WHY ?
Contracting work exposes you to unique risks that standard business insurance often doesn’t cover. From accidental damage to client property and workplace injuries to professional negligence claims, the right contractors insurance policy protects your livelihood and business assets.
Without adequate cover, a single incident could result in costly legal fees, compensation claims, or replacement of expensive equipment. WS Insurance understands the specific challenges faced by contractors and provides bespoke policies that give you complete peace of mind.
RISKS
COVERAGE
Core Coverage Areas
Public liability insurance is essential for any contractor working on client sites or interacting with the public. This cover protects you if your work causes:
Many clients and construction sites require contractors to hold public liability insurance with cover levels of £1 million, £2 million, £5 million, or £10 million. We can arrange the level of cover you need to win contracts and protect your business.
If you employ anyone, even on a casual or part-time basis, employers liability insurance is a legal requirement in the UK. This cover protects your business if an employee:
Employers liability insurance provides cover of at least £5 million for compensation claims and associated legal costs. It’s a legal requirement and protects both your business and your employees.
For contractors who provide professional advice, design services, or consultancy work, professional indemnity insurance is crucial. This cover protects you against claims of:
This cover is particularly important for IT contractors, engineers, project managers, designers, and any contractor providing specialist consultancy or technical advice.
Your tools are essential to your business. Tools and equipment insurance, also known as contractors all risks insurance for equipment, provides cover for:
We can provide cover for individual tools, full tool kits, specialist equipment, and portable power tools, ensuring you can replace vital equipment quickly and get back to work.
Also known as contractors all risks insurance or construction all risks insurance, contract works insurance protects ongoing construction projects against:
This cover is essential for building contractors, construction firms, and anyone working on new build, refurbishment, or renovation projects. Many construction contracts require contractors to hold contract works insurance.
For contractors using heavy plant and machinery, this insurance provides cover for:
This cover is vital for groundworks contractors, plant operators, and construction firms using excavators, dumpers, cranes, and other heavy machinery.
Many contractors need specialist commercial vehicle insurance for vans, trucks, and work vehicles. We can arrange:
Self-employed contractors and freelancers face unique insurance requirements. Whether you’re a sole trader working under IR35 regulations or operating through a limited company, WS Insurance provides tailored cover that addresses your specific needs.
For contractors operating inside or outside IR35, having the right insurance is crucial for contract compliance. Many clients require contractors to hold:
We work with freelance contractors across all industries to ensure compliance with contract requirements and comprehensive protection for your business activities.
Key benefits
Contractors rely on their tools to get the job done. Our tools and equipment cover protects your vital equipment from theft, loss, or damage, helping you avoid costly disruptions to your work.
Why choose us
Contractors insurance is specialist business insurance designed to protect contractors from the specific risks they face while working. It typically includes cover for public liability, employers liability, professional indemnity, tools and equipment, and contract works, ensuring comprehensive protection against claims of injury, damage, or negligence.
If you employ anyone, even casually or part-time, employers liability insurance is a legal requirement in the UK. Public liability insurance isn’t legally required but is essential for most contractors as many clients and construction sites require you to hold it before allowing you to work. Professional indemnity is also often a contractual requirement for consultants and advisors.
Public liability insurance covers you if a member of the public, a client, or any third party is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your work. This is particularly important for contractors who work on-site or in clients’ homes or offices.
If you employ anyone, even on a part-time or temporary basis, employer’s liability insurance is a legal requirement in the UK. It protects you against claims from employees who may be injured or become ill due to the work they do for you.
Tools and equipment insurance provides cover if your tools or equipment are lost, damaged, or stolen. As a contractor, your tools are essential to your business, and this insurance ensures you’re not left out of pocket if something happens to them.
Professional indemnity insurance covers you if a client claims that there was a mistake or negligence in the professional services you provided, such as advice or designs, that caused them financial loss. This cover is essential for contractors who provide consultancy or design services.
WS Insurance provides tailored contractors insurance for a wide range of industries, including construction, plumbing, electrical, roofing, carpentry, IT, engineering, and many more. We can cater to contractors across multiple sectors, ensuring your policy fits your industry’s specific risks.
Yes, at WS Insurance, we offer bespoke insurance policies. We work with you to understand your business and its specific risks, ensuring your policy is tailored to cover exactly what you need. This includes adding optional covers like contract works, plant insurance, and tools cover.
The cost of contractors insurance depends on multiple factors including your trade, turnover, number of employees, claims history, level of cover required, and the specific risks involved in your work. Basic public liability cover for a sole trader might start from £100-£200 per year, while comprehensive policies for larger contractors with employees and significant equipment could range from £500-£5,000+ annually. Contact us for an accurate, tailored quote.
If you need to make a claim, simply contact our claims team, who will guide you through the process step-by-step. We aim to make the claims process as simple and hassle-free as possible, ensuring you can focus on running your business.
You can easily get a quote by filling in our online form or by contacting one of our expert advisors. We’ll discuss your specific needs and provide a tailored quote that ensures you’re fully covered at a competitive rate.
Most contractors need public liability insurance of at least £1 million to £2 million. However, larger projects, certain clients, or specific contract requirements may mandate £5 million or £10 million of cover. We can advise on the appropriate level for your business and arrange the cover you need.
Public liability insurance covers physical injury to third parties or damage to their property caused by your work. Professional indemnity insurance covers financial losses suffered by clients due to errors, negligence, or mistakes in your professional advice, design, or services. Many contractors need both types of cover.
Standard commercial vehicle insurance typically provides limited cover for tools in your van. For comprehensive protection, you need specific tools and equipment insurance or tools-in-transit cover as part of your contractors policy. This provides cover for theft, accidental damage, and loss of your equipment.
Yes, self-employed contractors should have insurance even if it’s not legally required. Public liability insurance protects you against claims that could bankrupt your business, while professional indemnity may be required by clients. If you employ anyone, even occasionally, employers liability insurance becomes a legal requirement.
Contractors all risks insurance, also called contract works insurance or construction all risks cover, protects construction projects and work in progress against damage, destruction, or theft during the contract period. It’s essential for building contractors and is often a requirement in construction contracts.
While some basic policies can be arranged quickly, comprehensive contractors insurance tailored to your specific needs typically requires a conversation with our specialist team to ensure you have the right cover. We can often provide quotes within hours and arrange cover to start immediately once all details are confirmed.
