Public liability insurance covers claims for damage caused by your business to a third party or their property. For example, if you damage a neighbouring property while working on a job or a member of the public trips over a ladder.
- >
- Business Insurance>
- Builder insurance>
- Compare builder insurance quotes January 2025
Compare builders' insurance
Builders' insurance - from tool cover to public liability
The insurance you need as a builder
Find the right builders' insurance to protect you from potential risks so you can focus on the job at hand.
Get builder insurance
Find your ideal business insurance in just a few minutes
1
Answer a few simple questions about your business
2
We’ll match you with the business insurance policies you need
3
Get insured in less than 10 minutes
What is builders' insurance?
Builders' insurance is a comprehensive insurance solution designed to protect professionals working in the UK construction sector. This type of insurance covers a wide range of risks that builders face, such as claims from clients alleging poor workmanship, workplace accidents, or loss and damage to tools and equipment.
A tailored builders' insurance policy can provide broad protection, or you can select individual covers based on your specific needs. For example, you might choose to include tool cover or opt for specific policies, such as public liability insurance, depending on the nature of your work. Having the right builders' insurance in place ensures you're financially safeguarded against common risks in the construction industry.
What will builders’ liability insurance cover?
Builders' liability insurance offers crucial protection in the event that you're held responsible for accidents involving injury to others or damage to their property. With this coverage, you're safeguarded against claims for compensation, legal fees, damages, and loss of earnings.
Here are a few examples of incidents that builders' liability insurance can cover:
A digger on your construction site ruptures a water pipe or damages an optical fibre cable serving a neighbouring property.
Roof tiles from a building you're working on slip and injure a passer-by.
Bricks from a wall you're demolishing fall onto a car parked in a nearby driveway.
Builders' liability insurance ensures that you're financially protected from the risks of working on-site, allowing you to focus on your projects with peace of mind.
Do builders legally need insurance?
If you employ anyone other than direct family members, you are legally required to have employers' liability insurance. Failing to do so can result in a hefty fine of up to £2,500 per day.
While other types of builders' insurance are not legally required, they can still be crucial for your business. Many clients will expect you to have appropriate insurance coverage, as it demonstrates professionalism and reassures them that you're the right choice for the job.
Additionally, some professional bodies may require proof of public liability and professional indemnity insurance to gain membership or accreditation, further highlighting the importance of having comprehensive cover.
What sorts of insurance should builders have?
Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance covers claims for damage caused by your business to a third party or their property. For example, if you damage a neighbouring property while working on a job or a member of the public trips over a ladder.
Tool cover
The right tools insurance covers the cost of repairs or replacements if your tools are lost, damaged or stolen. Plant equipment, such as lawnmowers and diggers, are typically included.
Employers' liability insurance
While public liability insurance covers claims from third parties, employers' liability protects you if a member of staff, permanent, temporary or subcontracted, makes a claim against you for a work-related injury or illness.
If you have staff, other than immediate family members, you’re legally required to have at least £5million worth of this cover. You must display your employers’ liability insurance certificate either at your office or on your website.
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance can cover your legal fees and compensation costs if a client claims they’ve lost money due to mistakes in your work. For example, you agree to complete a shop overhaul by a specific date, yet are late, meaning the client can’t open for business on time.
Personal accident cover
Getting hurt can put the brakes on a builder's ability to earn money. But, with personal accident cover you can ensure wages lost because you are laid up with a back problem, for example, are paid.
Contract works cover
Contract works insurance protects you if something beyond your control - for example theft, fire or wind damage - delays the completion of a job.
Stock cover
Building materials can be expensive - and that's what stock cover is there to protect. It means your wood, paint, bricks, slates, tiles and similar materials are covered against theft and other potential disasters.
What sorts of insurance should builders have?
Public liability insurance
Tool cover
The right tools insurance covers the cost of repairs or replacements if your tools are lost, damaged or stolen. Plant equipment, such as lawnmowers and diggers, are typically included.
Employers' liability insurance
While public liability insurance covers claims from third parties, employers' liability protects you if a member of staff, permanent, temporary or subcontracted, makes a claim against you for a work-related injury or illness.
If you have staff, other than immediate family members, you’re legally required to have at least £5million worth of this cover. You must display your employers’ liability insurance certificate either at your office or on your website.
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance can cover your legal fees and compensation costs if a client claims they’ve lost money due to mistakes in your work. For example, you agree to complete a shop overhaul by a specific date, yet are late, meaning the client can’t open for business on time.
