Scaffolding is one of the most high-risk trades in construction. You’re working at height, often in busy public areas, with heavy materials, tight deadlines, and multiple contractors sharing the same site. One mistake, one storm, one unsecured board, or one misunderstanding over who’s responsible can turn into a serious injury, major property damage, or a claim that threatens your business.
That’s why scaffolding insurance isn’t a “nice to have”. It’s the safety net that helps protect your cashflow, contracts, reputation, and ability to keep trading when something goes wrong.
In this guide, we’ll break down what scaffolding insurance typically includes, what to watch out for in the fine print, and how to build a construction insurance package that actually matches the risks scaffolders face in the UK.
“Scaffolding insurance” isn’t usually one single policy. It’s a bundle of construction insurance covers designed for scaffolding contractors and scaffold hire/erection businesses.
A typical scaffolding insurance package may include:
Public liability insurance
Employers’ liability insurance
Contractors’ all risks (CAR) / contract works insurance
Plant, tools and equipment cover
Hired-in plant cover
Professional indemnity (in some cases)
Commercial vehicle insurance
Personal accident cover
Legal expenses cover
The right mix depends on how you operate: domestic vs commercial sites, short-term vs long-term projects, whether you design scaffolds, whether you use subcontract labour, and whether you hire out scaffolding equipment.
Insurers often treat scaffolding as a higher-hazard trade because the consequences of failure can be severe.
Common scaffolding claim triggers include:
Falls from height (workers, other trades, or members of the public)
Dropped objects (boards, fittings, tools)
Scaffold collapse or partial failure
Damage to buildings (roof tiles, windows, render, gutters)
Damage to neighbouring property (especially in tight streets)
Injury claims linked to access/egress issues
Weather-related incidents (high winds, storms)
Theft of fittings, boards, or tools
Vehicle incidents while transporting materials
Even when you’ve done everything right, claims can still happen because scaffolding is often blamed first when access equipment is involved.
Public liability insurance is usually the foundation of scaffolding insurance. It can help cover compensation and legal costs if your business is held responsible for injury to a third party or damage to third-party property.
Injury to members of the public (e.g., a pedestrian hit by a falling fitting)
Injury to other contractors not employed by you
Damage to a client’s property (e.g., cracked tiles during erection)
Damage to neighbouring property (e.g., scaffold strikes a parked car)
Legal defence costs (even if the claim is disputed)
Many scaffolding contracts require:
£2 million public liability (common for smaller jobs)
£5 million public liability (very common on commercial sites)
£10 million public liability (often required for larger contractors, councils, or infrastructure projects)
The “right” limit isn’t just about what you can afford—it’s about the realistic worst-case scenario. A serious injury claim can exceed £5m, especially if there’s long-term care involved.
When arranging scaffolding public liability, pay close attention to:
Height limits (some policies restrict work above a certain height)
Work type restrictions (e.g., chimney scaffolds, temporary roofs, cantilever scaffolds)
Exclusions for heat work, asbestos, or specific site types
Conditions around inspections and handover certificates
Subcontractor labour rules (bona fide vs labour-only)
Use of non-standard scaffolding systems
If your policy doesn’t match your real-world work, you can end up uninsured when you need it most.
If you employ anyone—even part-time, temporary, or apprentice staff—you’ll typically need employers’ liability insurance. In the UK, it’s a legal requirement for most employers.
Employers’ liability can help cover compensation and legal costs if an employee is injured or becomes ill due to their work.
For scaffolders, this could include:
Falls from height
Manual handling injuries
Impact injuries from dropped materials
Long-term issues linked to repetitive strain
Claims arising from inadequate PPE or training allegations
Most policies provide £10 million as standard, and many contracts expect to see that.
A common pitfall in construction insurance is how subcontractors are treated. If you use labour-only subcontractors, they may be treated as employees for insurance purposes. If you use bona fide subcontractors, they may need their own insurance.
Your insurer needs the full picture:
How many subcontractors you use
Whether they work under your direction
Whether they provide their own tools and insurance
Whether you issue RAMS and supervise their work
Contract works insurance (often part of a Contractors’ All Risks policy) can cover the work in progress on a site—materials, temporary works, and sometimes scaffolding structures—against events like fire, flood, storm, vandalism, or theft.
For scaffolders, this can be important where:
You’re responsible for the scaffold structure while it’s erected
You store materials on site
You’re working on longer projects where weather risk increases
Damage to erected scaffolding due to insured events
Theft of materials from site (subject to conditions)
Damage during transit (sometimes optional)
Contract works policies can be very condition-heavy. Common requirements include:
Security standards (locked compounds, alarms, CCTV)
Maximum single item limits
Overnight storage rules
Evidence of forcible and violent entry for theft claims
Site-specific exclusions (e.g., flood zones)
Scaffolding businesses often carry significant value in:
Tools (power tools, hand tools)
Scaffold fittings and boards
Ladders, towers, and access equipment
Small plant (generators, compressors)
Tools and plant cover can help protect against:
Theft
Accidental damage
Fire and flood
Vandalism
If you hire equipment (e.g., telehandlers, lifts, generators), hired-in plant cover can protect you if you’re responsible for loss or damage while it’s in your care.
