Plant Hire Insurance

Protect your business cash flow from stolen machinery and site accidents

Your business and your bank balance stay protected after we set up the right cover for your machinery. Townsend McCormack arranges plant hire insurance for diggers, cranes, and dumpers so a single accident does not stop your work. We handle the paperwork and the fine print. You stay focused on the build.

Complete insurance services for every type of plant and machinery

• Hired-in plant insurance covers the cost to repair or replace equipment you rent from a hire company. It handles the bill if hired equipment is stolen or suffers accidental damage on site.
• Own plant insurance protects the machines your business owns outright from fire, theft, or flood. This cover handles the cost of new equipment so your work does not stop.
• Public liability insurance pays for legal fees and compensation if plant machinery hits a car or injures a person. It is often a requirement to enter most construction sites.
• Employers’ liability insurance is required by law if you have any staff or operators. It covers your business if a worker is hurt while using plant equipment or tools.
• Road risks and transit cover — standard plant insurance often stops at the site gate. This cover protects forklift trucks or tractors while they move on public roads or travel between jobs.
• Continuing hire charges — if a machine is stolen, you usually owe the hire company rent until the claim is paid. We find the right insurance policy that covers these charges so your cash stays in the business.

Five-step process to protect your plant and machinery

Our process moves quickly from the first call to a fully protected site.

• Machine review: a broker looks at the hire agreements or the fleet you own to find where a loss might happen.
• Total price list: every part of the insurance cost is written down. You will know the bill before the cover starts.
• Expert selection: we help pick an insurance package that matches the rules of your specific construction sites.
• Active protection: the policy starts on the date you choose. You get certificates to show hire companies immediately.
• Claims ownership: if a machine goes missing, our team handles the conversation with the insurer — see making a claim. We stay until the claim is settled.

Why we are a better choice than other insurance companies

• Professional advice over sales targets — most brokers use call centres where staff try to sell a plant insurance policy to meet a quota. Our brokers use 40 years of experience to give professional advice that protects your specific business operations.
• Managing continuing hire charges — other firms ignore the hire charges that a leasing company keeps adding to your bill while a machine is missing. For you, we find hired-in plant insurance that pays for these ongoing costs so you do not have to keep paying out of pocket.
• Tailored cover for construction sites — unlike others, we build a package that includes public liability and transit cover to give your business comprehensive protection.
• Dedicated claims support — many insurance companies leave you to deal with the hire company and the insurer alone after a theft. Our team takes full ownership of any claims to keep things swift and fair for your business continuity.
• Market-leading competitive prices — some brokers add hidden fees that make plant hire insurance cost much higher than the first quote. Townsend McCormack uses long-standing market relationships to get competitive prices from A-rated insurers with total transparency.

FAQs

What happens if a hired mini digger is stolen from my site?

Report the theft to the police for a crime number and then call Townsend McCormack. Our claims team speaks to the insurer to settle the value of the machinery so you do not face financial losses.

How much plant insurance cover do I need for a project?

The level of cover must match the replacement value of the most expensive machine on your site. We look at your hire agreement to help you find adequate protection for the total value of the plant.

Is plant and machinery insurance a legal requirement?

While not always legally required by the state, most hire companies will not release equipment without proof of insurance. Employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement in the UK if you have any workers.

Why does the plant insurance cost change for different jobs?

Several factors like site security and your claims history impact the price of a plant insurance policy. A secure yard with CCTV often results in a lower insurance cost than an open construction site.

Does this insurance package cover my own tools?

Yes, we can add tools and equipment cover to your policy. This protects smaller items that are often easy to steal but expensive to replace for a small business.

What are continuing hire charges in a plant insurance policy?

These are the daily rental fees a hire company charges while a stolen or broken machine is being replaced. We find the right insurance policy that pays these fees so you do not continue paying for a machine you cannot use.

Can I get short term plant insurance for a one week hire?

Yes, we arrange cover for a short period if you only need a machine for a single job. This is a cost-effective way to get adequate cover without buying an annual policy. Request a quote when you are ready.

Does public liability cover damage to the hired machine itself?

No — public liability only pays for damage to other people or their property. You need hired-in plant insurance to cover the actual machine if it is damaged or stolen.

What is the risk of using the insurance from a hire company?

Hire company insurance is often very expensive and has a high excess that you must pay first. Using Townsend McCormack allows you to get professional advice and a policy that may offer better value.

How does Townsend McCormack help with a poor claims history?

We use our market relationships to explain your situation to A-rated insurers. This helps us tailor a plant insurance policy with competitive prices even if you have had a claim in the past.

Contact us for advice tailored to your plant, site, and hire agreements.