Glazier Insurance (UK): Glass Breakage, Installation Risks & Construction Cover Explained

Glaziers face a different risk profile to “general builders”

Glaziers work with fragile, high-value materials, at height, and often on live sites with multiple trades. One mistake can mean expensive replacement glass, delays, injury claims, or damage to a client’s property. That’s why “glazier insurance” is usually a tailored mix of construction covers rather than a single policy.

This guide breaks down the key risks (especially glass breakage and installation liabilities), the insurance options that typically protect you, and what to look for when you’re quoting cover in the UK.

What is glazier insurance?

Glazier insurance is a package of policies designed for businesses that:

• Supply and install glass (windows, doors, shopfronts, balustrades)

• Fit double glazing and sealed units

• Install mirrors, splashbacks, and glass partitions

• Carry out glazing repairs and emergency call-outs

• Work on domestic, commercial, and construction sites

Most glaziers need a combination of:

• Public liability insurance

• Employers’ liability insurance (if you employ anyone)

• Contractors’ all risks (CAR) / contract works

• Tools and plant cover

• Commercial vehicle insurance

• Professional indemnity (where design/spec advice is given)

• Product liability (often included with public liability)

The biggest glazier risks (and why insurers care)

1) Glass breakage and damage in transit

Glass is unforgiving. A minor knock can crack a pane, and a breakage can create immediate safety hazards.

Common scenarios:

• A sealed unit cracks during loading or unloading

• Glass breaks in the van due to poor racking or sudden braking

• A pane is damaged on site before installation is complete

• A shopfront is vandalised overnight while you’re mid-project

Insurance angle:

• Goods in transit can help with glass you’re carrying.

• Contract works can cover materials on site (including glass) depending on policy terms.

• Tools/plant won’t cover glass, but may cover the equipment used to handle it.

2) Installation risks (the “you touched it last” problem)

Glazing installation is often the last visible trade on a project. If something goes wrong after handover—water ingress, a door not closing properly, a balustrade issue—glaziers can be blamed even when the root cause is elsewhere.

Typical claims:

• Water ingress due to incorrect sealing

• Scratched glass discovered after other trades have worked nearby

• Incorrect specification or wrong glass type fitted

• Failure of fixings leading to property damage or injury

Insurance angle:

• Public liability covers injury/property damage to third parties.

• Professional indemnity may be needed if you advised on specification, measurements, or compliance.

• Contract works can cover accidental damage during the build phase.

3) Working at height and falling objects

Glaziers regularly work on ladders, scaffolds, MEWPs, and around openings. Dropped tools or glass can cause severe injury.

Insurance angle:

• Public liability for third-party injury/damage.

• Employers’ liability for employee injury claims.

• Risk management (RAMS, training, PPE) can materially affect premiums.

4) Injury from glass handling

Cuts and lacerations are common. Serious incidents can involve tendon damage or eye injuries.

Insurance angle:

• Employers’ liability is a legal requirement if you employ staff.

• Consider personal accident cover if you’re a sole trader and want income protection.

5) Damage to client property

Glaziers work inside finished environments—homes, offices, retail units.

Examples:

• Damaging flooring while moving panes

• Breaking tiles during splashback installation

• Cracking a frame or surrounding brickwork

Insurance angle:

• Public liability is the core protection here.

6) Contractual requirements and site rules

Main contractors and commercial clients often require:

• Specific liability limits (e.g., £2m/£5m/£10m)

• Evidence of employers’ liability

• Contractors’ all risks for the value of the works

• “Hot works” controls (less common for glaziers, but can apply)

• Height restrictions or exclusions

Insurance angle:

• You need your policy schedule and wording to match contract requirements.

Core covers for glaziers (what they do and what to watch)

Public liability insurance (PL)

What it covers: Claims from third parties for injury or property damage arising from your work.

For glaziers, PL is often used for:

• A member of the public injured by broken glass

• Damage to a customer’s property during installation

• A pane falling and damaging a vehicle or shopfront

Typical limits: £1m, £2m, £5m, £10m.

Watch-outs:

• Height limits (some policies restrict work above a certain height)

• Heat work exclusions (check if you use grinders or other equipment that could spark)

• Care, custody and control (CCC) clauses—important where you’re working on client property

Product liability (often included)

What it covers: Injury or damage caused by products you supply.

Examples:

• A supplied glass panel fails and causes injury

• A fitted unit causes damage due to a defect

Watch-outs:

• Whether “supply only” work is included

• Whether imported products are treated differently

Employers’ liability insurance (EL)

Legal requirement: In most cases, yes—if you employ anyone (including labour-only subcontractors in many situations).

What it covers: Employee injury/illness claims arising from their work.

Typical limit: £10m is standard in the UK.

Watch-outs:

• Labour-only subcontractors may be treated as employees for insurance purposes

• Ensure your business description matches your actual work (glazing, shopfronts, balustrades, etc.)

Contractors’ all risks (CAR) / contract works

This is one of the most misunderstood covers in construction.

What it covers: Accidental loss or damage to the works in progress, including materials on site, often including glass waiting to be installed.

For glaziers, this can help when:

• Glass is damaged on site before completion

• Installed glass is accidentally damaged during the build phase

• Materials are stolen from a site compound

Watch-outs:

• Whether the policy covers “own works” only or includes materials you’re responsible for

• Theft conditions (e.g., locked compound, alarms, security requirements)

• The maximum value you can have on any one site

• Defective workmanship exclusions (insurance usually covers sudden accidental damage, not the cost of redoing poor work)

Tools and plant cover

What it covers: Theft or damage to tools and equipment.

