Whether you’re a sole trader working on domestic projects or a construction company managing large commercial contracts, having the right builders insurance is essential for protecting your business, your employees, and your clients.
At WS Insurance, we specialise in providing tailored builders insurance solutions designed specifically for the construction industry. With offices serving clients across the UK, we combine local expertise with access to leading insurers to secure comprehensive cover at competitive rates.
WHY ?
Construction work carries inherent risks. From working at height and operating heavy machinery to managing multiple tradespeople on busy sites, the potential for accidents, injuries, and property damage is ever-present. Without adequate insurance protection, a single incident could have devastating financial consequences for your business.
Builders insurance provides:
Many clients—particularly local authorities, large corporations, and public-sector organisations—require builders to hold minimum levels of insurance before work can commence. Without the right cover, you could miss out on lucrative contracts and growth opportunities.
WHAT IS IT ?
Builders insurance is a specialist package of policies designed to address the unique risks faced by construction professionals. Rather than a single policy, it typically comprises several types of cover that work together to provide comprehensive protection for your business operations.
The specific combination of policies you need depends on:
Who We Serve
Core Coverage Areas
What it covers: Public liability insurance protects your business against claims made by members of the public or clients for injury, illness, or property damage caused by your work.
Why you need it: While not legally mandated, public liability insurance is essential for virtually every builder. Construction sites present numerous hazards to visitors, clients, and passers-by. A scaffold falling and injuring someone, debris damaging a neighbour’s property, or accidentally breaking a client’s belongings while working—these are all common scenarios where public liability cover would respond.
Coverage levels: Policies typically offer coverage from £1 million to £10 million, with £2 million being the most common minimum for construction work. Many larger projects and public-sector contracts require £5 million or £10 million of cover.
Real-world example: A builder completing a loft conversion accidentally allows roofing material to fall from height, landing on and damaging a car parked below. Public liability insurance would cover the cost of repairing the vehicle plus any legal expenses.
What it covers: Employers’ liability insurance covers claims made by your employees for injuries or illnesses sustained during the course of their work for you.
Why you need it: This is a legal requirement if you employ anyone—including full-time staff, part-time workers, apprentices, and most labour-only subcontractors. Without it, you face fines of up to £2,500 per day you operate uninsured.
Who counts as an employee:
Who doesn’t require cover:
Coverage levels: The legal minimum is £5 million, though insurers typically provide £10 million as standard.
Real-world example: A labourer sustains a back injury while moving materials on site and is signed off work for eight weeks. Employers’ liability insurance covers the compensation costs and legal fees associated with the claim.
What it covers: Contract works insurance protects the building project itself while work is in progress. If the site is damaged by fire, flood, theft, vandalism, or other insured perils, this cover pays to restore the work to its pre-damage condition.
Why you need it: Construction projects represent significant investment in materials and labour. Without contract works insurance, you could be financially responsible for rebuilding from scratch if disaster strikes—even if you’re not at fault.
What’s typically included:
Coverage levels: Typically priced at 1-4% of total project cost, with cover available from £100,000 to several million pounds depending on project size.
Project-specific cover: Can be arranged on an annual basis for multiple projects or for individual contracts.
Real-world example: A fire breaks out at a construction site, destroying partially completed work and materials worth £80,000. Contract works insurance pays to replace the lost materials and labour to bring the project back to its previous stage.
What it covers: Protection for your tools and equipment against theft, damage, loss, or accidental breakage.
Why you need it: Your tools are essential to your trade. Tool theft from vans increased by 60% in London between 2020 and 2023, making this cover increasingly valuable.
Types of cover available:
Own Tools Cover: Protects tools and equipment you own
Hired-in Plant Insurance: Covers equipment you’ve rented or hired
Important: Most policies have security requirements—tools must be locked in secure storage when not in use, and vehicles must be locked with all security devices activated.
What it covers: Protection against claims that you provided incorrect professional advice, design, or consultation services that resulted in financial loss for your client.
