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A CHECKLIST THAT HELPS YOU TAKE OFF
Why an Electrical Manufacturing Insurance Checklist Matters
Electrical component and electronics manufacturing is a high-detail business. Your risks are rarely “generic”, and underwriting decisions are often driven by the practical specifics: what you manufacture, how you test, how you store stock, where you ship, how quickly you could recover after a loss, and what your customer contracts demand.
The purpose of this checklist is simple: help you present a clear, insurer-friendly picture of your operation, reduce the chance of underinsurance, and identify common gaps before they cause problems at claim time. It’s useful for new cover, renewals, tender responses, and when you have a change in risk (new premises, more stock, exports, new products, new machinery or new contracts).
Insure24 works with UK electrical manufacturers across the supply chain — passive components (resistors, capacitors, inductors), connectors, cable assemblies, PCB assembly, control panels, power electronics, instrumentation and specialist electrical products. Use the checklist below, then call us on 0330 127 2333 to build a suitable insurance programme.
Checklist: Quick Start (10 Minutes)
If you only have time for the essentials, start here. These items typically determine whether an insurer can quote quickly and accurately.
- Business summary — What you manufacture, who you supply, and whether you design/specify or manufacture to customer drawings.
- Turnover & territories — UK/EU/worldwide split; confirm if USA/Canada are involved (often changes underwriting position).
- Premises — Postcode, construction, years built (approx), occupancy, and whether you own/lease.
- Sums insured — Buildings (if applicable), contents/plant, stock/WIP (peak values), and critical high-value items.
- Business interruption — Estimated gross profit + a realistic indemnity period (often 12–24 months for manufacturing).
- Liability limits — Employers’ liability (usually statutory) and public/products liability limits required by contracts.
- Claims history — 3–5 years, including any near-miss incidents or material circumstances.
- Protections — Fire alarm, sprinklers (if any), intruder alarm/CCTV, housekeeping, electrical inspection and hot works controls.
Checklist: Business, Products & Process Detail
Insurers price manufacturing based on what can go wrong and how severe it could be. Clear product descriptions and end-market detail reduce uncertainty and help underwriters avoid “worst case assumptions”.
Products & End Markets
- List your main products (e.g., passive components, connectors, harnesses, PCBAs, power supplies, control panels, sensors)
- State where products are used (industrial, consumer, automotive, medical, rail, marine, aerospace, power/renewables)
- Confirm whether any supply is safety-critical or regulated (and what approvals customers require)
- Explain how products are sold (direct to OEM, via distributor, online, contract manufacturing, build-to-print)
- Provide a top-customer list (or customer concentration %) where significant
- Confirm typical batch sizes / volume vs bespoke jobs
Processes & Controls
- Describe key processes: soldering, crimping, coating, curing ovens, potting/resins, machining, test/inspection
- Identify any “hot works” exposure (welding, grinding) and confirm permit controls
- List hazardous materials (solvents, resins, flux, oils) and how they’re stored/managed
- Explain QA and testing (sampling levels, burn-in, environmental testing, third-party testing)
- Confirm traceability method (batch/lot records, serialisation where used, retention period)
- Outline supplier approval and incoming inspection routines
Checklist: Property, Plant, Tools, Stock & Work In Progress
Underinsurance is one of the most common problems in manufacturing claims. This section helps you set realistic sums insured and document what’s actually at risk.
