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What is construction insurance?
Construction insurance is specialised business insurance for companies and individuals who are in any type of construction business such as brick layers or builders.
You can buy different types of business insurance:
Employers liability insurance - covers costs if employees are harmed
Public liability insurance - covers costs if members of the public are harmed
Tool insurance - covers costs if equipment is lost, damaged or stolen
Do I need construction insurance?
Construction is a hazardous industry, so you’ll want to protect yourself and the public if something goes wrong.
🚩 Employers liability insurance is a legal requirement if you have staff
🚩Clients may insist you have public liability insurance
Without insurance you could end up paying some very high costs if your employee is injured while working, your equipment is stolen, or you are accused of damaging a client's property.
Why should I get construction insurance?
Avoid a £2,500 daily fine
If you are a UK business and you have any non-family members working for you then by law you must have employers' liability insurance.
Without it, you can be fined up to £2,500 for every day you're not insured
Employers liability insurance covers the compensation costs if a worker becomes ill or injured because of their work for you. This includes ex-employees.
For example, if a construction worker was involved in a project where they fell from scaffolding due to a faulty beam, breaking their leg and sustaining a concussion; employee liability insurance would cover their medical expenses, lost wages, and any potential legal costs, protecting both the employee and your company.
Clients are more likely to hire you
Having the right insurance in place can make you more appealing to clients.
Many construction projects, especially larger ones, legally require contractors to have insurance before work begins. It ensures that if any accidents occur on-site, the costs for medical bills, property damage, and legal fees are covered.
Protection for staff accidents, injuries and illnesses
If anyone who works for you becomes ill or injured because of their job you could be responsible for the associated costs, including expensive compensation claims.
Employers' liability insurance covers harm caused to employees, contractors, volunteers and anyone else doing any work for you. It's also a legal requirement.
Your equipment damages someone's property
From accidentally damaging a client's property while operating heavy machinery to causing structural harm during renovations, the nature of construction work can lead to costly property damage that owners may expect you to pay for.
Construction public liability insurance will cover the costs of accidental damage to other people's property, whether it's a client's, supplier's, or a member of the public's.
Your tools are damaged or stolen
Business contents insurance can help you recover the cost of losing company equipment to fire, flood, theft and other disasters.
Tool cover can offer similar protection for your expensive tools.
Legal support if you're sued
You can be taken to court if a client or a member of the public believes they have been physically or financially harmed because of your construction business activities, including if their property is damaged.
Construction workers could be found liable for everything from someone tripping over equipment on-site to structural damage caused during renovations.
Public liability insurance can cover the legal fees and compensation payouts in such cases.
Maintain your income if you're unable to work
Income protection insurance or key person insurance can replace your salary if you have to take time off work for ill health, so you don't have to worry about paying your bills or maintaining the lifestyle of your family.
Did you know?
£68 million in insurance claims ^
That's how much was paid out in 2024. Without business insurance, those customers would have faced paying that bill themselves.
Why should I use MoneySuperMarket?
Comparing quotes from different insurers allows you to find the best deal out there.
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What types of construction insurance might I need?
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Public liability
Public liability insurance protects you if your work harms members of the public.
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Employers' liability
Employers’ liability insurance protects you if your staff become ill or injured at work.
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Tool insurance
Tool insurance protects tools from loss, damage, or theft.
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Personal accident insurance
Personal accident insurance protects you if you're injured.
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Business buildings
Commercial building insurance protects offices and workplace buildings.
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Business contents
Business contents insurance protects equipment, including in home offices.
How much does construction insurance cost?
Cheapest Annual Price | Average Annual Price | |
|---|---|---|
Builders | £96.21^ | £168.24^ |
Bricklayers | £63.66^ | £83.37^ |
The table shows the average prices paid by our customers for the most common types of construction business insurance.
Average price means 51% of customers paid this amount or less. Cheapest price means 10% of customers paid this price or less.
What’s the cheapest price I could pay for construction insurance?
£5
.31^ per month
According to our latest data, 10% of customers paid this when taking out an annual public liability insurance policy.
How much is the average business insurance claim?
£3,377^
The cost of fixing insurable problems yourself is usually significantly more expensive than taking out insurance.
What is included in construction insurance?
Can be covered | Usually not covered |
|---|---|
✔ Legal expenses | ✖ Intentional harm or damage |
✔ Injuries, deaths and illnesses | ✖ Actions performed under drugs or alcohol |
✔ Stock and business equipment | ✖ Wear and tear |
✔ Business vehicle cover | ✖ Improper use of business vehicles |
✔ Financial loss |
Will my insurance pay out?
88% of Simply Business claims^
Almost 9 in 10 of business insurance claims made by MoneySuperMarket customers were accepted last year.
All insurance has conditions and exceptions, so you should read your policy documents carefully to make sure you know what is and isn't covered.
When it comes to business insurance, the cheapest option may not be the best option for you. Sometimes it is worth paying a little more to get a better level of cover.
Is it a legal requirement for a builder to have insurance?
No, it is not a legal requirement for a builder to have insurance. However, clients and organisations in the construction industry often require builders to have public liability insurance as part of their contracts. Additionally, insurance is important for protecting against potential harm or property damage.
How much public liability insurance do I need as a builder?
As a builder, you typically need public liability insurance of at least £5 million, as this is often the minimum amount to enter into a contract with many organisations / clients in the UK. However, the specific amount you need can vary based on your business, trade type, and specific project requirements. It's important to evaluate your risk factors and consult with an insurance provider to determine the appropriate coverage level for your needs.
What insurance does a self-employed builder need?
A self-employed builder needs business insurance, with general liability and public liability insurance being particularly important. These coverages protect against harm or damages to clients or the public. Builders risk insurance may also be required, especially for larger projects, as clients often request it.