Personal accident cover
Getting hurt can put the brakes on a builder's ability to earn money. But, with personal accident cover you can ensure wages lost because you are laid up with a back problem, for example, are paid.
Contract works cover
Contract works insurance protects you if something beyond your control - for example theft, fire or wind damage - delays the completion of a job.
Stock cover
Building materials can be expensive - and that's what stock cover is there to protect. It means your wood, paint, bricks, slates, tiles and similar materials are covered against theft and other potential disasters.
What does builders' insurance cost?
Because you can mix and match different coverage options for builders' insurance, what you pay each month depends on what you choose.
To help you get a picture of what other people are paying, we got in touch with our partner Superscript for a few real-life examples of what people are paying to protect their businesses.
Rahul - a self-employed builder from Luton with an annual turnover under £50,000 - was quoted £11.65 a month in July 2022. His quote was for public liability insurance (£1million limit) and employers' liability insurance (£10million limit).
James - a sole trader builder from Newcastle-upon-Tyne with an annual turnover under £50,000 - was quoted £23.52 a month in November 2022. His quote was for public liability insurance (£1million limit), employers' liability insurance (£10million limit) and plant and machinery cover (£5,000 limit).
Siobhan - a building business owner from West London, with an annual turnover up to £100,000 - was quoted £50.87 a month in January 2023. Her quote was for public liability insurance (£1million limit), business stock cover (£5,000 limit), contract works cover (£100,000 limit) and commercial legal protection (£100,000 limit).
How to get cheaper builders' insurance
Decide what cover options you want
Work out what you'd like to be covered for. For example, you won’t need employer's liability cover if you're self-employed and work alone.
Decide on your cover levels
How much public liability cover do you need? What will it cost to replace your tools? While underestimating could leave you in the lurch, there's no point paying for more cover than you need either.
Check your policy excess
The excess on a policy is how much of any claim you have to pay yourself. A bigger excess can mean cheaper quotes, but will mean you have to pay more if you do claim.
Learn more about our business insurance partner
We qualify, quantify and offer insurance using data, analysis and technology, and we serve a wide range of business types — from dog walkers and dieticians, to landlords and locksmiths. Enro Ltd t/a Superscript is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Why Superscript?
We make it quick and easy to find, buy and manage your business insurance.
Customisable cover for 1000s of business types
Superscript will help you find the different types of cover that are right for your business.
Adjust your cover as you grow
Amend your cover with no admin fees, to address your evolving needs as your business grows.
Simple claims process
Our customer portal allows you to enter the details we need to get your claim processed.
FAQs
What information do you need to apply for builders' insurance?
When applying for builders' insurance, you'll typically need to provide basic details such as your name, address, and the type of work you carry out. Insurers may also ask for information about the size of your operation, including your annual turnover and the number of staff you employ.
Additionally, you may be required to disclose any past claims or insurance history to help insurers assess risk and determine your premium. Being prepared with these details will ensure a smoother and faster application process.
Are tools included in builders' insurance?
Most builders' insurance policies offer the option to include tool cover as part of the package, ensuring that your equipment is protected against theft, loss, or damage. However, if your primary concern is tool protection, you can also purchase tool insurance as a standalone policy. This allows you to tailor your insurance to focus specifically on safeguarding your valuable tools, giving you peace of mind while working on site.
How long does building insurance last?
Many builders' insurance policies are set for 12 months, however flexible options are also available. These let you add in extras or increase or reduce your cover levels on a month-by-month basis.
What type of builders are covered by builders' insurance?
You don't have to be in charge of a job to take out builders' insurance. Everything from contractors, hod carriers, commercial builders and house builders can find cover. Check the terms and conditions of your policy or speak to your insurer if you need more details.
About the author
Didn't find what you're looking for?
See what other sorts of insurance could be right for your business
Business insuranceProfessional indemnity insurancePublic liability insuranceEmployer's liability insuranceGoods in transit insuranceMotor trade insuranceSelf employed insuranceLimited company insuranceBuilder insuranceTool insuranceTradesman insuranceShop insuranceContents business insuranceDog walking insuranceFleet Insurance
Other business products you might need
Customer Reviews
by 1,067 people
Amazing experience even though it…
Amazing experience even though it wasn't something you would normally deal with, Raaja was super helpful
Natasha Retzmann
Got a great savings account from…
Got a great savings account from money.co.uk
Raj
Money.co.uk has helped provide the most…
Money.co.uk has helped provide the most up to date and accurate information I’ve been looking for on mortgages and investing - super helpful
Tom
We’ve been featured in
