Insurance is not generally a legal requirement for every builder, but customers, contractors or construction companies may require you to have it before you begin work.
The insurance you need will depend on your business activities, employees, contracts and individual circumstances.
What insurance does a self-employed builder need?
The insurance requirements of a self-employed builder will depend on the type of work they carry out.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to consider Public Liability Insurance, Tools Insurance, Contractors All Risks or Contract Works Insurance and Commercial Vehicle Insurance.
Is public liability insurance important for builders?
Public Liability Insurance is an important consideration for many builders because building work can involve risks to customers, members of the public and third-party property.
It may provide protection if your business becomes legally liable for injury to a third party or damage to third-party property arising from your business activities, subject to the policy terms.
Is builders insurance a legal requirement?
Builders insurance itself is not a single legally required type of insurance.
However, Employers’ Liability Insurance is generally a legal requirement for businesses that employ staff.
Other insurance may also be required by customers, principal contractors, landlords or individual construction contracts.
Does builders insurance cover tools?
Tools can be insured under appropriate tools or equipment cover, depending on the policy.
The cover may protect against insured risks such as theft or accidental damage, but conditions and exclusions can apply. This can include requirements relating to vehicle security, overnight storage, or unattended tools.
Does builders insurance cover subcontractors?
Whether subcontractors are covered will depend on how your business operates and the policy terms.
If you regularly use subcontractors, this should be explained when arranging your insurance. You may also need to check what insurance your subcontractors have in place themselves.
Does builders insurance cover building projects?
Certain policies can provide cover for construction or contract works, including projects such as extensions, refurbishments and renovations.
Contract Works or Contractors All Risks Insurance may provide protection against certain insured physical damage to works during construction, subject to the policy terms and conditions.
Does builders insurance cover accidental damage?
Some policies can provide cover for accidental damage, depending on the type of insurance selected and the circumstances of the incident.
The exact cover, exclusions and conditions will depend on the policy.
Can I change my builders insurance if my business grows?
If your business changes, it is important to review your insurance.
For example, you may take on additional employees, start working on larger projects, purchase new equipment, change your business activities or begin working on commercial contracts.
These changes could affect your insurance requirements, so you should discuss them with your insurance provider or broker.
