Groundworks insurance that covers every site
Groundworks insurance from a panel of trusted UK insurers
Insure your groundworks business for liability with zero hassle
Groundworks insurance is a public liability policy that protects businesses involved in groundwork and excavation from claims made by the public for injuries or property damage arising from their work. It offers peace of mind, knowing that you’re covered for incidents that might occur on-site.
In partnership with some of the leading UK insurers, we’ll not only get you a better groundworks insurance deal with the best cover available, we work hard to keep you as a customer year after year.
Whatever you do for business, whether you’re a sole trader or limited business owner, we understand that you need to protect your livelihood.
24/7 claims service
We’re here for you round the clock when you need us most.
Fairer prices for all
As a specialist insurance broker, we search our panel of leading UK insurers to find the right policy for your groundworks business.
World-class support
You’ll get your own UK-based human to look after you for the duration of your policy.
We use a combination of technology and a wealth of experience to give you unrivalled cover and more affordable public liability insurance prices. Get a groundworks liability insurance quote today.
With over 50 years of experience providing top-quality insurance for public liability, you can be sure we’ve got you covered.
What is groundworks insurance?
It covers a range of scenarios where your groundworks business could be held legally responsible for causing harm or damage.
Some key areas it typically includes are injury to third parties, damage to third-party property, legal expenses, and compensation claims.
Public liability insurance is crucial to groundworkers for several reasons:
- Business reputation: Having insurance shows clients and the public that you take safety and accountability seriously.
- Financial protection: Groundworks often involve heavy machinery and excavation, increasing the likelihood of accidents or damage. Insurance provides crucial financial protection.
- Legal compliance: Many clients and construction firms require groundwork contractors to have liability insurance before beginning a project.
The benefits of a groundworks insurance policy
From the tools you use to the people working on-site, groundworks come with specific risks. Public liability insurance helps protect your business if someone is injured or their property is damaged because of your work.
Public liability cover for groundworkers:
Personal injury claims
Protects you if someone is injured as a result of your groundwork activities or equipment.
Damage to property
Covers claims for accidental damage to structures, land, or utilities.
Legal protection
Assists with legal defence costs associated with claims.
* Subject to your chosen level of policy cover and the prevailing policy excess.
Power up your insurance with additional cover for groundworkers
- Employers’ liability insurance: Required by law if you have people working for you. Covers claims from employees who suffer illness or injury due to their work.
- Tools insurance: Covers loss, theft, or damage to your groundwork tools. Including hand tools, power tools, and specialist equipment.
- Stock insurance: Protects the supplies you keep in stock for groundwork jobs. Covers theft, damage, or loss, on-site, in a vehicle, or at your premises.
- Hired-in plant insurance: Covers hired-in plant machinery against loss, theft, or damage. For example, concrete mixers, mobile towers, and pressure washers.
- Own plant insurance: Protects your own plant machinery like dumpers or forklifts, or against loss, theft, or damage, on-site, on the road, or in storage.
- Contract works insurance: Protects building work in progress if damaged by events like fire, flood, or vandalism. Covers the labour, tools, and materials needed.
How much does groundworks insurance cost?
This depends on the nature and size of your groundworks business, the level of risk involved and any claims history you might have.
The cost of public liability insurance varies based on several factors:
Type of cover
The cost of groundworks insurance depends on the cover you select. Policies typically start at £1 million cover, with options to extend to £5 million or £10 million.
Nature of business
Groundworks businesses can face higher premiums due to the inherent risks of excavation and heavy machinery use, which increase the likelihood of accidents or damage.
Location
The locations you work in can influence your premiums. Operating in areas prone to theft or vandalism that cause claims activity might result in higher insurance costs.
Business size and turnover
Larger groundwork companies with high turnover or extensive projects generally require more cover, leading to higher premiums.
Number of employees
Employing more workers means greater exposure to risk, which can increase insurance costs even in lower-risk operations.
Claims history
If your business has a history of claims, it can push premiums higher, while a clean claims record may help reduce costs over time.
Groundworks insurance frequently asked questions
When do I need to get groundworks public liability insurance?
As soon as your business starts carrying out any excavation, foundation, or groundworks activity. Groundworks carries some of the highest risks of any construction trade — particularly around underground services, structural stability, and site safety. Cover should be in place before any work begins.
Is groundworks public liability insurance a legal requirement?
No — it isn't a legal requirement in the UK. However, virtually every principal contractor, developer, and local authority will require you to have it before allowing you on site. Given the scale of potential claims arising from groundworks activities, it's one of the most important insurances a groundworks contractor can have.
What does groundworks public liability insurance actually cover?
It covers compensation claims and legal fees if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your groundworks activities. Common examples include accidental damage to underground pipes, cables, or services during excavation, structural damage to neighbouring properties caused by your work, or a member of the public being injured near an excavation site. It covers both the compensation payment and your legal costs, even if a claim turns out to be unfounded.
What isn't covered by groundworks public liability insurance?
Public liability insurance covers claims from members of the public — it doesn't cover claims from your own employees (that's employers' liability), professional design errors (you'd need professional indemnity for that), or damage to your own plant and equipment. Always check your policy wording carefully to understand exactly what's included.
Does groundworks insurance cover damage to underground pipes and cables?
Accidental damage to underground services such as pipes, cables, and ducts is one of the most significant risks in groundworks. Public liability insurance can cover the cost of resulting claims, but it's important to declare the full scope of your groundworks activities when getting your quote. We'd always recommend using utility mapping services before any excavation work to minimise the risk.
Do groundworks contractors need a higher level of public liability cover?
Generally yes — groundworks carries higher risks than many other trades due to the potential for significant structural damage, disruption to services, and injury on site. Many principal contractors and public sector clients will require a minimum of £5 million cover. We'd recommend checking your contract requirements carefully before selecting your cover level.
What limit of cover should I choose?
Groundworks carries higher risks than many other trades due to the potential for significant structural damage and disruption to services. Standard cover starts at £1 million, but most principal contractors, commercial clients, and public sector bodies will require a minimum of £5 million or £10 million. We'd strongly recommend £5 million as a practical minimum for groundworks contractors. Always check your contract requirements before selecting your cover level.
Is public liability insurance tax deductible?
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.
Do you provide evidence of cover?
Yes — you'll receive proof of cover instantly when your policy is in place, which you can share with principal contractors and clients straight away. If you also take out employers' liability cover, a Certificate of Employers' Liability will be issued immediately for display at your premises.
Why can I trust insurd?
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.
You can verify our status directly on the FCA register.
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