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PROPERTY INSURANCE THAT KEEPS YOUR FABRICATION BUSINESS MOVING
Why Workshop, Factory & Property Insurance Matters
Metal fabrication and manufacturing premises are exposed to higher-than-average property risks. Hot works, grinding, cutting, welding gases, extraction systems, flammable liquids, electrical loads, and heavy machinery all increase the chance of fire and severe loss. Add to that the value of stock (steel sections, plate, sheet, fixings), specialist tools, jigs, fixtures, welders, compressors and production equipment, and the financial impact of an incident can be huge.
Workshop, factory and property insurance (often arranged as part of a combined or packaged policy) is designed to protect your premises and the assets you rely on to trade. It can also include business interruption cover, helping to protect your income if you’re forced to stop work after an insured event such as fire, flood or theft.
Insure24 arranges tailored property cover for metal fabricators, ensuring your risk profile is presented correctly to insurers and your policy reflects real-world fabrication operations.
What Does Workshop, Factory & Property Insurance Cover?
Cover can be arranged as a standalone property policy or as part of a combined metal fabrication insurance package. The key is to insure the right things, at the right values, with terms that make sense for fabrication risks.
- Buildings – cover for your workshop/factory structure (including landlord’s fixtures where applicable).
- Contents – benches, racking, extraction, compressors, office contents and general equipment.
- Machinery & Plant – optional cover for fabrication machinery and production equipment (subject to underwriting).
- Stock & Materials – steel, plate, sheet, consumables and stored materials.
- Tools & Portable Equipment – welders, grinders, hand tools, gauges and specialist kit.
- Theft – forced entry theft from premises (and other theft options depending on risk).
- Flood / Escape of Water – optional cover depending on location and risk controls.
- Business Interruption – protects turnover/profit and fixed costs after insured damage.
- Loss of Rent – if you’re a landlord or have rental exposure (where relevant).
Common Property Risks in Fabrication Workshops & Factories
Fabrication premises combine ignition sources, heavy equipment and high-value stock. Insurers will look closely at your controls, housekeeping, hot works management and electrical safety.
- Fire risk from welding, grinding, cutting, hot works and sparks
- Electrical faults from high-load machinery, extraction and compressors
- Theft of tools, copper, equipment or stock
- Flood and escape of water (particularly in industrial estates)
- Storm and impact damage (roller shutters, roofs, cladding)
- Arson and malicious damage (especially out-of-hours exposure)
- Business interruption after insured damage
- Damage to jigs/fixtures causing production delays
Getting Your Sums Insured Right
Underinsurance is one of the biggest problems with property policies. If your buildings, contents, machinery or stock are not insured for the right values, a claim payment can be reduced. Fabrication businesses often underestimate replacement costs for specialist kit, extraction systems, compressors, racking and jigs/fixtures, as well as the time it takes to get back to full production.
We’ll help you think through the values that matter, including worst-case stock levels (busy periods), new-for-old replacement and how long it would realistically take to restart after a serious incident.
Typical Sums Insured to Consider
- Buildings reinstatement value (not the market value)
- Contents including extraction, compressors, office kit and racking
- Machinery and production equipment replacement costs
- Stock/materials peak values (steel, plate, consumables)
- Portable tools and specialist equipment
- Business interruption indemnity period (e.g., 12–24 months)
Business Interruption: The Cover People Miss
A fire or flood can stop trading long after the physical repairs are complete. Business interruption insurance can help cover loss of gross profit (or revenue, depending on the basis), continuing expenses, and extra costs to keep operating.
- Loss of gross profit / revenue following insured damage
- Additional increased cost of working (AICOW)
- Wages options (protect key staff retention)
- Indemnity periods aligned to real restart timelines
- Supplier / utility interruption options (where available)
Why Choose Insure24
Fabrication property risks are specialist. Insurers need a clear picture of your operations: hot works controls, housekeeping, fire protection, security, and the nature of your stock and equipment. We help you present the risk properly to access the right markets and achieve competitive terms.
- Specialist advice for fabrication workshops and factories
- Access to insurers who understand hot works and engineering risks
- Combined packages available (property + liability + tools)
- Support with sums insured and business interruption planning
- Fast quotes and clear documentation
- Claims support and practical guidance if there’s a loss
“We had a theft loss at our workshop. Insure24 helped us get the right cover in place and supported us through the claim.”
Workshop Manager, UK Metal FabricatorPROTECT YOUR PREMISES
- Fire, theft, flood and storm damage to your workshop or factory
- Loss or damage to machinery, extraction, compressors and equipment
- Steel stock, materials and consumables at your premises
- The cost of restarting trading after insured damage
- Business interruption – protecting profit/revenue and fixed costs
Risk Management & Insurer Requirements
Insurers often request evidence of practical controls to reduce fire and theft risk in fabrication premises. Strong controls can improve acceptance and pricing.
- Hot works procedures, permits and housekeeping
- Fire extinguishers, alarms, and (where applicable) sprinklers
- Electrical inspections and maintenance records
- Secure locks, shutters, alarms and CCTV
- Stock storage, waste control and combustible separation
- Extraction system cleaning and maintenance
- Out-of-hours security and keyholder arrangements
- Documented risk assessments and training
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What is workshop and factory property insurance?
It’s insurance designed to protect your fabrication premises and assets such as buildings, contents, stock and equipment against risks like fire, theft, flood and storm. It can also include business interruption to protect income after an insured loss.
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Does property insurance cover welding and hot works risks?
Insurers will often ask about hot works controls and may apply conditions or terms based on your processes. Clear disclosure of welding/cutting activities and strong risk controls (permits, housekeeping, extinguishers) helps achieve appropriate cover and pricing.
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What’s the difference between buildings and contents insurance?
Buildings covers the structure (walls, roof, permanent fixtures). Contents covers items inside such as racking, extraction systems, compressors, office equipment and general workshop equipment. Many businesses need both.
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Is business interruption really necessary?
For many fabricators, yes. Property cover repairs damage, but business interruption helps protect profit/revenue and fixed costs while you’re unable to trade. It can be the difference between surviving a major loss and long-term cashflow problems.
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How do I set the correct sums insured?
Buildings should be insured on reinstatement cost (rebuild), not market value. Contents, machinery and stock should be insured on a realistic new-for-old replacement basis, including peak stock levels. We can help you review values during the quote process.
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Can I combine property cover with liability and tools insurance?
Yes. Many metal fabrication businesses arrange combined packages including public/products liability, employers’ liability, property, tools, contract works and business interruption in one policy to reduce gaps and simplify renewals.