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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?
At minimum, most small builders will need public liability insurance and,
where they have employees or labour-only subcontractors, employers’ liability
insurance. From there, contract works, tools and plant cover are strongly
recommended.
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How often should I review my contractor insurance cover?
At least annually at renewal, but also whenever your business changes –
for example, if you take on larger contracts, new trades, more staff or
higher-risk work such as roofing or basement excavations.
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What happens if my policy doesn’t reflect what I actually do?
If your declared trades, heights, depths or activities are inaccurate,
insurers may reduce or even refuse a claim. Keeping your policy aligned
with your real work is critical – this checklist is designed to help with that.
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Do I need separate policies if I’m both a builder and a subcontractor?
Not usually – one well-structured contractors’ policy can often cover both
roles, as long as your activities and turnover splits are properly declared.
We can help make sure your policy reflects how you actually work.
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Can Insure24 help me go through this checklist step by step?
Yes. We can go through each area of the checklist with you, review your
existing cover, and recommend a simple, combined solution that fits your
business – whether you’re a sole trader, small builder or growing contractor.
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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.