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Builders insurance

Build a solid foundation for your business - talk to the experts at Everywhen about builders’ liability insurance.

  • Builders public liability insurance covers legal costs for allegations of accidental personal injury or damage to third party property

  • Cover to pay for third-party compensation and repairs to damage

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Why choose builders insurance with Everywhen?

Builders insurance for commercial, residential, conversions and new builds

A range of cover options built to suit your type of work and your specification.

Builders’ liability cover for hazardous locations

Builders insurance for both hazardous and non-hazardous locations.

Dedicated builders claims service

Experts claim handlers to give you peace of mind.

Pay for your builders insurance by Direct Debit

You can choose to split your payment into 10 monthly instalments. Please read our dedicated page on Direct Debit.

What is builders insurance?

Builders insurance is a type of business and liability insurance for tradesman and specifically builders. It can cover you for most types of building work including:

  • building new or repairing old private and commercial properties

  • surveying visiting properties for quotes

  • public contracts

  • general building jobs

  • working abroad and

  • even other tradesman work like gardening or plumbing if you need it.

The trick though is using a specialist insurer who not only understands the risk you face in your industry but also knows how to calculate the risk you personally face and therefore offer you a tailored insurance package that offers only the cover you need, so you don’t pay for anything else.

What does builders insurance cover?

Builders liability insurance is a package of policies specific to the builders trade. It will likely include:

  • Public liability

  • Product liability

  • Employers liability

Optional covers include:

  • Builder's tools insurance cover - theft or damage cover for your tools

  • Contact works - to cover on-going jobs from damage or prolongment

  • JCT (non-negligence insurance) - to cover work already completed

Liability insurance for builders

Whatever type of work you are doing, from building a wall to an extension, we’ll help you ensure you have sufficient builders’ contractors public liability cover in place, with limits up to £10 million or higher on request. As your business grows you may take on staff too – we can provide employers’ liability insurance covering temporary, permanent and sub-contracted employees up to £10 million to meet your regulatory requirements.

Builders’ tools insurance

With flexible tools cover available with limits set by you, we can cover your tools and equipment. We can also include employees' tools, specialist equipment and hired plant too. Tools must be locked securely outside business hours, and a single item value limit will apply.

Specialist types of cover with our builders insurance

We can source builders’ insurance policies which include many features such as joint contracts tribunal (JCT) insurance, non-negligence insurance and contractors’ all-risks (CAR) cover for your own plant, hired-in plant, and contract works. Just discuss what you need when you speak to our specialist advisers.

Flexible cover for builders

You can build your own quote and buy online alternatively, speak directly with an experienced adviser for a full review of your requirements. Do you need immediate cover? Or require builders’ insurance for refurbishment, conversion and development? Perhaps you require evidence of public liability insurance to get on site or tender for a new contract? No problem, we can get you on cover immediately via the phone or online and email your policy documents the same day.

JCT insurance for builders

You can optionally add difficult-to-find cover such as joint contracts tribunal (JCT) to your builders insurance.

Get a quote from Everywhen today

Searching for builders insurance quotes? Let us help you find the right policy.

How do builders insurance claims work?

When you need to make a claim, the claims team will guide you through the process and get your claim settled as quickly as possible.

  • Find your insurance documents and make sure you have all your information at hand, including your policy number.

  • Call the claims team on 0344 892 1384 and explain exactly what happened.

  • Provide photos if requested to help us understand what happened as quickly as we can.

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What our customers are saying


Builders insurance FAQs

Wondering about something? Don't worry, Everywhen's here to help. We've put together some common questions about builders insurance cover to support you every step of the way.

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Whilst builders’ activities are similar, the types of property, height and location can vary from new build, conversion, repair maintenance of domestic properties offices, shops and commercial work up 4 storeys to work on large commercial and industrial sites at height and at high risk or hazardous locations. It is therefore very important for you to provide full details of the type of work and properties worked upon, so we can tailor cover for you.

Yes, we can cover labour only sub-contractors, as well as PAYE staff for the same risks under your employers’ liability cover.

It is very important to declare how your workforce are employed as this will affect how your risks are calculated.

We know JCT is becoming more and more desired as part of tradesman insurance, even though it still remains relatively difficult to find amongst the various providers. We pride ourselves on not only being able to source this protection for those looking for it but also being able to accommodate any other types of cover you may need such as sub-contractors and employees’ tools cover. Speak with one of our advisers about your needs and how we might be able to help.

Builders face many risks in their line of work. Unfortunately, no matter how well prepared you are, mistakes can happen – and a single slip could be disastrous for you and your business arising from personal injuries caused to visitors on site or in the general public in the vicinity of site. Legal action, for the consequences of third party personal injury or property damage from your activities is a real threat. Protect yourself, your business and clients, with a flexible public liability insurance policy tailored to match your requirements.

