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Contractors’ All Risks and Contract Works Insurance
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Contractors’ All Risks and contract works insurance are terms used for cover focused on physical work in progress and related project property. Depending on the arrangement, separate sections may be considered for materials, temporary works, owned plant, hired-in plant or other exposures.
The name “all risks” does not mean every event, item or circumstance is covered. Scope, exclusions, excesses, security conditions and insured parties depend on the wording and schedule.
What should be checked
| Exposure | Questions for the review |
|---|---|
| Work in progress | What is being built, altered or installed, and what is the maximum value exposed at one location? |
| Materials | Are materials on site, stored elsewhere or in transit, and who is responsible for them? |
| Temporary works | Are scaffolding, hoardings, formwork, site huts or similar items included and correctly valued? |
| Existing structures | Is work taking place within or next to an existing building, and who insures that property? |
| Owned and hired plant | What equipment is used, what do hire agreements require, and what values, security and continuing charges apply? |
| Defective work or design | How does the wording treat defective parts, resultant damage and design responsibility? |
| Completion | When does responsibility end, and what happens during a maintenance or defects period? |
The table is a preparation aid, not a statement that each item will be insured.
Annual programme or single project?
An annual contract-works section may be considered by contractors carrying out a continuing programme of work. The review usually needs turnover, maximum contract value, concurrent exposure, project types, duration and territorial scope.
A single-project arrangement may be considered where one named development has its own duration, parties, financing or contract requirements. For wider recurring business risks, use the annual combined programme page.
CAR, public liability and professional indemnity
- CAR or contract works: physical works and related property exposures described in the policy.
- Public liability: legal liability for injury to third parties or damage to their property.
- Professional indemnity: civil liability arising from professional services, design or advice, subject to the wording.
These sections answer different questions and should not be treated as interchangeable. Read the PL, PI and CAR comparison for a fuller overview.
Information to prepare
- Business activities and trade descriptions
- Annual turnover and contract-works turnover
- Maximum contract value and concurrent exposure
- New build, refurbishment, extension or installation split
- Locations, start dates and completion dates
- Materials in transit or away from site
- Temporary works, site huts, tools and plant
- Subcontractor roles and arrangements
- Higher-risk work methods and contract clauses
- Claims history and risk controls
Frequently asked questions
Does public liability cover damaged work in progress?
Public liability is intended for legal liability to third parties. It should not be assumed to insure the contractor’s own work in progress or materials.
Does CAR automatically include plant and tools?
No. Product structures differ. Owned plant, hired-in plant, tools and continuing hire charges may be separate sections with their own limits and conditions.
Are existing structures covered during refurbishment?
Do not assume they are. Responsibility can depend on the contract, property insurance arrangements, insured parties and available project wording. See the contract requirements guide.
Does CAR cover defective workmanship?
Defects provisions vary materially. A wording may distinguish the defective part from resulting physical damage and may apply specific exclusions.