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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
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.
If you are a UK business and you have any non-family members working for you (including volunteers) 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[3].
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
That's how much was paid out in 2024. Without business insurance, those customers would have faced paying that bill themselves.
Comparing quotes from different insurers allows you to find the best deal out there.
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Public liability insurance protects you if your work harms members of the public.
Employers’ liability insurance protects you if your staff become ill or injured at work.
Tool insurance protects tools from loss, damage, or theft.
Personal accident insurance protects you if you're injured.
Commercial building insurance protects offices and workplace buildings.
Business contents insurance protects equipment, including in home offices.
Cheapest Annual Price | Average Annual Price | |
|---|---|---|
Builders | £96.21[7] | £168.24[8] |
Bricklayers | £63.66[9] | £83.37[10] |
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.
According to our latest data, 10% of customers paid this when taking out an annual public liability insurance policy.
The cost of fixing insurable problems yourself is usually significantly more expensive than taking out 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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
Business interruption insurance will cover your company for loss of income or gross profit if an unexpected event prevents you from operating as usual.
For example, if you were forced to halt operations because your offices were flooded, your insurance would pay out to cover any financial loss and additional expenses needed to keep your business running.
As a sole trader you’re only legally required to take out one type of insurance: employers' liability insurance if you have employees or volunteers.
But other types of cover might be a good idea considering sole traders are responsible for all business costs. Without insurance, if something goes wrong on the job you’ll be financially responsible.
Public liability insurance can protect you from expensive legal fees and compensation costs if a member of the public says they or their property have been harmed by your business.
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[3]
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.
In 2024, the UK construction industry dealt with rising costs and weather problems, causing project delays[13]. 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 Insurance Expert
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