If you prefer to spread the cost of your annual premium, we offer a quick and easy direct debit scheme. When you choose to pay premiums in instalments, you will be paying under a Premium Finance plan.

We will give you full details of the finance provider, and the additional cost of finance, when we provide you with your payment plan quotation. This will include the total payable, the number of monthly instalments and the cost of each, as well as the representative APR.

If you would like to know more about our monthly payment option, please visit our dedicated Direct Debit page.

Builders insurance is a policy designed to cover various risks and liabilities associated with construction, repair and other building projects, including accidental property damage and third-party claims for accidental injury and illness to you and your employees.

It is crucial for builders to have business insurance to protect against potential financial losses from accidents, damages or legal claims.

Whilst builders’ activities are similar, the types of property, height and location can vary from new build, conversion, repair maintenance of domestic properties offices, shops and commercial work up 4 storeys to work on large commercial and industrial sites at height and at high risk or hazardous locations. It is therefore very important for you to provide full details of the type of work and properties worked upon, so we can tailor cover for you.

Public liability insurance covers legal defence costs for allegation of  legal liabilities arising from accidental third-party injuries or property damage caused by your work as a builder. If you are at fault the cover will pay compansation for the consequences up to the policy limit selected by you.

Overnight theft is excluded from vehicles unless locked in a secure building, and tool insurance also excludes wear and tear and damage caused while the tool is in use.

There are a number of covers you can also include to address your business’ specific needs, such as contract works insurance, personal accident insurance, and van insurance.

Projects under construction are always vulnerable to accidents and damage, so contract works insurance covers your business financially if the work gets destroyed or you lose your materials following incidents such as fire, flood, theft and accidental losses. You can restore the work in progress to its pre-damage status, and safeguard against additional losses.

Personal accident insurance provides you or your family with lump-sum benefits in specific circumstances you suffer which prevent you from working as a builder, such as loss of limbs. These can help with., or support your family after your death.

The weekly benefits will be at a level selected by the policyholder for up to 2 years.

If you employ any staff in the UK, it is a legal requirement to take out employers' liability cover as part of your builders insurance. This protects you against claims from employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses.

While it is not a legal requirement to have other covers such as public liability insurance, if you do not have adequate builders insurance you are unlikely to be able to gain any contracts due to their regulatory requirements. Also, in most cases employers liability is only available if arranged in conjunction with public liability insurance.

The most important thing to remember is that public liability insurance coverage doesn't cover your or your employees’ own injuries or damaged property/equipment. It only covers accidental damages to third parties, where you're legally responsible for the damage. 

To cover both yourself and your employees for accidental injury caused at work you need personal accident cover. Otherwise injury to employees will only be covered under employers’ liability insurance, where there is fault on your part. Both insurance types can be included in a range of covers under a builders insurance policy.

Please see your policy document for full exclusions.

Builders insurance is a flexible range of covers designed for tradespeople in construction. It can include protection against accidental third-party injuries, property damage, theft of tools, contract disputes and more. It should be considered to help you meet legal obligations and client requirements, while staying protected on every job.

With Everywhen, you can build a policy around the work you do. From public and employers’ liability to contractors all risks, our insurance can be tailored to fit your setup, so you only pay for the cover you need.

Builders insurance refers to a range of business insurances’ that protect people working in construction and the building trades. It covers a range of risks you might face on site, from accidental damage and injuries to legal claims made against you.

If you’re a self-employed builder, subcontractor or run a small team, this kind of cover helps protect your business, your tools and your finances. Whether you’re laying foundations, managing renovations or working on contract builds, accidents can happen and insurance helps you deal with the unexpected.

Policies can include public and employers’ liability, tools cover, hired-in plant, personal accident insurance and more. And because no two building jobs are the same, you can tailor your cover to match how you work, whether you’re a sole trader or a limited company.

Builders liability insurance is a package of policies specific to the builders trade. It will likely include:

  • Public liability

  • Product liability

  • Employers liability

Optional covers include:

  • Builder's tools insurance cover - theft or damage cover for your tools

  • Contact works - to cover on-going jobs from damage to the works in progress

  • JCT (non-negligence insurance) - a specialist public liability policy that protects against damage to adjacent third-party property caused by construction works, even where no party is at fault.

Liability insurance for builders

Whatever type of work you are doing, from building a wall to an extension, we’ll help you ensure you have sufficient builders’ contractors public liability cover in place, with limits up to £10 million or higher on request. As your business grows you may take on staff too – we can provide employers’ liability insurance covering temporary, permanent and sub-contracted employees up to £10 million to meet your regulatory requirements.

Builders’ tools insurance

With flexible tools cover available with limits set by you, we can cover your tools and equipment. We can also include employees' tools, specialist equipment and hired plant too. Tools must be locked securely outside business hours, and a single item value limit will apply.