This matters because hire companies often charge for repairs, replacement, and loss of hire—and those costs can escalate quickly.
Many scaffolders assume PI is only for architects and engineers. But if you provide design, specification, or advice—formally or informally—you may be exposed to professional negligence allegations.
You may want to consider PI if you:
Design scaffolding structures
Provide calculations or drawings
Advise on load limits or access methods
Sign off on designs or temporary works
PI can help cover claims arising from errors in professional services, including legal defence costs.
Transport is a big part of scaffolding operations. Vans, pickups, and lorries are constantly on the move, often carrying heavy materials.
Commercial vehicle insurance can be arranged for:
Single vehicles
Fleets
Mixed vehicle types
Consider whether you need:
Goods in transit cover (for materials you carry)
Cover for trailers
Any driver vs named driver policies
Cover for tools left in vehicles (often limited)
Also check whether your policy reflects your real use: business use, carriage of own goods, and the correct vehicle weights.
If you’re self-employed or run a small scaffolding firm, an injury can stop income overnight.
Personal accident cover can provide a fixed benefit if you’re injured and can’t work, or in the event of serious injury.
This isn’t a replacement for liability insurance—it’s about protecting your personal finances and keeping the business stable during recovery.
Scaffolding businesses can face disputes over:
Non-payment
Contract terms and variations
Allegations of defective work
Site delays and access issues
Commercial legal expenses cover can help with legal costs for certain disputes (subject to policy terms). It can be especially useful when you need to pursue unpaid invoices.
Insurance pricing is based on risk. For scaffolders, insurers typically look at:
Turnover and projected turnover
Wage roll (especially for employers’ liability)
Number of employees and subcontractors
Claims history
Types of scaffolding (domestic, commercial, industrial)
Maximum working height
Use of temporary roofs, cantilever scaffolds, suspended scaffolds
Geographic area and typical site environments
Risk management: training, inspections, handover processes
Accreditations and memberships
If you can demonstrate strong controls—inspection records, training, documented RAMS, and good housekeeping—you can often access better terms.
Scaffolding insurance can fail you when the policy doesn’t match your operations. Common pitfalls include:
Incorrect trade description (e.g., listed as “general construction”)
Height restrictions not disclosed
Not declaring temporary roofs or specialist scaffolds
Misclassification of subcontractors
Inadequate security for theft claims
Working outside the UK when the policy is UK-only
Contractual liability issues (agreeing to take on liabilities your policy won’t cover)
A good rule: if it’s unusual, high-risk, or contract-specific, disclose it early.
Insurers like well-run scaffolding firms. Beyond safety, these steps can reduce claims and strengthen your position if a claim occurs:
Keep inspection logs and handover certificates organised
Use clear signage and exclusion zones
Secure materials properly, especially in public areas
Document weather checks and tie patterns
Train teams on dropped object prevention
Maintain vehicles and loading procedures
Vet subcontractors and keep copies of their insurance
Use written contracts and confirm scope changes
Risk management doesn’t just reduce accidents—it reduces disputes.
When comparing policies, don’t just compare price. Compare:
The exact activities covered (including specialist scaffolds)
The height limit and any endorsements
The public liability limit and excess
Employers’ liability terms and wage roll basis
Contract works and plant limits
Theft conditions and security requirements
Whether cover includes labour-only subcontractors
Claims handling support and construction expertise
If you’re tendering for larger contracts, it’s also worth checking contract requirements early so you’re not scrambling to amend cover at the last minute.
Public liability isn’t legally required in the same way as employers’ liability, but it’s often contractually required and strongly recommended. Employers’ liability is a legal requirement for most businesses with employees.
Many commercial sites require £5m, and some require £10m. The right level depends on your contract requirements and worst-case exposure.
Usually not. Public liability is for third-party injury or property damage. Damage to your own scaffold may fall under contract works, plant/equipment cover, or a specialist policy.
It depends on whether they are labour-only or bona fide subcontractors and how your policy is set up. Always disclose your subcontractor arrangements.
Scaffolding is inherently work at height, but policies may still include height limits or restrictions for certain scaffold types. Make sure your maximum working height and scaffold types are declared.
Yes, but insurers will look closely at experience, qualifications, and risk controls. A clear description of your work and safety processes helps.
Some policies cover temporary roofs, others exclude them or require them to be declared. If you install temporary roofs, disclose it.
Commonly requested documents include your certificate of insurance, public liability limit, employers’ liability certificate, and sometimes evidence of contract works/plant cover.
If you’re a scaffolding contractor and you want insurance that matches your real-world risks—heights, public exposure, subcontractors, specialist scaffolds, and contract requirements—get in touch for a tailored quote.
At Insure24, we help UK construction businesses arrange scaffolding insurance and wider construction insurance packages designed around how you actually operate.
Call 0330 127 2333 or request a quote online via insure24.co.uk.
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