Glazier-specific items might include:

• Glass lifters and suction cups

• Cutting tools and specialist measuring equipment

• Site radios, lasers, and power tools

Watch-outs:

• Overnight theft from vehicles is commonly restricted unless the van meets security conditions

• Single item limits (important for specialist lifters)

Commercial vehicle insurance (vans)

Glaziers often carry high-value, fragile loads.

What it covers: Your vehicle and liability on the road.

Add-ons to consider:

• Goods in transit for glass and materials

• Tool cover (sometimes separate)

• Courtesy van and downtime cover if a vehicle is off the road

Professional indemnity (PI)

Not every glazier needs PI—but many do more than “fit what’s supplied.”

PI is relevant if you:

• Provide measurements and specification

• Advise on safety glass requirements

• Recommend systems for balustrades or commercial partitions

• Work to building regs or performance standards

What it covers: Financial loss claims arising from negligent advice, design, or specification.

Watch-outs:

• PI claims can arise months after completion (check retroactive dates and run-off cover)

Business interruption (BI)

If a fire, flood, or major theft stops you trading, BI can help cover lost gross profit and ongoing costs.

This can be particularly relevant if:

• You rely on a workshop

• You hold stock (sealed units, fittings, frames)

Does “glass breakage insurance” exist?

Sometimes insurers offer “glass cover” as part of a commercial property policy (for premises) or as a specialist extension. For glaziers, the bigger question is usually:

• Is the glass your stock?

• Is it in transit?

• Is it on site as contract works?

• Is it installed and handed over?

Different policies respond at different stages. A good broker will map your workflow and make sure there are no gaps.

Common exclusions and gaps that catch glaziers out

Defective workmanship vs. resulting damage

Most policies won’t pay to redo poor workmanship. But they may cover the resulting sudden damage.

Example:

• If a unit is incorrectly installed and later falls, the policy may cover injury/property damage to others, but not necessarily the cost of replacing your own faulty work.

Height and hazardous locations

If you do high-level glazing, shopfronts, or work on large commercial sites, you must disclose it. Some policies restrict:

• Work above a set height

• Work on certain structures

• Work on high-risk premises

Working away from the UK

If you do projects overseas, you need territorial limits that match.

Subcontracting and labour-only staff

Misclassifying subcontractors is a common compliance issue. It can also create claim disputes.

Glass in transit and storage

If you assume your liability policy covers glass you’re carrying, you can be disappointed. Goods in transit is often separate.

What limits should a glazier choose?

There’s no one-size-fits-all, but here’s a practical way to think about it:

• Public liability: Many domestic installers choose £2m; commercial contracts often require £5m or £10m.

• Contract works: Set to your maximum contract value and the maximum materials you’ll have on site at once.

• Tools: Total replacement cost of your tools, plus any single high-value items.

• PI: If you specify or advise, consider a limit that reflects the worst-case cost of rectification and delay.

If you regularly install large panes, shopfront systems, or balustrades, your “worst day” can be expensive.

Risk management tips that can reduce claims (and sometimes premiums)

Insurers like evidence that you take glass handling seriously. Practical steps include:

• Documented RAMS for glazing and manual handling

• Training records (including MEWP, working at height)

• Proper glass racking in vehicles and secure storage

• Two-person lifts and the right lifting aids for large panes

• Site protection measures (barriers, signage, exclusion zones)

• Photo evidence before and after installation (helps with “scratched after we left” disputes)

• Clear handover notes and client sign-off

Who needs glazier insurance?

You’ll usually want tailored cover if you are:

• A self-employed glazier doing repairs and installs

• A glazing contractor working on construction sites

• A shopfront and commercial glazing specialist

• A business supplying and fitting mirrors, partitions, or balustrades

• A company with employees, apprentices, or labour-only subcontractors

How to get an accurate quote (what insurers will ask)

To quote glazier insurance properly, you’ll typically need:

• Annual turnover and split between domestic/commercial

• Number of employees and subcontractors

• Typical contract values and maximum value on any one site

• Type of work (windows, shopfronts, balustrades, roof glazing)

• Work at height details and access methods

• Claims history

• Tool values and security arrangements

• Vehicle details and where vans are kept overnight

The clearer your description, the fewer surprises at claim time.

Quick FAQ: glazier insurance

Does public liability cover broken glass I’m installing?

Public liability usually covers injury or third-party property damage caused by your work. It does not automatically cover the cost of replacing your own damaged materials. That’s where contract works or goods in transit may apply.

Do I need employers’ liability if I only use subcontractors?

Often yes—especially if you use labour-only subcontractors. Many insurers treat them as employees for EL purposes.

Is contractors’ all risks worth it for small jobs?

If you carry expensive glass and work on sites where damage or theft is possible, contract works can be valuable even for smaller contractors.

What if I measure up and order the glass?

If you provide measurements/specification and something is wrong, that can trigger a financial loss claim. Professional indemnity may be appropriate.

Can I cover tools left in my van overnight?

Sometimes, but it depends on security requirements (locks, alarms, tracking, where the van is kept). Always check the conditions.

Final thoughts

Glaziers sit at the intersection of construction risk and specialist materials. The right insurance isn’t just about “having public liability”—it’s about covering the full workflow: from glass in transit, to materials on site, to installation liabilities, and the advice you may give.

If you want, tell me what type of glazing you do (domestic windows, shopfronts, balustrades, repairs) and your typical contract size, and I’ll tailor a version that matches your ideal customer and the cover levels you usually quote.