What is business interruption insurance, and how can it protect my company?
Business interruption insurance covers lost income and extra expenses if an unexpected event stops your business from operating.
This includes events such as fire, flood, storm damage, theft, vandalism, or equipment failure. Your policy pays for losses and extra costs during the indemnity period, which is the set time the cover applies.
For example, if a flood shuts down your site for three months, the insurance can cover lost revenue and costs to keep your business running until you’re back to normal.
Do sole traders need business insurance?
As a sole trader, you’re personally responsible for all business debts and costs. That makes having insurance especially important.
Legally, you only need employers’ liability insurance if you have employees or volunteers. Other cover isn’t required, but it can protect you if something goes wrong.
For example, public liability insurance can cover legal fees and compensation if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged because of your business.
Which business insurance is compulsory in the UK?
The only compulsory business insurance in the UK is employers' liability insurance, which you will need if you have any non-family members working for you, even if they are on temporary contracts or volunteers. You can be fined £2,500 for every day you're not insured
Other types of business insurance aren't legally required. However, some clients and professional membership associations will insist you have various types of cover before they will work with you.
Our expert says…
In 2024, the UK construction industry dealt with rising costs and weather problems, causing project delays
^ . These delays can potentially add up to 15% to project costs. That's why construction insurance is vital, not just for legal requirements like employer's liability, but also for covering delays and material issues. Businesses need to compare policies carefully to ensure they have the correct insurance in place to protect themselves from these risks.
Jake Edmonds Travel & Commercial Insurance Expert
What other trades could I get insurance for?
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Window cleaners
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Hairdressers
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Pub and bar owners
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Tradesmen
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Painters / decorators
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Plumbers
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Electricians
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Domestic cleaners
Compare business insurance quotes from leading UK insurers
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Is it a legal requirement for a builder to have insurance?
No, it is not a legal requirement for a builder to have insurance. However, clients and organisations in the construction industry often require builders to have public liability insurance as part of their contracts. Additionally, insurance is important for protecting against potential harm or property damage.
How much public liability insurance do I need as a builder?
As a builder, you typically need public liability insurance of at least £5 million, as this is often the minimum amount to enter into a contract with many organisations / clients in the UK. However, the specific amount you need can vary based on your business, trade type, and specific project requirements. It's important to evaluate your risk factors and consult with an insurance provider to determine the appropriate coverage level for your needs.
What insurance does a self-employed builder need?
A self-employed builder needs business insurance, with general liability and public liability insurance being particularly important. These coverages protect against harm or damages to clients or the public. Builders risk insurance may also be required, especially for larger projects, as clients often request it.
What is business interruption insurance, and how can it protect my company?
Business interruption insurance covers lost income and extra expenses if an unexpected event stops your business from operating.
This includes events such as fire, flood, storm damage, theft, vandalism, or equipment failure. Your policy pays for losses and extra costs during the indemnity period, which is the set time the cover applies.
For example, if a flood shuts down your site for three months, the insurance can cover lost revenue and costs to keep your business running until you’re back to normal.
Do sole traders need business insurance?
As a sole trader, you’re personally responsible for all business debts and costs. That makes having insurance especially important.
Legally, you only need employers’ liability insurance if you have employees or volunteers. Other cover isn’t required, but it can protect you if something goes wrong.
For example, public liability insurance can cover legal fees and compensation if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged because of your business.
Which business insurance is compulsory in the UK?
The only compulsory business insurance in the UK is employers' liability insurance, which you will need if you have any non-family members working for you, even if they are on temporary contracts or volunteers. You can be fined £2,500 for every day you're not insured
Other types of business insurance aren't legally required. However, some clients and professional membership associations will insist you have various types of cover before they will work with you.
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Is business insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?
No, at this time business insurance is not an eligible product for unlocking our SuperSaveClub rewards. It is also not included in our Price Promise.
Who are Simply Business?
Simply Business is one of the largest insurance brokers in the UK. They work with leading and specialist insurers to provide cover for small business owners, landlords and self-employed workers.
MoneySuperMarket has a commercial partnership with Simply Business. They offer various business and landlord insurance policies from different insurers through our platform, allowing our customers to find affordable quotes and policies that suit your specific needs.
Reviewed on 18 Dec 2025
According to Simply Business data, 10% of customers paid this amount or less monthly for a bricklayers insurance policy with Simply Business. Figure based on annual quotes purchased in 2024.
Source: Gov.uk
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
From 01.06.23 to 31.05.24 MoneySuperMarket customers received £1.59bn estimated savings based on (i) SuperSaveClub reward redemptions, and (ii) savings claims per product multiplied by the number of sales. Products included - Car, Home, Pet and Travel insurance, Broadband, Credit Cards, Loans and Mortgages.
According to Simply Business data, 10% of customers paid this amount or less for an annual builders insurance policy with Simply Business. Figure based on annual quotes purchased in 2024.
According to Simply Business data, 51% of customers paid this amount or less for an annual builders insurance policy with Simply Business. Figure based on annual quotes purchased in 2024.
According to Simply Business data, 10% of customers paid this amount or less for an annual bricklayers insurance policy with Simply Business. Figure based on annual quotes purchased in 2024.
According to Simply Business data, 51% of customers paid this amount or less for an annual bricklayers insurance policy with Simply Business. Figure based on annual quotes purchased in 2024.
88% of business insurance claims made by MoneySuperMarket customers were accepted in the 12 months before March 2025. Data from SimplyBusiness.
Average claims value for MoneySuperMarket customers who claimed on their business insurance in the last 12 months. Data provided by SimplyBusiness.
Simply Business data 2024