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We compare quotes from leading UK construction insurers
THREE CORE COVERS - BUT VERY DIFFERENT PURPOSES
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PUBLIC LIABILITY (PL)
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PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY (PI)
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CONTRACTORS ALL RISK (CAR)
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RISK MANAGEMENT
What’s the Difference Between PL, PI and CAR Insurance?
Public Liability, Professional Indemnity and Contractors All Risk insurance each protect construction businesses in different ways. Knowing which one you need - and when - is essential for compliance, contract requirements and financial protection.
This guide explains the differences in simple terms, helping contractors, trades, developers and consultants choose the right combination of cover.
Public Liability Insurance - What Does It Cover?
Protection if your work causes injury or property damage to others.
- Injury to members of the public
- Accidental damage to a client’s property
- Damage caused by subcontractors (depending on policy)
- Trip, slip or fall claims on-site
- Use of heat tools, working at height & general hazards
- Legal defence & compensation costs
Professional Indemnity Insurance - What Does It Cover?
- Incorrect design, plans or specifications
- Professional advice or consultancy errors
- Negligence causing financial loss
- Surveying, engineering or architectural mistakes
- Legal defence costs & settlements
Contractors All Risk (CAR) - What Does It Cover?
- Damage to works-in-progress
- Damage to materials on-site
- Damage to temporary buildings, fencing & site huts
- Owned & hired-in plant, tools & machinery
- Theft, fire, flood, storm & accidental damage
- Continuing hire charges (for hired-in plant)
PL vs PI vs CAR - Simple Comparison
- PL = covers injury or property damage to others
- PI = covers professional mistakes causing financial loss
- CAR = covers building works, materials & plant
- Many contractors require all three types of cover
- Most construction contracts and main contractors require PI & CAR for higher-risk work
“We didn’t know the difference between PI, PL and CAR - Insure24 explained it clearly and made sure we had the right cover for each project.”
Michael R., Building ContractorFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Do I need all three types of insurance?
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Is Professional Indemnity only for architects and engineers?
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Does CAR include tools and plant?
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Is Public Liability enough for most builders?
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Do main contractors require PI or CAR from subcontractors?
Related Covers
Comparison pages should route users into the right liability, PI and works pages instead of forcing one page to answer every intent. These links keep construction cover-comparison traffic on related pages.