Hired-In Plant Insurance is an All Risks policy designed to cover unforeseen loss or damage to construction plant and machinery that your business hires from a plant hire company.

This specialist cover protects contractors and plant hire companies across the UK against financial liability if hired equipment is damaged, lost or stolen while in their care, custody or control.

It protects against:

• Theft of plant (especially high-risk items like mini diggers & telehandlers)

• Accidental damage

• Road risks (where applicable)

• Public liability claims

• Employers’ liability

• Hired-in plant exposure

• Loss of hire income

Without adequate hired-in plant insurance, your business remains responsible for the total cost of the machinery, which could run into tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds.

A comprehensive plant hire insurance policy in the UK may include:

• Own Plant Insurance – Cover for your company-owned machinery

• Hired In Plant Insurance – Cover for equipment you hire from others

• Plant on Hire Insurance – Protection while machinery is out with customers

• Public Liability Insurance – Injury or property damage claims

• Employers’ Liability Insurance – A legal requirement in the UK

• Road Risk Insurance – For plant driven on public roads

• Tools and Equipment Cover

• Business Interruption

Cover levels depend on your turnover, fleet value, and whether you operate nationwide or locally.

This depends on your individual situation such as business size, total value of your plant and machinery, type of plant insured and risk profile. For example, forklift insurance costs will vary depending on whether you own the forklift or hire it in, its replacement value, and whether it is used on public roads (where road traffic cover is legally required).

Even small or start-up plant hire businesses in the UK should consider:

• Public Liability insurance protects you if your work harms members of the public.

• Employers’ Liability (if you employ staff) protects you if your staff become ill or injured at work.

• Own Plant Insurance covers plant and machinery that your business owns. It protects against theft, vandalism and accidental damage.

• Hired In Plant Cover protects machinery you hire from another company. This cover protects your business from paying the full replacement cost if hired in equipment is damaged, stolen or writeen off.

• Tools Insurance protects tools from loss, damage, or theft.

Yes, but only if security conditions are met. Plant theft is one of the biggest risks facing UK plant hire companies, with losses estimated at around £100 million per year and thefts rising sharply since 2020. If these conditions aren’t followed, a theft claim could be reduced or even declined, so compliance is critical for plant hire businesses operating across the UK.