Specialist Construction Insurance Broker for UK Contractors & Developers

Employers' Liability Insurance is a legal requirement for most UK construction businesses under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. The minimum legal requirement is £5 million of cover, although most construction companies purchase £10 million, as the additional cost is often minimal and is frequently required by clients, main contractors and contract conditions.

Whilst Public Liability Insurance is not a legal requirement, it is considered essential for most construction companies. Many clients, principal contractors, local authorities and commercial contracts require evidence of Public Liability Insurance before work can begin. For example, a contractor client came to us after a digger injured a person on their site. Their previous broker didn't understand their business, and the insurer initially refused to pay. We reviewed their set-up and got their claim paid out, saving the business from potentially significant legal and compensation payments.

Professional Indemnity Insurance is typically required for engineers and other design professionals. It is also commonly required for design and build contractors and specialist trades that provide design, specification or technical advice, such as mechanical and electrical contractors. Contractors carrying out purely manual work with no design responsibility may not require Professional Indemnity Insurance, although client and contractual requirements should always be checked.

Without Contract Works Insurance, a construction company may be responsible for the cost of repairing or rebuilding damaged works themselves. It is also often a contractual requirement, with clients, developers and lenders frequently requesting proof of cover before work begins. Contractors All Risks (CAR) Insurance provides broader protection by combining Contract Works Insurance with additional covers commonly required by construction businesses. CAR may include contract works, own plant, hired-in plant, employee tools, site cabins and temporary buildings, and construction equipment. By bringing multiple covers together under a single policy, CAR provides more comprehensive protection and can simplify insurance arrangements for contractors, plant hire companies and property developers.

The right insurance for a renovation project depends on the scope of the works, project value, contract conditions, and whether you're working on an existing structure — so it's important to speak with a construction broker for accurate quotes. For most renovation and refurbishment projects, contractors should consider contract works, existing structures, public liability, employers' liability, professional indemnity, and non-negligence (JCT 6.5.1) insurance. We can help assess the risks associated with your project and tailor an insurance programme to the scale and complexity of your business.

If you need to make a claim, our team takes the lead. We talk to the insurer for you so everything is handled fairly, liaising directly with them and keeping you informed throughout the process. Resolving your claim as quickly as possible: our hands-on approach ensures your claim runs smoothly and efficiently to achieve the best possible outcome. You keep control: you choose how your claim is managed — whether you like to manage each step with your claims handler, or prefer to let the claims handler take the reins. Unrivalled industry experience: backed by our team's extensive knowledge of the London market, we work closely with our clients to deliver an industry-leading claims solution.

Insurers may decline claims where policy conditions haven't been followed. Common reasons include inadequate site security, underinsurance, incorrect disclosure of activities or breaches of policy terms. To avoid problems at claim stage, it's important to understand your policy requirements and ensure your cover accurately reflects your projects and activities. A property developer client came to us frustrated that their national broker had taken years to settle a claim. We put a second set of eyes on the insurance arrangements, identified the key issues, and got it paid in months rather than years.

The cost of insurance depends on factors such as your turnover, project values, claims history, trade activities and the level of cover required.

Construction companies can often reduce insurance costs by demonstrating strong risk management. Good health and safety procedures, effective site security, regular staff training and a positive claims record can all help improve insurer confidence and secure more competitive premiums. Invest in site security — CCTV, alarms, fencing, immobilisers, tracking devices and secure storage can help reduce theft-related claims and pay back in lower insurance costs over time. Use a specialist construction broker, rather than a generalist, to ensure you receive the most relevant cover. Generalist brokers may over-insure or leave gaps that only show up at claim time. Maintain a positive claims record — a clean five-year record can cut premiums by around 30%. Consolidate cover with one insurer where possible; many insurers offer discounts when multiple policies are arranged together. Pay premiums annually — this can often be more cost-effective than monthly instalments that include finance or credit charges.