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QUICK INSURANCE CHECKLIST FOR SMALL BUILDERS & SUBS
Use This Checklist to Avoid Common Gaps in Contractor Cover
Many small builders and subcontractors pick up insurance piecemeal over time. This checklist helps you step back and ask: do I have the right types of cover, at the right limits, with the right information ready for clients, main contractors and insurers?
1. Core Insurance Covers – Have You Got These in Place?
Start by checking whether you have the main contractor insurance covers arranged and in force.
Liability & Legal Requirements
- Public Liability Insurance – with a limit that matches your contracts.
- Employers’ Liability Insurance – if you have employees or labour-only subs.
- Products / Completed Operations – for work you’ve already finished.
- Contractual Liability Extensions – if contracts transfer extra obligations.
Works, Tools & Vehicles
- Contract Works / Contractors All Risks – the project and materials.
- Hired-In Plant Insurance – to cover hire charges and damage.
- Own Plant & Machinery – diggers, mixers, access equipment etc.
- Tools & Portable Equipment – insured at realistic replacement values.
- Commercial Vehicle / Van Insurance – correctly rated for business use.
2. Limits, Trades & Activities – Does Your Policy Match What You Actually Do?
Insurers and main contractors will expect your policy to reflect your real activities and risk profile.
Limits & Sums Insured
- Public liability limit meets or exceeds client / site requirements.
- Employers’ liability meets UK legal requirements (normally £10m).
- Contract works sum insured reflects realistic contract values.
- Tools and plant limits sufficient for worst-case theft scenario.
- High limits considered for large or high-risk projects.
Trades, Height & Depth
- All trades and activities correctly declared (e.g. roofing, groundwork).
- Maximum working height accurately declared (ladders, scaffolding, MEWPs).
- Excavation depth disclosed where applicable.
- Hot works (blow torches, grinders etc.) clearly described.
- Any structural alterations / underpinning disclosed to insurers.
3. Subcontractors, Labour & People – Are You Covered for Everyone on Site?
Make sure the way you use labour-only and bona fide subcontractors is correctly insured.
Labour-Only Subcontractors (LOSC)
- Counted in your wage roll and employee numbers.
- Included under your Employers’ Liability cover.
- Supervised and controlled by you on site.
- Using your tools and equipment.
Bona Fide Subcontractors (BFSC)
- Hold their own public liability (and EL where required).
- Provide up-to-date insurance certificates and limits.
- Carry limits at least equal to your own where possible.
- Covered under your PL policy only where wordings allow.
- Properly vetted and records kept of checks carried out.
4. Documents & Renewal – Are Your Records Ready for Clients and Insurers?
Good paperwork makes site access, tenders and renewals much smoother.
Documents to Keep Handy
- Current insurance certificates and schedules for all policies.
- Proof of EL cover where employees or LOSC are used.
- Subcontractor insurance certificates and checks.
- Health & safety policy and RAMS templates.
- Method statements for higher-risk tasks (e.g. roofing, hot works).
Before Renewal / Quoting
- Update turnover and wage roll forecasts for the coming year.
- Review any new trades, services or higher-risk work.
- Check if contract values or project sizes are increasing.
- Gather claims experience and details of improvements made.
- Check if clients or main contractors now demand higher limits.
How Insure24 Can Help with Your Contractors’ Insurance Checklist
- Review your existing policies against this checklist.
- Highlight gaps or overlaps in cover for small builders and subs.
- Recommend suitable limits for PL, EL, contract works and tools.
- Help structure cover as a simple builders’ combined/package policy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What insurance does a small builder really need as a minimum?
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How often should I review my contractor insurance cover?
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What happens if my policy doesn’t reflect what I actually do?
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Do I need separate policies if I’m both a builder and a subcontractor?
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Can Insure24 help me go through this checklist step by step?
Related Covers
Checklist pages work best when they guide firms into the right contract, liability and plant-cover pages. These links keep planning guidance focused on the strongest construction insurance destinations.