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Contractors insurance

tailored to your business needs

Get contractors insurance designed to cover your businesses risks through the specialists at Darwin Clayton. To discuss your businesses insurance needs or to get a contractors insurance quote, call us on 01892 511 144 or follow the links below.

Why get contractors insurance through Darwin Clayton?

The contracting industry represents around 80% of our client base. This means we have a significant amount of experience across a wide range of trades, including those faced with unusual or hazardous risks.

We deal directly with major UK insurers both locally and in the London market. By only working with highly reputable and knowledgeable providers to ensure we find you quality insurance quotes.  Partner with us, and you will also benefit from the following:

As you can see from the following client testimonial, your business insurance is in excellent hands with Darwin Clayton

“We have arranged our insurances through Darwin Clayton for many years and they always demonstrate a detailed understanding of our business, providing professional and reliable service. They have dedicated staff to handle all our requirements and the team is readily available. We have full confidence in their position as market leaders.”
Guy Nickalls | Director
Goodman Hichens Plc

What is contractors insurance?

Contractors insurance offers financial protection against any losses your business incurs through its day-to-day operations.  The exact level of protection will be dependent on things like the services your business provides and whether you have any employees.  However, standard covers include:

What does insurance for contractors cover?

The makeup of your contractors insurance will depend on the nature of your contracting business, the work you do and the clients you serve. At Darwin Clayton, our friendly team can arrange a policy specifically for your business’s needs, which can include:

As an employer, you are responsible for the health and safety of your employees whilst at work.  Employers’ liability insurance (EL insurance as it’s also known) of £5m is a legal requirement if you have any staff.  Businesses that hire people without having this insurance cover can face fines of up to £2,500 for each day they are uninsured.  If your employee is injured or becomes ill because of the work they do for you and they bring a claim for compensation against your business, you will be protected.

Covers your business if you or your employees are held liable for accidental injury to your clients, customers, or the public or for damage to their property because of your business’s activities.

If the products you supply to customers cause damage or injury, you could be held liable in the event of the claim.  

If there is a loss at the contract site before completion, you could be responsible for the loss dependent upon the contract terms. Contractors all risks will cover the costs of repairs or reinstatement of the contract works, including materials or other goods for incorporation in the works. Cover is also provided for own plant, hired-in plant and employees tools.

This cover protects your commercial property, its fixtures and fittings and the contents against risks including fire, flood and storm damage.

Covers financial losses following an incident such as fire or flood, protecting your business should you incur additional costs to continue trading to your previous level.

As with any insurance policy there are terms and exclusions, we will discuss this with you during the quotation process.

Are there any additional policy options for contractors insurance cover?

Depending on the nature of your work, you may need additional covers added to your contractors insurance quote.  Options for these include:

This cover will protect your business from losses and damages resulting from acts of terrorism.

Covers the value of your goods in transit to your customer’s premises.

Does Darwin Clayton offer any additional policies to protect your contractors business?

If you offer any design, consultancy, or advisory services, then professional indemnity – or PI insurance – is important for protecting your business.  Professional indemnity insurance protects you against claims for loss or damage made by clients or third parties over negligent advice you have offered.  This cover is often a contractual requirement with your customers, even when you do not provide any consultancy or advice. 

The UK has seen a significant rise in cyber-attacks, as highlighted by the 2023 Cyber Security Breaches Survey conducted for the UK Government, revealing that 59% of medium-sized organisations reported experiencing a cyber security breach or attack within the past 12 months. As this threat escalates, considering a cyber insurance quote becomes more important for a modern business.

Also known as directors’ and officers’ or D&O insurance.  This covers the cost of any compensation claims made against your directors, officers, or high-ranking management for alleged wrongful acts.  Claims could be made by disgruntled employees, clients, investors, stakeholders, and even regulators and could involve civil, criminal, or regulatory proceedings.  A management liability policy can also cover any legal costs that arise for directors in defending their cases.

With businesses facing so many risks these days, seeking legal advice and formulating legal documents, such as employment contracts, can be time-consuming and expensive when the services of solicitors and other legal experts are engaged.  Legal expenses cover not only offers the services of legal representation but also provides free legal advice on a range of legal problems and access to a suite of helpful documents.

This insurance cover includes three core elements: 

  • A separate cover for your computer equipment
  • Contractors plant covers your machinery such as a cherry picker or MEWP
  • As your equipment should be inspected regularly, this policy covers you for statutory inspection service
  • Motor fleet insurance covers your multiple vehicles on a single policy. It can be a mix of vehicles, including vans, cars, and trucks.
  • Uninsured loss recovery insurance pays for a solicitor to pursue a guilty third party for recovery of your uninsured losses such as policy excess, hire vehicle charge, loss of earnings; as well as costs to pursue a personal injury claim
  • GAP insurance will cover the outstanding balance of a finance or lease agreement on your motor vehicle following its write-off or up to 25% of the write-off value.

If one of your employees has an accident, and it leads to temporary or permanent disablement, or even death, a benefit payment will be made. Business travel can also be added to this cover.  

If a customer fails to pay you for services or products, whether it’s due to insolvency, refusal, or inability to pay, credit insurance will indemnify your losses. The insurance will also provide insights into customers credit ratings and what limits of credits to offer. 

Performance bonds are a type of surety bond and are written promises to pay for direct loss of damage suffered by third party as a result of a breach of contract. Performance bonds are typically issued for 10% of contract value and are common with construction projects to protect the employer against the contractor failing. 

Contractors insurance FAQs

It’s important for contractors to get the right insurance. To help you do that, here are contractors insurance frequently asked questions. We hope they are helpful, but if you’d like any advice, please call us on 01892 511 144. Our friendly team of insurance professionals are here to help.

If you have employees, you will need at least £5m of employers liability insurance – that is a legal requirement.

Your specific insurance needs may vary depending on the service your business offers and your client’s needs. Some of the typical covers we arrange are public liability, product liability, group personal accident, motor fleet, legal expenses, goods in transit.

Because accidents happen. Accidental damage to a client’s property, injury to a third party, stolen or damaged equipment and other unexpected events could make your business lose money, result in lost business opportunities, or even cease your business’s operations. A good contractors’ insurance policy provides cover should these situations arise, protecting your business from legal and financial liabilities. 

Having the appropriate insurance cover is not only a responsible business practice but also a way to protect the financial stability of your contractor’s business in the event of unexpected incidents or accidents. It provides peace of mind to both the contractor and their clients and ensures that the business can continue to operate effectively.

Getting a quote is easy. You can call us on 01892 511 144 or start your contractors insurance quote here. Our experienced team of professionals will help you find the protection you need. We understand your industry, and we will work with you to design insurance cover to suit your business’s requirements.

That will depend on the level of protection your business requires, the number of people you want to cover, what equipment you have, your claims history, etc. If you would like to get a contractor’s insurance quote, call us on 01892 511 144 or start your quote here.

Like some contractors insurance help?

If you’d like some help with your contractors insurance, please give us a call on 01892 511 144. Our team of insurance professionals will be happy to help you get the protection you need and offer you a contractors insurance quote.