Why you need it: If your work involves any element of design, specification, or professional advice, professional indemnity insurance is crucial. This is particularly important for design-and-build contractors or those who offer consultation services.
Common scenarios:
Coverage levels: Typically from £250,000 to £1 million or more, depending on project size and contract requirements.
For sole traders and self-employed builders, personal accident insurance provides income protection if you’re injured and unable to work. This cover can pay a lump sum or regular income during your recovery period.
Protects your income if your business operations are disrupted by an insured event, helping cover ongoing expenses like rent and wages during the period you cannot work.
If you use vehicles for your building business, you need commercial vehicle insurance covering business use. This is a legal requirement and separate from your other insurance policies.
Why choose us
We understand the construction industry and the specific risks builders face. Our team has extensive experience arranging cover for building businesses of all sizes, from sole traders to large construction companies.
We work with a panel of leading insurers specialising in construction and trade insurance, enabling us to compare markets and secure competitive terms tailored to your needs.
Every building business is unique. We take time to understand your operations, project types, and specific requirements to recommend coverage that precisely matches your needs—without paying for unnecessary extras.
We offer flexible payment arrangements to help manage cash flow, with monthly payment options available on most policies.
As your business grows and changes, we’re here to adjust your cover accordingly—adding vehicles, increasing contract limits, or expanding to new project types.
With offices serving clients throughout the UK, we combine local knowledge with national market access, ensuring you receive expert service and competitive rates wherever you’re based.
The cost of builders insurance varies significantly depending on multiple factors:
Business size: Larger businesses with more employees or higher turnover face higher premiums
Project type and value: High-value or complex projects typically cost more to insure
Coverage levels: Higher limits of indemnity increase premium costs
Location: Projects in areas with higher theft or damage rates may cost more
Claims history: A history of frequent claims increases future premiums
Experience and qualifications: Established businesses with qualified tradespeople often secure better rates
Typical costs:
Employers’ Liability Insurance: Mandatory if you employ anyone (excluding most family members). Minimum £5 million cover required by law.
Commercial Vehicle Insurance: Legally required for any vehicles used for business purposes.
Everything Else: While not legally mandated, other insurance types are often essential for:
Many industry organisations and schemes require minimum insurance levels:
Builders insurance is essential for anyone working in the construction industry, including:
Even if you primarily work as a subcontractor for larger firms, having your own insurance demonstrates professionalism and may be required by the main contractor.
Yes. While employers’ liability isn’t required if you work alone, public liability insurance is essential for protecting against claims from clients and the public. Many clients won’t hire builders without proof of adequate insurance.
This depends on the type of subcontractors. Bona fide subcontractors who work independently should have their own insurance. However, labour-only subcontractors whom you supervise and provide tools for typically need to be covered under your employers’ liability policy.
Yes. Contract works insurance and other policies can often be arranged on a project-specific basis, which is useful for one-off large contracts outside your usual scope of work.
Without proper insurance:
Many policies can be arranged within 24-48 hours, and we can often provide immediate temporary cover while completing full underwriting.
Most policies provide UK-wide cover, though some may have geographical restrictions. If you work abroad, even occasionally, inform your broker as standard policies typically only cover work in the UK.
Making a claim can affect future premiums, particularly if you make multiple claims. However, having insurance and making legitimate claims is exactly what it’s designed for. We can help you manage your risk profile to keep premiums competitive.
PROCESS
Contact us with details about your business:
We’ll research the market and present you with tailored quotations from leading insurers, explaining the differences in cover and helping you choose the right level of protection.
Once you’ve selected your preferred option, we’ll arrange your policies quickly and efficiently, providing all necessary documentation including:
We’re here throughout the life of your policies to:
Don’t leave your business exposed to financial risk. Whether you’re just starting out as a sole trader or managing a growing construction company, having the right insurance protection is essential for long-term success.
Our construction insurance specialists are ready to help you secure comprehensive cover at competitive rates.