Specialist types of cover with our builders insurance

We can source builders’ insurance policies which include many features such as contractors’ all-risks (CAR) cover for your own plant, hired-in plant, and contract works and joint contracts tribunal (JCT) insurance, non-negligence insurance where required. Just discuss what you need when you speak to our specialist advisers.

Flexible cover for builders

You can build your own quote and buy online alternatively, speak directly with an experienced adviser for a full review of your requirements. Do you need immediate cover? Or require builders’ insurance for refurbishment, conversion and development? Perhaps you require evidence of public liability insurance to get on site or tender for a new contract? No problem, we can get you on cover immediately via the phone or online and email your policy documents the same day.

JCT insurance for builders

You can optionally add difficult-to-find cover such as joint contracts tribunal (JCT) to your builders insurance - contact us and speak to one of our advisors.

Builders insurance isn’t a legal requirement in itself, but some parts of it are, and many clients will expect you to have it in place. Whether you’re working solo or managing a team, having the right cover can protect your business and help you win more work. You may need it if you:

  • Work with clients or the public

  • Use valuable tools or equipment

  • Manage a team or hire subcontractors

  • Need proof of cover to secure contracts

  • You are legally required to have employers liability if you employ anyone. You should also check contractual agreements as you may be asked to arrange specific cover types as a condition of work by a client or main contractor.

Even if it’s not required, insurance gives you peace of mind, helping you manage risks, meet obligations and provide protection on site.

As a self-employed builder, it’s up to you to manage your own risks. The right insurance can help protect your legal liabilities, your tools and the people you work with. The most important types of cover to have are:

  • Public liability insurance (and employers liability insurance if you employ anyone)

  • Tools cover

  • Personal accident insurance

Subcontractors can, and often should, have their own insurance. While the main contractor might have a policy in place, it doesn’t always cover everyone on site, especially self-employed or labour-only subcontractors.

If you’re a subcontractor, having your own insurance can help protect you if something goes wrong. And can also make you more attractive to main contractors and potential customers. Many will ask to see proof of cover before you start work.

Both types of insurance are common in construction, but they cover different things:

Public liability

Contractors all risks

Provides legal defence costs against third-party claims for allegations of accidental damage or personal injury

Covers physical loss or damage to the works, materials on site during construction such as fire, theft or accidental damage.

Covers accidental injury to others or accidental damage to their property where you are at fault

Protects your project, tools and materials

Often contractually required

Optional but useful on-site., can sometimes be a contractual requirement

Example: You accidentally damage a client’s property whilst working

Example: A storm damages your unfinished build

Public liability insurance is essential for most builders. It protects you if a member of the public is accidentally injured or something is damaged because of your work.

Contractors all-risk insurance is more about protecting the job itself. It covers things like building materials, temporary structures and incomplete work, which is useful if you’re managing a site or working on larger projects, from causes like accidental damage, fire, theft, storm or flood

The cost of builders insurance depends on a few key factors, including the type of work you do, the level of risk involved, how many people you employ and the amount of cover you need.

Policies can often start from a relatively low monthly cost but prices vary. For example, a sole trader with basic public liability will likely pay less than a contractor managing multiple sites and staff.

The good news is that quotes are tailored, so you’ll only pay for the cover that fits your business. It’s quick and easy to compare options and find a setup that works for you.

Getting cover in place is quick and straightforward. You can get a tailored builders insurance quote from Everywhen or speak to one of our UK-based advisors for help finding the right policy.

We’ll ask a few simple questions about your work, tools and setup, then build a policy that fits. In many cases, cover can start the same day.

Whether you’re working solo, managing a team or taking on subcontracted work, we’ll help you stay protected on site. Get in touch with us today to get started.

A builders insurance policy can include public liability, employers’ liability, tools cover, contractors all risks, personal accident insurance and more. You can tailor it based on your work and business setup.

Tools and equipment insurance can be added to cover your gear against theft, loss or damage, whether it’s stored on-site, in a van or at your premises. (cover restrictions will likely apply for tools left in vehicles overnight).

In most cases, you can get cover on the same day you get a quote. The process is quick and straightforward, we just need a few details about your work.

Many policies offer monthly payment options to help you spread the cost and manage your budget.

Short-term or project-based policies might be available, depending on your needs. Speak to our team to explore flexible options for one-off jobs or temporary work.

Subcontractors can, and often should, have their own insurance. While the main contractor might have a policy in place, it doesn’t always cover everyone on site, especially self-employed or labour-only subcontractors.

If you’re a subcontractor, having your own insurance can help protect you if something goes wrong. And can also make you more attractive to main contractors and potential customers. Many will ask to see proof of cover before you start work.