Subcontractor Insurance
- A policy tailored to the exact needs of subcontractors
- Compare quotes from a wide range of insurers now
What is Subcontractors Insurance?
A policy to protect your work and reputation as a bona fide subcontractor
Subcontractors insurance is designed for bona fide subcontractors to help protect you either as an individual or as a business entity from potential claims arising from the work you do. Claims can arise unexpectedly and for differing reasons, from injury to an employee or member of the public to instances of property damage. As a subcontractor you will likely find yourself open to all manner of risks and hazards while working for the main general contractor, so an insurance policy starting with Public Liability insurance is essential to protect and secure your business.
What does Subcontractor Insurance include?
Core Policy Covers: Public Liability Insurance for contractors
A must have for any subcontractor, Public Liability Insurance protects you and your business if injury, or property damaged is caused by your business. With coverage at £1 million, £2 million and £5 million available, with higher amounts also available upon request.
Employers Liability cover
It’s an unfortunate reality but accidents can and do happen, so protect your business against accidents in the work place involving employees with Employers Liability cover. Remember if you have people working for you then Employers Liability Insurance is legally required. The health and safety of your employees is your responsibility so it’s important to take necessary precautions to ensure their wellbeing.
Add-ons: Contract Works or Contractors All Risks cover
Contract Works or ‘Contractors All Risks’ insures your work plus materials, should they be damaged or stolen.
All Risk Insurance
All Risk Insurance protects your possessions away from your business premises or home.
Third party Property Damage cover
This is an extension of Public Liability Insurance and covers you for any damage you or your employees cause to the clients/third parties property you are working on.
Equipment Damage cover
Cover in the event your tools or equipment are damaged, lost or stolen equipment.
As a subcontractor you’ll be tasked with carrying out specified work within a project. Hired by a general contractor you will be working on either a labour only or bona fide basis. If you are hired as a labour only contractor you’ll be included in the general Contractors Insurance policy. However those subcontractors operating on a bona fide basis will require their own policy.
As a bona fide subcontractor you will be working without the supervision of the general contractor, and may in fact supervise a crew of your own. You will be responsible for carrying out your own risk assessments and supply their own materials, equipment and tools.
Why you need Subcontractors Insurance
As is often the case clients or general contractors will require you; as a subcontractor to have some form of Liability Insurance in place prior to carrying out any work on their behalf. You might work as a subcontractor in the building trade, in the technology sector or other sector, but no matter what sector you operate in the need for a dedicated subcontractor policy is great – with liability cover protecting you from third party bodily injury and property damage claims.
Subcontractor Insurance FAQs
-
Does Public Liability cover everything I need?
Public liability insurance is the best start point for subcontractors, however, it does not offer everything you will need for your business. Firstly, if you have employees, by law you must have employers’ liability insurance. To not have this puts your staff at risk. In addition to this, there are a number of additional covers that will offer further protection for your business in the event of damage, injury or loss of equipment or tools. All risk insurance and equipment damage cover are recommended for all subcontractors who have staff and multiple tools and equipment.
Was this article helpful?YesNo -
Do I need employers’ liability insurance?
If you have a team of workers, it’s essential that you have employers’ liability insurance. In fact, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement for any employer who has staff. This will offer them full protection against any accident that may happen whilst working on a subcontractor project. In addition to this, it can help boost your employee happiness and productivity by ensuring that they are safe, cared for and protected.
Was this article helpful?YesNo -
Won’t the main contractor’s insurance cover me?
Never assume that your insurance will be covered by the main contractor on a project. In almost all cases, subcontractors need to have their own insurance. Public liability insurance is the best starting point to protect and secure your business from risks and hazards that are common to commercial, industrial and residential construction sites. Other insurance options such as third party property damage cover will protect you whilst working with the main contractor.
Was this article helpful?YesNo
Compare Subcontractor Insurance quotes from
a range of niche and leading UK insurers
Need Professional Indemnity cover?
If you offer advice to clients or general contractors then you may benefit from a dedicated professional indemnity insurance policy. This will protect you against claims arising from misadvice or misdesign.
Cover you can trust
We can often provide you with your Business Insurance and documents on the same day in most cases, offering a range of flexible payment options, including Direct Debit to suit you. Speak to us today and get a quote. Get in touch today for a quote.
Why choose us for your Subcontractor Insurance?
We proudly make buying insurance different and our cover comes with a range of benefits.
Up to £5 million of cover
Claims can be expensive, that’s why we source cover that offers up to £5 million worth of public liability cover for shops. With more available upon request.
Simple specific cover
To help save you both time and money. We compare prices from a range of different insurers so you don’t have to.
A team that knows your industry
We’ll connect you with an agent who understands many of the challenges you face and can truly get to grips with the type of cover you need.
Easy claims process
Accidents can happen, so when something does go wrong you can rest easy knowing our team is on hand to make the claims process as quick and stress free as possible.
No mid-term fees, ever
We don’t charge any mid-term fees at all during the life of your policy – so there are no hidden fees following any changes you might need to make.
How insurance for subcontractors works
Examples of Subcontractor Insurance in action
Subcontractor injures member of the public
A subcontractor working on a bona fide basis for a main contractor is carrying out work at height on a building site. While working on the site one of the subcontractor employees accidentally drops a brick which happens to land on a member of the public. With a subcontractor policy in place the subcontractor firm in question should be covered for the impending claim for compensation, medical and legal expenses and other necessary costs incurred.
Other types of Tradesmen Insurance we can source
Get Business Insurance off your to do list
Help protect and grow your business with tailor made business insurance through The Insurance Octopus
Insurance Know How Making business insurance easier to understand
The ultimate small business checklist to help protect against cyber threats
Cyber threats are heard about more and more in the news with many attacks affecting larger businesses. However...
The top 10 Cyber Insurance claim types
Cyber insurance claims are becoming more and more common with each passing year. As business grows more depend...
How much does cyber insurance cost?
Cyber insurance, which covers your business against the effects of a serious cyber incident, is not an “off ...
Get to grips with Under-insurance & The Insurance Act
Inadequate cover presents a great risk to businesses – help ensure your cover is more than adequate by u...
