Builders insurance that keeps your projects covered

As soon as your building business starts working on site — even for small domestic projects. Construction and building work carries significant risks, and if something goes wrong and someone is injured or their property is damaged, you could face a substantial claim. Many clients and principal contractors will also require proof of cover before work can begin.

No — it isn't a legal requirement in the UK. However, virtually every client, developer, housing association, and local authority will require you to have it before allowing you on site. Without it, you could find yourself unable to secure contracts and personally exposed to claims that could financially devastate your business.

It covers compensation claims and legal fees arising from injury or property damage caused by your building activities. Common examples include a member of the public being injured by falling debris, a client's neighbouring property being damaged during construction work, or a visitor to the site tripping over materials or equipment. It covers both the compensation payment and your legal costs, even if a claim turns out to be unfounded.

Public liability insurance covers claims from members of the public — it doesn't cover claims from your own employees or subcontractors (that's employers' liability), losses caused by professional design errors (you'd need professional indemnity for that), or damage to your own plant, tools, and equipment. Always check your policy wording carefully to understand exactly what's included.

Not automatically — subcontractors are typically responsible for their own public liability insurance. However, if you engage labour-only subcontractors, they may be treated as employees in the eyes of your insurer, which could require employers' liability cover. Always ensure any subcontractors you use have their own cover in place and ask for evidence before they start work.

Yes — the size of the project doesn't reduce your liability. Even a small domestic renovation can result in a significant claim if a member of the public is injured or property is damaged. Many homeowners also require proof of cover before work begins, regardless of the scale of the project.

Building and construction work carries higher risks than many other trades, so cover levels are important. Standard cover starts at £1 million, but most commercial clients, local authorities, and principal contractors will require a minimum of £5 million or £10 million. We'd recommend £5 million as a practical minimum for most building contractors. Always check your contract requirements before selecting your cover level.

Yes — business insurance is an allowable expense, which means you can deduct the cost when calculating your taxable profit. Make sure you keep your policy documents and receipts as records for HMRC. If you're unsure, speak to your accountant.

Yes — you'll receive proof of cover instantly when your policy is in place, which you can share with clients and principal contractors straight away. If you also take out employers' liability cover, a Certificate of Employers' Liability will be issued immediately for display at your premises.

We've been arranging insurance for over 50 years — now trading as insurd — and we're authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Register Number: 308508), and over a thousand real customers have shared their experiences with us on Trustpilot.

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