Premises & Building Detail
- Full address and postcode for each site (factory, warehouse, office, storage units)
- Construction type (steel portal frame, brick, cladding type, roof type) and approximate year built
- Ownership/tenure (owned/leased) and landlord insurance responsibilities
- Any unoccupied areas, sub-let space, or non-manufacturing tenants on site
- Loading bay design, vehicle access, shutters, perimeter fencing and gate controls
- Flood history or nearby watercourses (if relevant)
Sums Insured: The Numbers That Matter
- Buildings — if you insure them, confirm a reinstatement-based figure (not market value)
- Contents — benches, racking, office equipment, fixtures, general contents
- Plant & machinery — production equipment, test equipment, extraction, compressors, ovens, calibration rigs
- Stock — raw materials + finished goods; identify peak seasonal/contract peaks
- Work in progress — WIP values can be overlooked; note average and peak
- Customers’ goods — if you hold customers’ property (consignment stock, tools, dies)
- Single item values — list any “single machine” values that exceed standard policy sub-limits
Protection & Loss Prevention
- Fire alarm type and monitoring arrangements; maintenance records
- Sprinklers or suppression systems (if any); last inspection date
- Electrical inspection programme (e.g., periodic fixed wiring checks) and corrective actions
- Housekeeping and waste storage arrangements (especially packaging load)
- Intruder alarm grade, police response (if applicable), CCTV and access control
- Stock storage controls (off-floor, racking, moisture control where necessary)
Extensions to Consider
- Theft cover and security conditions (avoid surprises at claim time)
- Escape of water and trace & access provisions
- Deterioration / spoilage where temperature control is critical (case-dependent)
- Engineering / equipment breakdown for sudden breakdown of insured plant
- Money cover and fraud options where needed
- Off-site storage, exhibitions, or mobile equipment (if relevant)
Checklist: Business Interruption (BI) & Downtime Planning
BI is the cover that protects your cash flow after a major incident. The biggest mistakes are (1) wrong gross profit, (2) too short an indemnity period, and (3) not thinking through “time to recover” in a manufacturing context.
Electrical manufacturing often has longer recovery timelines than expected because recovery isn’t just repairing a building. You may need to replace tooling, re-commission plant, re-qualify processes, rebuild QA documentation, source materials with lead times, and ramp production back to stable output.
BI Setup
- Confirm BI basis (gross profit / gross revenue / increased cost of working) that fits your accounts
- Estimate annual gross profit and seasonal peaks (don’t assume “flat” trading if you aren’t)
- Choose an indemnity period that reflects rebuild + ramp-up (often 12–24 months; sometimes longer)
- Identify critical bottlenecks (single machine, single test rig, compressor, extraction, specialist oven)
- Consider supplier dependency risks (contingent BI) where one supplier dominates
- Consider utilities dependency (power, air, water, IT/ERP) where a failure would stop output
Continuity Planning (Underwriters Like This)
- Can you outsource production temporarily? If yes, who and at what cost?
- Do you have alternative premises options (short-term lease, shared units, sister site)?
- Do you hold critical spares for key machines (compressor, extraction motors, control boards)?
- What is your maximum tolerable downtime before contracts are lost?
- How quickly can you re-qualify processes and provide customer evidence after a disruption?
- Do you have an “increased cost of working” plan (overtime, premium freight, extra shifts)?
Checklist: Liability (EL / PL / Products) + Contract Pressure
Electrical manufacturers can face liability risk from two directions: (1) injury/property damage caused by operations or products, and (2) commercial pressure and contractual claims when products fail tests or cause downtime. Insurance cannot cover every commercial dispute, but structuring the right liability cover and understanding contract terms can prevent nasty surprises.
Employers’ Liability (EL)
- Confirm employee count, use of agency/temporary labour, and any labour-only subcontracting
- Identify key hazards: machinery guarding, manual handling, solder fumes, chemicals, electrical work
- Confirm training, PPE, supervision and incident reporting processes
- If you have onsite visitors/contractors, confirm inductions and permit-to-work controls
Public & Products Liability
- Confirm typical liability limits required by customers (e.g., £2m / £5m / £10m)
- Confirm territories where products are supplied (UK / EU / worldwide) and whether USA/Canada are included
- Explain product use-case (consumer vs industrial vs safety-critical) and any regulated approvals
- Confirm whether you rebrand or supply “own brand” products
- Provide details of past product issues (even if resolved without claim) to avoid non-disclosure
Contract Checklist (Often Drives Insurance Limits)
- Do contracts include specific liability limits and require evidence (certificates)?
- Any requirements for “products completed operations”, “indemnity to principal”, or similar clauses?
- Any penalty/chargeback clauses for late delivery or quality issues?
- Any warranties/guarantees that exceed your standard terms and conditions?
- Do you have limitation of liability clauses in your own Ts&Cs and are they accepted?
Specialist Add-ons (Case Dependent)
- Professional Indemnity — if you design/specify, provide application engineering, or advise on integration
- Recall / Rectification — where available, for controlled withdrawal/repair/replace costs after an issue is found
- Product Guarantee / Warranty — only where specifically arranged; many standard policies exclude pure “performance” issues
- Cyber — where operational disruption (ERP/QA systems) could halt production and trigger downstream issues
- Legal expenses — for contract/legal disputes support (scope varies)
We thought we were “fully covered” until a contract asked for specific wording and higher limits. Insure24 used a simple checklist to spot the gaps, fix the BI numbers and get everything accepted by the customer.
