Working in construction means facing risks every day – whether it’s accidental damage on site, injuries, or legal claims. Builders insurance gives you the peace of mind to focus on your work, knowing you’re protected. It covers you, your team, your tools, and your clients, and helps you meet legal obligations while protecting your reputation.
You might be wondering if it’s illegal for a builder not to have insurance. If you employ staff, you’re legally required to have employers’ liability insurance. While other covers, such as public liability, aren’t mandatory by law, they are crucial for reducing financial risk and positioning yourself as a trusted contractor. Without adequate insurance, a large claim could lead to significant financial loss or even bankruptcy for your business.
Every building firm is different. We help you tailor your insurance to match the way you work. We specialise in arranging insurance for the construction industry and have access to many insurers who can provide these covers within one easy to manage insurance package.
Protects you if a client or member of the public is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your work.
A legal requirement if you employ staff, including temps or labour-only subcontractors. This cover protects your business against claims from employees injured or made ill through work.
Covers claims from clients for financial loss due to your professional advice or design work. Crucial for builders.
Also known as contract works insurance, this covers ongoing projects, materials, and temporary structures. It’s especially useful for larger or longer-term builds.
This cover helps you replace stolen or damaged tools, whether they’re on site, in your van, or at your premises.
If you're unable to work due to an injury, this cover helps replace your income. It's particularly valuable for sole traders or self-employed builders.
Protect your work vehicles and the tools inside them with motor and van cover.
Provides support with legal costs arising from disputes, contract issues, or tax investigations.
If you work from a business premises like your own office, this cover protects your building and its contents.
Complete our short form to start your business insurance quote. We’ll then call you at a time that’s convenient for you to discuss your requirements and provide an insurance quote
Our advisors are just a phone call away. On average, we answer calls within 90 seconds. Lines open Monday to Friday 9:00am–5:00pm
Accidents can happen, even when you take every precaution. A passerby might trip over your tools, or falling debris could damage a nearby vehicle. Builders public liability insurance helps cover the cost of compensation, legal fees, and any associated expenses, protecting your business from serious financial losses.
This cover is essential for tradespeople working in public areas. In fact, many clients and main contractors mandate public liability insurance as a prerequisite, meaning you could miss out on work without it in place.
Whether you’re a sole trader or run a larger construction firm, we can tailor a policy to suit your trade. We arrange tailored builders insurance for a wide range of trades, including:
Construction
Contractors
Groundworkers
Joiners and carpenters
Roofers
Scaffolders
Property developers
Electricians
Plumbers
Cladding contractors
Civil engineers
Glazing companies
Bricklayers
Flooring Contractors
And more…
Yes. Many of our clients are sole traders who need public liability, tools, and accident cover to keep working confidently. Even if you don’t have employees, it’s important to stay protected against the costs of injury claims, theft, or unexpected downtime.
As a builder, either a sole trader or owner of a building company you should always have comprehensive builders insurance in place, not just when you’re actively on a job. This ensures you and your business are always protected. Annual policies are standard, and it’s a good practice to review that your policy still meets your needs at renewal. It’s also important to note that if any changes to your business occur, for example you employ more staff or purchase new tools you’ll need to let your broker or insurer know, so they can adjust your policy accordingly to ensure you remain fully protected. Keep in mind most clients expect you to have public liability cover as a minimum before setting foot on site. Having insurance in place from day one helps you stay compliant and protected.
It’s important to maintain continuous cover. A tailored builders insurance package protects your business at all times, not just while you’re on a job. It can cover claims related to completed work, protect your employees, and insure your tools, vehicles, and equipment whether they’re in use or in storage.
We’ve supported builders and tradespeople for years. Our expert brokers understand the risks you face on site and the protection you need to keep working confidently. Whether you’re a sole trader or managing multiple teams across sites, we’re here to make insurance simple and stress-free. With Premierline, you’ll benefit from:
Expert advice from construction-trained insurance brokers
A wide panel of trusted UK insurers who specialise in construction risks
Flexible quotes tailored to your trade and business size
UK-based support online or over the phone, whenever you need it
Award-winning service, trusted by hundreds of builders and contractors
Ongoing support to adjust your policy as your business evolves
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The cost of your builders insurance depends on:
The best way to understand the cost for your business is to get a personalised quote, tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for basic protection or a more comprehensive policy, we’ll help you find a solution that fits your budget and your requirements.
Our customer reviews and testimonials prove just how easy it is to take out builders insurance with us.
“Amazing service as usual. They provided me a competitive insurance premium for another year and made it simple for me to renew my insurance. Easy to contact and speak to a knowledgeable person on the phone. I've already recommended Premierline to friends.”
Whether you’re ready to get covered or just want to explore your options, we’re here to help. To start the quoting process, our expert brokers will ask you for some details, including:
We’ll use this information along with additional insights to advise on the best cover options for your business and start providing you with the best quotes available.
Start a quote online, request a callback, or speak to one of our UK-based advisors today.
At minimum: public liability, employers’ liability (if applicable), tools cover, and contract works insurance. Professional Indemnity and personal accident cover may also be necessary depending on your services.
If you employ staff, you must have employers’ liability insurance. Other covers, like public liability, aren’t legally required but are strongly recommended. If you have a van or other vehicle used as part of your business it’s also a legal requirement to have the right insurance in place for that. You’ll need specific commercial vehicle insurance in place if your van is used as part of your business operations.
Yes, short-term insurance is available in some cases. Speak to us to explore your options.
Once you’ve spoken to our expert brokers, our team can help organise your insurance policy on the same day – so you don’t have to wait to get comprehensive builders cover in place.
Yes, we offer monthly direct debit payment options through our premium finance partner. Or, you can pay annually.
Any claims you make through your builders insurance policy are typically handled through your chosen insurance provider. However, our broker team is always on hand to help guide you through the process.
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