Operations Director, UK Electrical Components ManufacturerChecklist: What to Send Insure24 (To Speed Up Quotes)
Underwriters quote faster when they have consistent documents and clear answers. These items reduce back-and-forth and help you secure the right cover and terms.
Core Documents
- Existing policy schedule(s) and wording (if currently insured)
- Last 3–5 years claims experience / loss runs (or a statement of no claims)
- Latest accounts or management figures (turnover, gross profit, wages) where available
- A simple stock/asset summary showing peak stock and major plant values
- Photos of premises (external + internal) including production areas and stock storage
- Fire risk assessment summary (if available) and alarm/sprinkler maintenance certificates
Helpful Extras (Often Improves Terms)
- Site plan or simple layout (production/stock/plant room locations)
- Electrical inspection and maintenance records for key installations
- Quality certification evidence (where relevant) and high-level QA/testing overview
- Business continuity notes (outsourcing options, alternative suppliers, critical spares)
- Copies of tender insurance clauses or contract requirements
- Details of any changes since last renewal (new products, exports, machinery, premises changes)
PROTECT YOURSELF
- Avoid underinsurance on buildings, stock, plant and business interruption
- Meet customer contract insurance requirements with the right limits and documentation
- Reduce gaps between property, BI, equipment breakdown and liability covers
- Improve insurer appetite by presenting strong risk controls and evidence
- Get faster quotes with fewer questions and clearer underwriting decisions
- Ensure claims are smoother by matching policy structure to real-world loss scenarios
Compliance & Regulations
Many electrical manufacturers face compliance requirements from customers, auditors, landlords and lenders. Insurance is not a substitute for compliance, but aligning policy structure and documentation with your obligations helps reduce friction and risk.
- Customer audit requirements and approved supplier obligations
- Contractual insurance limits and certificate requirements
- Health & safety duties for machinery, fumes, chemicals and manual handling
- Security requirements tied to theft cover conditions
- Quality documentation retention and traceability expectations
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What’s the most common mistake electrical manufacturers make with insurance?
Underinsurance is a major issue — especially on stock, plant and business interruption. The second common problem is assuming “standard” liability cover matches contract requirements and export territories. A structured checklist reduces both risks by aligning sums insured, BI figures, limits and policy wording with how you actually operate.
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How do I choose the right business interruption indemnity period?
Think beyond repairs. Consider rebuild time, replacement lead times for plant, re-commissioning, process re-qualification, customer approvals, and the time it takes to ramp output back to normal. Many manufacturing businesses need 12–24 months, sometimes longer, depending on premises and supply chain complexity.
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Do I need professional indemnity if I’m a manufacturer?
It depends on your role. If you provide design input, specification advice, application engineering, testing guidance, or integration support, PI may be relevant. If you purely manufacture to customer drawings and do not provide advice, PI may be less critical — but contracts can still create expectations. We’ll review how you operate and advise on the right structure.
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What information helps underwriters quote fastest?
Clear product descriptions and end markets, accurate sums insured, a realistic BI figure and indemnity period, details of premises protections (fire/security), claims history, and export territories. Photos and a short summary of your QA/testing controls can also materially speed up underwriting and improve terms.
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Does products liability cover product recalls or batch rework?
Products liability is designed primarily for legal liability following bodily injury or third-party property damage, subject to policy terms and exclusions. Costs to withdraw, replace, rectify or rework your own product are often treated differently and may require specialist recall/rectification cover where available and suitable for the risk.
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How often should I update my sums insured and checklist?
At least annually at renewal, and immediately after major changes: new premises, increased stock, new machinery, a major new contract, export expansion, process changes, or significant turnover growth. Keeping the checklist updated reduces the risk of gaps and makes claims smoother.
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Can Insure24 help with tender insurance requirements and wording requests?
Yes. Share the tender clauses early and we’ll help structure limits, territories and policy wording to meet requirements where possible, subject to underwriting. Early review avoids last-minute issues and helps prevent you buying unnecessary cover while still meeting contract demands.